During his recent confirmation hearing, Admiral Dennis Blair, the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI), derided the current classification system, which promotes over-classification of intelligence-related information. He discussed the need for a cultural change in the intelligence dissemination process that includes new training for analysts and greater accountability.

The problem of over-classification is a long-standing issue that has been addressed by many groups. In 2007, Mark Agrast of the Center for American Progress testified before Congress that too much secrecy, "whether through over-classification or through pseudo-classification—conceals our vulnerabilities until it is too late to correct them." However, despite awareness of the problem, little action has been taken by either Congress or the executive branch to resolve the issue. Blair's testimony may signal a new opportunity to address the issue.

In his response to pre-confirmation hearing questions, Blair said that "we need a classification system that adequately protects information that requires protection, e.g. intelligence sources and methods, but at the same time allows such information to be shared as needed among agencies of the intelligence community." To accomplish this, Blair proposed requiring intelligence analysts to be trained in report writing that removes references to sources and methods so that information could more easily be shared between intelligence agencies. Such actions could help the federal government more effectively share its intelligence with state and local governments without barriers caused by document control labels. Such labels often delay the vital transmission of information to those who need to be informed.

Shifting the Culture of Intelligence

In his answers, Blair also declared the need for a shift in intelligence community culture. He called for increased incentives for the creation of intelligence reports that can be made as widely available as possible. A major problem plaguing the current system, Blair stated, is that "there are many penalties for those who disclose classified information and few rewards for those who take the additional effort to write at lower levels of classification." Blair recognized that intelligence information should eventually become part of the nation’s historical record and that it should be systematically reviewed for disclosure 25 years after classification.

Further, Blair took an expansive view of the role of the DNI. Among the DNI's responsibilities is providing strategic intelligence to policymakers, but the DNI must also meet the needs of "front-line officers of the Department of Homeland Security and state and local law officials." Blair promised to use his authority to encourage combined actions of intelligence agencies to accomplish common missions. Intelligence agencies are not known for such cooperative attitudes. The lack of cooperation and information sharing between various agencies were among the problems highlighted by the 9/11 Commission.

21st Century Intelligence in Democracy

Blair outlined his desire to regain and retain the public trust in intelligence activities, as well. He stated, "The American people are uncomfortable with government activities that do not take place in the open, subject to public scrutiny and review." While the activities of intelligence officers must be secret to be effective, he promised to work candidly with oversight committees and to operate in a manner consistent with the Constitution and the rule of law.

Specifically, Blair addressed the issues of surveillance, detention, and interrogation policies, for which the Bush administration received severe criticism. Blair took clear stances against the use of torture and surveillance activities that circumvent established processes for authorization. He declared torture immoral, illegal, and not effective. Moreover, he called for clear standards for humane treatment in detention and interrogation programs. Working with oversight committees of Congress will be critical in establishing public reassurance that effective accountability exists over these policies.

Repeat Business

Past occupants of the DNI position have attempted to address some of the themes concerning increased information sharing. In the weeks before his departure, outgoing DNI Michael McConnell called for measures to utilize technology to increase information sharing among federal intelligence agencies. These efforts are somewhat similar to the DNI's experimentation with the creation of a cross-agency wiki, Intellipedia, in 2006 that was immediately met with agency resistance.

What appears to be unique to Blair's approach is the focus on cultural change within the intelligence community. While McConnell and previous DNIs worked to maximize agency access to information at the federal level, changing the way officials view their mission and the intelligence dissemination process will make intelligence more useful to those who need it on the ground.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) remarked that Blair "will inherit an intelligence community that has been beset by major failures and controversy over the past ten years."