CIA Task Force on Leaks (2002)
March 3rd, 2008 by Steven AftergoodAlthough there is no foolproof system of preventing unauthorized disclosures of classified information (“leaks”), there are a variety of new technical tools that can deter such disclosures or facilitate identification of those who compromise information security, according a 2002 CIA Task Force Report that was released last year under the Freedom of Information Act.
See “Interagency Task Force Report on Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information” (pdf), CIA Directorate of Science and Technology, 25 March 2002.
A supplementary paper argued that new legislation against leaks was “urgently needed.” The author singled out the National Security Archive and the Federation of American Scientists for propagating the “popular myth that the government over-classifies everything, and classifies way too much.” See “Leaks: How Unauthorized Media Disclosures of US Classified Intelligence Damage Sources and Methods” (pdf), Foreign Denial and Deception Committee, 24 April 2002.
The interagency process ultimately rejected the view that new legislation was needed. An October 2002 report to Congress from the Attorney General indicated that existing tools to combat leaks appeared to be adequate.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
“A supplementary paper argued that new legislation against leaks was “urgently needed.” The author…”
Would it be reasonable to speculate that redacted author of this paper once advocated sending SWAT teams into the homes of journalists associated with leaks?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Yes, that would be a reasonable surmise. The author is James B. (“SWAT Teams”) Bruce, the Vice Chairman of the Foreign Denial and Deception Committee.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I see Dr. Bruce is co-editor of and contributor to an upcoming book on intelligence analysis:
http://www.press.georgetown.edu/detail.html?id=9781589012011
Analyzing Intelligence
Origins, Obstacles, and Innovations
Edited by Roger Z. George, James B. Bruce
$29.95
ISBN: 9781589012011