Intelink
Intelink, which began testbed operation in 1994, is both an architectural framework
and an integrated intelligence dissemination and collaboration service providing uniform methods for exchanging intelligence among intelligence providers and users. The Intelink service was patterned after the Internet model in which a variety of institutions have come together in the context of a global network to share information.
Intelink was declared "the strategic direction for all intelligence dissemination" by then-DEPSECDEF Deutch and then-DCI Woolsey in August 1994, and is part of an overall effort to reduce duplication among the various agencies and services, enhance interoperability, modernize systems, and leverage the impressive developments by the commercial sector in the multimedia computing and communications fields.
The IntelLINK intelligence network links information in the various classified databases of the US intelligence agencies (e.g. FBI, CIA, DEA, NSA, USSS, NRO) to facilitate communication and the sharing of documents and other resources.
Intelink components include:
- Intelink-U (formerly known as the Open Source Information System (OSIS)
- Intelink-S
- Intelink-SCI
- Intelink-P
- Intelink-C
Intelink-S (and C2-link) Intelink-S, the secret-level variant of Intelink, has begun to expand rapidly in scope and reach. As the intelligence support medium for GCCS [Global Command and Control System] and law enforcement activities, Intelink-S is expected to become the principal growth area for intelligence products and services. Its customer base will be extraordinarily diverse, eventually encompassing all areas of U.S. government operations that can benefit from integrated intelligence support and collaboration.
Intelink URLs take the form of (for example):
http://www.nrad.navy.ic.gov
http://www.server.daro.ic.gov
Sources and Methods
- Intelink: The Intelligence Community's Classified Internet by Randy C. Marks, Senior Technical Advisor, Intelink Service Management Center (1.3 MB PowerPoint presentation)
- Directory of Intelink Servers as of 03 May 1998
- The Rapid Expansion of Intelink Prepared remarks by Emmett Paige Jr., assistant secretary of defense for command, control, communications and intelligence, to the Intelink Mission Support Conference, San Diego, June 11, 1996.
- SUBJ/ BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (BDA) REFERENCE BOOK ON INTELINK FM JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J2T//
- TOP SECRET INTRANET How U.S. Intelligence Built INTELINK - The World's Largest, Most Secure Network -- An inside look at the U.S. Intelligence Community's worldwide, super-secure intranet, and the never-before-published story of Intelink
http://www.fas.org/irp/program/disseminate/intelink.htm
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Created by John Pike
Updated March 31, 2003
