'Google-like' System to Link US Intelligence Agencies

Overhaul includes databases, email

By Sarah Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2009 8:00 AM CST

(Newser) – The computer databases of the 16 US intelligence agencies soon will be linked, the Wall Street Journal reports. The system comes nearly 5 years after the spy agencies got heat for failing to "connect the dots" before the Sept. 11 attacks. Analysts will be able to search through secret files the same way civilians can search public data on the Internet.

Right now, analysts have access to only about 5% of the documents relevant to a particular subject; the new system will up that to 95%. It also includes a unified email system and social-networking features. The bulk of the program should be up and running by the end of the year; it will be overseen by Dennis Blair, the president's pick for intelligence director.

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Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell appears on "Fox News Sunday" on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/FOX News Sunday, Freddie Lee)

The first stage of the initiative is to merge the email systems of the six largest intelligence agencies. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

President Barack Obama listens as Director of National Intelligence-designate Dennis Blair speaks during a news conference in Washington on Jan. 9, 2009. His confirmation hearing is today. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

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There really is a very different spirit about doing all these things than there was.
- Mike McConnell, the outgoing national intelligence director

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'Google-like' System to Link US Intelligence Agencies