Dear Intelligence Professional:

As part of an ongoing series exploring issues of significance to the Intelligence Community and national security, the AFCEA Fall Intelligence Symposium will explore the topic of information sharing and collaboration. 

In his “One Hundred Day Plan,” Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell emphasized the importance of this topic: “To serve better the national and our principal customers – from the President, the Congress, and the warfighter to state, and local authorities – the IC must become more agile and effective by enhancing integration and collaboration.”  He acknowledged that progress has been made, but that much more needs to be done.

To help evaluate the challenges and opportunities in this area, the AFCEA Fall Intelligence Symposium will review the status of efforts to enhance information sharing and collaboration.  Four focused sessions will address what has worked, what has not worked, and what still needs to be done.  Specifically, the first session will look at information sharing and collaboration in the military environment.  The second session will focus on Intelligence Community agencies.  Session three will look at issues in the federal, state and local arena, using the National Capital Region as a case study.  In the final session, technologists and users will add their perspectives on the technology, policy, and cultural issues that enhance or impede information sharing and collaboration.

This is a critical topic requiring changes not only within the government and Intelligence Community, but also ideas and support from the private sector.

We hope you will join us in the National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly VA, on October 17-18, 2007, for this important dialogue.