Think Tank Meeting 6 Dec 2005
Summary:
Prior to the meeting, members reviewed an article by Ross Stapleton-Gray, Ph.D., CISSP entitled “Watchin’ the Analyst.” The full text of this article is available in appendix A, at the end of this text. Discussion Points are as follows:
1. Right to privacy and clearances: What expectation of privacy should a person granted a clearance have?
a. The analysts agree that persons who are awarded clearances necessarily give up some expectation of privacy. The questionare (EPSQ- SF 86) of a clearance investigation is by nature a declaration that the subject of the investigation has nothing to hide.
2. Compartmentalization: Restrictions across compartmental lines may encourage unofficial venues of communication (i.e. Blogs, Chat rooms).
a. Compartmentalization has traditionally and in contemparay times been viewed as intrinsic to securty. In post 9/11 days compartmentalization has been frowned upon. Decenters have sighted lack of inter-agency communication and accessibility as a significant contributor to intelligence professionals' failure to predict the attacks of September 11, 2001. As the Stapleton article points out compartmentalization also promote back channel communication by intel professionals.
Minutes of Think Tank Meeting 6 Dec 2005:
1. Meet and Greet
2. Members in attendance:
a. Professor Hoff, Director of Mercyhurst Psych Dept
b. Halen Allison, Student Director of Research, Intel Studies Dept
c. Lance Ramsey, Intel Studies Dept
d. Mark Blair, Intel Studies Dept
2. Discussion: Members discussed the problems and logistics of teaching a class derived from a curriculum for the psychology of intelligence analysis.
a. (Prof Hoff) The Psych Dept has a limited faculty.
b. (Mark Blair) Although at this early juncture the only official feedback we have gotten for the potential curriculum is that it will definitely be considered for an elective. However, from the feedback I have gotten from some of the faculty, I feel there is a definite potential for such a curriculum to become a core class of future Intel Studies Degree Programs. If it is an elective or if it becomes a core curriculum of the intel program, there will be a lot of students, and we may have an easier time justifying dedicating limited faculty to teach the course.
c. (Halen Allison) ~This is not the only utility for a class such as this. A five-day seminar over the summer may prove fruitful. Such a seminar could be taught to, not only, Intel students, but may also attract analysts from the agencies and other organizations.
d. (Mark Blair & Prof Hoof [in a later conversation]) (Hoff) ~We may bear more fruit to our efforts if we are able to appeal to other programs. If the title of the curriculum “the Psychology of Judgment and Decision-making” we may receive offering from other programs like anthropology, philosophy etc. (Mark Blair) There is a bit of a marketing mentality to my thoughts. I am even thinking there may be some interest in the political science dept. I believe the more appeal for this class we can produce, the more successful our efforts will be.
e. (Mark Blair) I am planning to either produce a news letter or briefings on a weekly basis to communicate the findings of the think tank meeting to the faculty of the intel department and allow them a redirect line of communication between the intel dept and the think tank. With the direct feedback and guidance of the intel faculty we may be able economize our efforts. (Prof Hoff) ~What about setting up a blog? A blog may make it easier for us all to communicate and reduce the amount of time individual members must dedicate to the production of briefing products.
Prior to the meeting, members reviewed an article by Ross Stapleton-Gray, Ph.D., CISSP entitled “Watchin’ the Analyst.” The full text of this article is available in appendix A, at the end of this text. Discussion Points are as follows:
1. Right to privacy and clearances: What expectation of privacy should a person granted a clearance have?
a. The analysts agree that persons who are awarded clearances necessarily give up some expectation of privacy. The questionare (EPSQ- SF 86) of a clearance investigation is by nature a declaration that the subject of the investigation has nothing to hide.
2. Compartmentalization: Restrictions across compartmental lines may encourage unofficial venues of communication (i.e. Blogs, Chat rooms).
a. Compartmentalization has traditionally and in contemparay times been viewed as intrinsic to securty. In post 9/11 days compartmentalization has been frowned upon. Decenters have sighted lack of inter-agency communication and accessibility as a significant contributor to intelligence professionals' failure to predict the attacks of September 11, 2001. As the Stapleton article points out compartmentalization also promote back channel communication by intel professionals.
Minutes of Think Tank Meeting 6 Dec 2005:
1. Meet and Greet
2. Members in attendance:
a. Professor Hoff, Director of Mercyhurst Psych Dept
b. Halen Allison, Student Director of Research, Intel Studies Dept
c. Lance Ramsey, Intel Studies Dept
d. Mark Blair, Intel Studies Dept
2. Discussion: Members discussed the problems and logistics of teaching a class derived from a curriculum for the psychology of intelligence analysis.
a. (Prof Hoff) The Psych Dept has a limited faculty.
b. (Mark Blair) Although at this early juncture the only official feedback we have gotten for the potential curriculum is that it will definitely be considered for an elective. However, from the feedback I have gotten from some of the faculty, I feel there is a definite potential for such a curriculum to become a core class of future Intel Studies Degree Programs. If it is an elective or if it becomes a core curriculum of the intel program, there will be a lot of students, and we may have an easier time justifying dedicating limited faculty to teach the course.
c. (Halen Allison) ~This is not the only utility for a class such as this. A five-day seminar over the summer may prove fruitful. Such a seminar could be taught to, not only, Intel students, but may also attract analysts from the agencies and other organizations.
d. (Mark Blair & Prof Hoof [in a later conversation]) (Hoff) ~We may bear more fruit to our efforts if we are able to appeal to other programs. If the title of the curriculum “the Psychology of Judgment and Decision-making” we may receive offering from other programs like anthropology, philosophy etc. (Mark Blair) There is a bit of a marketing mentality to my thoughts. I am even thinking there may be some interest in the political science dept. I believe the more appeal for this class we can produce, the more successful our efforts will be.
e. (Mark Blair) I am planning to either produce a news letter or briefings on a weekly basis to communicate the findings of the think tank meeting to the faculty of the intel department and allow them a redirect line of communication between the intel dept and the think tank. With the direct feedback and guidance of the intel faculty we may be able economize our efforts. (Prof Hoff) ~What about setting up a blog? A blog may make it easier for us all to communicate and reduce the amount of time individual members must dedicate to the production of briefing products.
posted by markcblair at 10:41 PM
1 Comments:
I would encourage the idea that a course on "The Psychology of Judgment and Decision-Making" would be a core/required course in an Intelligence Studies program. Thinking about thinking is important in order to improve analytical approach/technique. One cannot perform as a serious analyst--unless one is a natural genius in this endeavor--without at least an awareness of potential traps and opportunities given particular outlooks/methods of enquiry, and--especially for the intelligence analyst--influences on the analytical process.
--emw
Post a Comment
<< Home