A recent report by the Defense Innovation Board on Lowering Barriers to Innovation outlines recommendations for the defense innovation ecosystem in seven key areas:
- Leadership
- Security
- Software Strategy
- Contracting Processes
- Aligning Government and Industry Processes
- Enterprise License Agreements
- Dual-Use Technologies
That security is seen as a key element – and obstacle – to innovation is important. The report noted the role of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) as the nation’s largest security organization. The DIB noted DCSA lacks the authority commensurate with their responsibility. The report recommended DCSA conduct a study and make a recommendation on the realignment of authorities so DCSA can truly support the entire defense ecosystem.
The report also noted several specific areas of opportunity across the security practice, including SCIF access and management, enduring reciprocity, and NBIS upgrade or replacement.
SCIF Policies
SCIF policies are currently established through Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705, a policy the DIB noted may be out of date to address current threats and also created undue requirements preventing innovation. ICD 705 is currently managed through the NSA, and DIB suggested a collaborative effort through DCSA and NSA to create uniform standards. The issue of accreditation exists even today, with individual government agencies conducting their own accreditation, at the expense of the ability to share SCIF resources or offer SCIF as a service solutions.
Enduring Reciprocity
The second DIB recommendation involved personnel vetting, and specifically a request for enduring reciprocity through the ability of candidates to maintain their own clearance eligibility through the government’s Continuous Vetting (CV) program. DCSA is currently able to maintain candidates in a Trusted Workforce 1.5 CV program for $72 per year. The DIB recommends allowing candidates to sponsor their own CV eligibility, creating greater market elasticity in the cleared workforce and the creation of a type of ‘clearance ready reserve’ concept that has been discussed for years. Rather than an individual dropping out of eligibility due to a break in service due to education, family circumstances or a stint in the commercial sector, through CV candidates could opt to remain eligible even during these ‘gaps’ in cleared work.
NBIS Upgrade or Replacement
NBIS has been in the hot seat, as the program has faced numerous delays on the road to implementation. The report advised, “If NBIS is determined to be insufficient, obsolete, or cost / time prohibitive, fund NBIS as much as is needed to continue DCSA operations, with any additional or future funding to be allocated, including associated cost and schedule, to research and development on an altogether new system.”
The fact that approximately five years into its implementation, scrapping NBIS is on the table is a sign of how beleaguered the program development is. NBIS is currently a part of a ‘recovery effort’ to get the program back on track.
That security and innovation go hand in hand is an important understanding. The success of the defense mission depends on a security framework that protects what needs to be protected but doesn’t prevent innovation or stifle opportunity. The DIB report notes several key areas where new action, ideas, and policies can help propel the security operation forward.
