Intel gathering

A critical top secret intel network needs to evolve

Military leaders are questioning what the next generation of the global top secret network might be.
Despite the fact that the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System — the network used to share and discuss top secret information — is one of the best information tools the military and intelligence community have, it is being used far beyond its original intent.
Officials speaking at the DoDIIS conference Aug. 13 articulated that the JWICS was originally just for analysis and intelligence production by the IC.
Today, “it’s found its way into every element of our operations,” Gen. John Hyten, commander of Strategic Command, said. “In my command it’s a critical tool because it’s the conduit for intel assessments and reports that come to every decision the command [makes] … A lot of our command-and-control functions go through JWICS.”