Fostering Innovation in the Intelligence Community - Scientifically-Informed Solutions to Combat a Dynamic Threat Environment

In response to the increasingly ubiquitous, asynchronous, and pervasive use of cyber technology in everyday life, unique threats to cybersecurity (CS) have emerged requiring innovative and systemic solutions. Of the potential threats, Ubiquitous Technical Surveillance (UTS) presents one of the most acute generalized vulnerabilities facing the broader Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Defense (DoD), and United States Government. While security systems and networks have attempted to adapt to meet these evolving threats, internal organizational structures, culture, and human behavior often lag behind due to the inherent challenges in changing these dynamic variables. It is crucial that scientific disciplines identify systemic and innovative behavioral countermeasures that are informed by sub-disciplines of the psychology and CS literature. Innovative strategies involve collaboration amongst experts from the domains of social psychology, game theory, Bayesian statistics, and the IC, which will be discussed in-depth. A special issue that pulls from cross-disciplinary professionals will have a broad impact for the IC and DOD eliciting wide readership and spurring needed innovation.

_____________________________________________________________________

'Cultivating a culture of innovation, though difficult, is important for any enduring organization. It's downright essential for the US Intelligence Community, which must stay one step ahead of adversaries on surveillance technologies and tradecraft to be effective. This collection of articles brings together insightful research and analysis from diverse domains, moving us closer to the deeper appreciation of innovation and culture that is so urgently needed.'

David Priess, Ph.D., former Central Intelligence Agency officer and author, The President's Book of Secrets

Craig Gruber, PhD, is on the faculty of American University, where he is Research Associate Professor and Director of the Decision Sciences Laboratory.  Previously he served as the Associate Vice-president for Innovation Campus Programs at Northeastern University. He has written on courage and presented nationally and internationally on security, intelligence, and forensic science. He developed Northeastern University's master's degree programs in Homeland Security and Strategic Intelligence and Analysis and is Director of Operations for Image Insight Inc. Dr. Gruber is on the Board of Visitors of The Hill School, and he also serves on the board of the International Association for Intelligence Education, where he is the Treasurer. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Theoretical Psychology and has written introductory psychology textbooks and numerous articles.

Benjamin Trachik, Ph.D., currently serves as the Chief of Clinical Psychology Research for the U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-West, a forward directorate of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). Prior to enlisting in the Army, Dr. Trachik worked as a licensed clinical psychologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs where he received several certifications in empirically supported treatments for PTSD and engaged in related research efforts. As a principal investigator, he has received millions of dollars in research funding to execute research studies designed to optimize the cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning of Soldiers. These studies are in the areas of suicide prevention, leadership strategy, and organizational reform with the goal of improving Soldier psychological health and wellbeing. Dr. Trachik maintains a robust publication record in the areas of suicide, PTSD, and leadership and engages in active collaborations with government organizations, universities, and private industry. Dr. Trachik also works closely with the Army Resilience Directorate developing and evaluating tangible products for Army-wide training and translating research into actionable strategies to improve Soldier wellbeing. Dr. Trachik currently serves as an ad hoc reviewer for multiple scientific journals and as a subject matter expert on several WRAIR research initiatives, military working groups, and unit-directed consultations.