Five Eyes Creates 'Secret Cloud', Reports Say
The technology is said to enable intelligence agencies from the US, Canada, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia to exchange data. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance is reportedly exploring the development of a highly confidential cloud environment to facilitate data sharing among its members, according to a report from Breaking Defense on Tuesday.
At a recent Department of Defense Intelligence Information System conference, officials from the alliance’s member nations—including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia—have allegedly reached a consensus that this technology could “turn information technology interoperability into a reality.”
The envisioned cloud would enable the information stored within it to be “tagged” with metadata, aiding in the identification of the sources of intelligence, as noted by Brig. Gen. Eric Vandenberg, who oversees the general intelligence enterprise for the Canadian Department of National Defense.
“Not only would this cloud be a Top Secret cloud, but it would be classification agnostic as well, because the data is all tagged, because all of my users all have the correct digital identities, I can store all the data in the cloud. Everyone can access what they’re allowed to access when they’re allowed to access it. It would enable interoperability,” Vandenberg stated during the DODIIS conference this week.
Jack Maxton, the chief information officer for defense intelligence at the British Ministry of Defense, has also shown optimism about establishing such a network and emphasized the need to reduce “unnecessary bureaucracy” within the intelligence-sharing group.
“[Bureaucratic restrictions] are adding very little value, either to our security or to our intelligence mission, but because they’ve been there for so long, we’ve just got really, really comfortable,” Maxton remarked.
Despite this enthusiasm, Breaking Defense cites Brig. Andrew McBaron, director general of intelligence data and targeting for the Australian Department of Defense, indicating that discussions about the cloud remain at a preliminary stage and describe it as an “ambitious” goal for now. While no specific timeline has been proposed for the network's launch, officials reportedly believe its eventual implementation would “transform” collaboration among the member agencies.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
At a recent Department of Defense Intelligence Information System conference, officials from the alliance’s member nations—including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia—have allegedly reached a consensus that this technology could “turn information technology interoperability into a reality.”
The envisioned cloud would enable the information stored within it to be “tagged” with metadata, aiding in the identification of the sources of intelligence, as noted by Brig. Gen. Eric Vandenberg, who oversees the general intelligence enterprise for the Canadian Department of National Defense.
“Not only would this cloud be a Top Secret cloud, but it would be classification agnostic as well, because the data is all tagged, because all of my users all have the correct digital identities, I can store all the data in the cloud. Everyone can access what they’re allowed to access when they’re allowed to access it. It would enable interoperability,” Vandenberg stated during the DODIIS conference this week.
Jack Maxton, the chief information officer for defense intelligence at the British Ministry of Defense, has also shown optimism about establishing such a network and emphasized the need to reduce “unnecessary bureaucracy” within the intelligence-sharing group.
“[Bureaucratic restrictions] are adding very little value, either to our security or to our intelligence mission, but because they’ve been there for so long, we’ve just got really, really comfortable,” Maxton remarked.
Despite this enthusiasm, Breaking Defense cites Brig. Andrew McBaron, director general of intelligence data and targeting for the Australian Department of Defense, indicating that discussions about the cloud remain at a preliminary stage and describe it as an “ambitious” goal for now. While no specific timeline has been proposed for the network's launch, officials reportedly believe its eventual implementation would “transform” collaboration among the member agencies.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
