HLSS3

The Edward Snowden Affect to Intelligence Gathering

In June 2013, American became aware of mass surveillance methods use by the intelligence community to track Americans. The disclosure was led by former Na�onal Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden and was considered the largest public release of classified informa�on in U.S. intelligence history.

In August 2014, the House Permanent Select Commi�ee on Intelligence conducted a comprehensive review of the documents. Congress examined the intelligence gathering methods and the security shor�alls in the documents as well as how Snowden was able to obtain 1.5 million classified documents from secure NSA networks, and publicly released the informa�on without the intelligence community’s knowledge. It also examined any poten�al affects the release may cause to na�onal security. Review the congressional hearings and findings. See Execu�ve Summary of Review of the Unauthorized Disclosures of Former Na�onal Security Agency Contractor Edward Snowden

It remains to be seen the full range of the impact the disclosure of these leaks will have on the public percep�on and na�onal security. It is important that for our academic purposes that we fully examine, “what is intelligence and how do we collect intelligence and who is responsible for collec�on, gathering and sharing the informa�on.”