Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 09/2009

The Role of Private Corporations in the Intelligence Community

Eric Rosenbach

July 2009

Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University

Abstract

Over the past several years, significant debate has emerged regarding the role that the private sector plays in national security operations. Since 9/11, the Intelligence Community has relied heavily on private contractors for many different types of support. Given the historic and growing ties between the Intelligence Community and private corporations, the 111th Congress will likely need to assess the overall value of this relationship. This memo provides members of Congress and their staffs with an overview of the role of private corporations working with and within the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC).