Open Source Intelligence & Academia Unite for National Security: A Conversation with the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities, Charles Luftig

January 7, 2025

Building Bridges: How ODNI and UVA are Shaping the Future of National Security

Charles Luftig, Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities, delves into the details of the newly established partnership between the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the University of Virginia (UVA) to create the National Security Data and Policy Institute. This collaboration aims to integrate expertise in data science, policy, and national security to address critical challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Charles explains how this partnership stems from ODNI’s broader strategy to diversify and expand its relationships beyond traditional state-to-state or NATO frameworks, focusing on partnerships with academia and the private sector. He highlights the importance of open-source data and unclassified information in advancing national security, emphasizing that starting with open-source projects will not only allow for greater transparency but also enable broader collaboration and innovation.

Charles provides insights into how the Institute will bridge the gap between the intelligence community and academia, leveraging UVA's strengths in data science and its growing focus on national security. He outlines how this collaboration will enable ODNI to gain fresh perspectives and insights while also exposing university researchers and students to the critical work of the intelligence community. He discusses the strategic and congressional support that brought this vision to life, including backing from oversight leaders like Senator Mark Warner. 

Addressing the operational aspects, Charles details how the ODNI Chief Data Officer’s office is leading the effort to gather and prioritize requirements across the intelligence community, ensuring that the projects undertaken by the Institute align with the mission and deliver meaningful outcomes. Early deliverables will include shorter-term projects to build processes and muscle memory, alongside longer-term initiatives designed to address complex, data-driven challenges. Metrics for success will be grounded in the work’s ability to meet predefined requirements and generate actionable insights.

Charles also highlights the broader significance of this initiative as a model for future collaborations with academia and other non-governmental entities. While ODNI has engaged in other academic partnerships, such as the IC Centers of Excellence Program, this institute represents a novel approach by directly leveraging academic expertise for mission-critical tasks. He underscores that this partnership aligns with the intelligence community’s overarching priorities, including resilience and enhanced protection of critical infrastructure, through expanded collaboration and information sharing with non-traditional partners. By fostering innovation and transparency, Charles envisions this institute as a critical step toward modernizing how the intelligence community engages with external stakeholders to address the evolving national security landscape.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Charles highlights the institute’s focus on open-source data to promote transparency and foster collaboration. By using largely unclassified information, ODNI can share results more broadly, harness external innovation, and prove the value of open-source intelligence in addressing national security challenges.  
   
   
2. The partnership between ODNI and UVA is a unique collaboration, merging the university’s expertise in data science and policy with the intelligence community’s mission. This interdisciplinary effort is designed to address critical national security challenges while fostering a deeper connection between academia and the intelligence community.  
   
   
3. This collaboration reflects a broader effort by ODNI to expand its partnerships beyond traditional state actors. By engaging with academia and private sector experts, the intelligence community aims to enhance resilience, innovate solutions, and adapt to the evolving national security landscape.