The scientific research efforts of the U.S. intelligence community are poorly coordinated, and agencies have struggled to develop adequate defenses against emerging threats including cyber-attacks, according to a national commission that released its findings Tuesday.
One of the panel's central conclusions was that U.S. spy agencies pursue often-competing research agendas, with no overarching strategy to make sure that spending and resources are being aimed at the most critical U.S. intelligence needs.
"The commission found that there is inadequate (research and development) planning and inadequate awareness" among spy agencies of how their resources are deployed, according to the report, which was assembled by a team of lawmakers, current and former U.S. officials, and academic researchers.