CIA Isn't “Spooked” by Wiki Security Issues

It seems that most early stage discussions with clients about the role that a Wiki might play in their organizational toolbox inevitably hit a bump-in-the-road around questions of control…

* Who is going to monitor the quality of entries?
* How to do we ensure appropriate entries?
* This all sounds totally out-of-control!

In short, the risks seen in bottom-up collaboration often seem out-sized compared to the potential rewards.

Well, you think that these issues loom large behind your corporate firewall? By contrast, where would you think the Central Intelligence Agency would come down on any measures of "high needs for control"?

As detailed in this April, 2009 Time Magazine article the CIA has created "Intellipedia" – a Wiki that is "transforming the way American spy agencies handle top secret information." This Wiki for spies now has more than 100,000 user accounts and sees about 5,000 page edits a day.

Was it easy to introduce these open, collaborative tools into a command-and-control culture? As Don Burke, one of the CIA staffers who promoted the Intellipedia idea internally says, "There’s been pushback throughout the whole process." But the team pressed on and the successes have been outstanding:

In just two days, agency-wide guidelines were rapidly developed to address the use of chlorine in improvised explosive devices - and, within minutes of the news breaking, a page was up and collecting insight on the Mumbai terror attacks.

Hmmm, something to keep in mind when you run into resistance within your own corporate culture. No matter how tight things might look, it’s hard to imagine that you’re facing a culture more rigid than the CIA! Now there's a success story you can use here to help make your case…

To Wiki or Not To Wiki, To Me There is No Question

Each day I see more in the press regarding the value and use of Web 2.0 technology. There is one element of that technology that really stirs my interest, "the wiki." Why you ask is a wiki of such interest? Well, it is quite simple really. Wikis allow us to gather insights and expertise from those with whom we work, socialize, or consult.

If today I had a resource where I could go and search all the great advice and expertise that I have received from my mentors, managers, and clients, I would be very grateful. While of course much of the wisdom imparted upon me over the last 10+ years is in my head now, it never hurts to have a quick way to look something up and verify that my brain is still functioning on par. Also, when I have a colleague that asks "how did you know to take that approach" or "what would you recommend that I try in this situation" or "my client has this challenge," it would be so wonderful to have a discussion with that colleague and then be able to point them to a knowledge-rich resource where the expertise I have leveraged is also available to him or her at any time.

When I think of how much wisdom is kept in the heads of professionals--and how much walks out the door when they leave an organization, the use of a wiki to capture and share it, just seems to be a no-brainer. But hey, that could just be my opinion-what is yours?

The Philosophy of Learn 2.0

Learn 2.0 is an evolution that is taking us from a static and linear experience to a more dynamic and free-form experience that encourages sharing and collaborative learning.

Newer web technologies such as wikis, collaborative workspaces, blogs, and business-related social networks have made it easier than ever before to mimic the way we learn in our everyday lives. They provide us with the ability to choose how and when we learn instead of always following a pre-defined path of learning that doesn’t always provide the information we need at the time we need it.

Philosopher’s may debate whether we have the free-will to make choices in our lives or whether our lives are pre-determined, but Learn 2.0’s flexibility allows us to decide our own path and all roads lead to more effective learning and retention.