Technology Is Central To CIA's Strategic Plan

The CIA announced a five-year strategic plan that would invest heavily in new technologies to combat nontraditional threats such as cyber attacks from overseas and gain better intelligence on rogue states.

The plan announced Monday also provides for quickly "surging" large numbers of Central Intelligence Agency officers to hot spots, such as the Pakistan's tribal areas or East Africa. Past agency plans haven't provided for such war-time demands. The moves reflect an effort to bolster agency operations and analysis without causing too much disruption, CIA veterans said. Although historically there has been tension between the CIA and the Pentagon, this plan aligns the two agencies' priorities, the veterans said. However, at an agency that has had five directors in the past six years, it might be difficult for CIA Director Leon Panetta to ensure follow-through on a long-term initiative.