INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 101
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY POLICY SYSTEM
(EFFECTIVE 16 JANUARY 2009)
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A. AUTHORITY: The National Security Act of 1947, as amended; Executive Order (EO)
12333, as amended ; and other applicable provisions of law .
B. PURPOSE:
1 . To effectively and efficiently promulgate Intelligence Community (IC) policy, this
Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) establishes the IC Policy System which is
comprised of a hierarchy of policy documents ; processes for the development, coordination
and evaluation of policy ; and a governance structure to advise the Director of National
Intelligence (DNI) or the DNI’s designees regarding policy issues . This ICD also delegates
decision authority for the promulgation of certain policies, and delineates the roles and
responsibilities of the Office of the DNI (ODNI), IC elements, and Functional Managers, as
designated by EO 12333 or the DNI, in the implementation of the IC Policy System .
2 . This ICD rescinds Intelligence Community Policy Memorandum 2006-100-1, “The
Intelligence Community Policy Process” and supersedes all previous policies, memoranda,
or portions thereof, regarding the IC policy process .
C. APPLICABILITY: This Directive applies to the IC, as defined by the National
Security Act of 1947, as amended ; and such other elements of any other department or
agency as may be designated by the President, or designated jointly by the DNI and the head
of the department or agency concerned, as an element of the IC .
D. POLICY:
1 . The DNI shall establish IC policy to achieve a unified, integrated, effective and
accountable IC postured to address and advance IC mission objectives to meet United States
national security needs . The DNI shall establish IC policy consistent with applicable law,
Executive Order, National Security policy, and the DNI’s strategic intent .
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2. The IC Policy System shall be comprised of a hierarchy of policy instruments as
defined in Section E . 1 . These interrelated IC directives, guidelines, standards, or
correspondence, herein referred to as policies, issued by the DNI, designated ODNI
officials, Functional Managers, and other IC entities designated by the DNI are governed by
this Directive and any subordinate policies .
3. Policies shall be :
a. Developed in a collaborative manner to take into account the views of IC elements
and others as appropriate ;
b. Deconflicted with any other applicable policies or regulations ;
c. Drafted in accordance with Section E . 1, adhering to a common format and using
common terms and definitions to the greatest extent possible ;
d. Formulated to be enforceable and implementable;
e. Disseminated electronically and communicated broadly, except where restrictions
are required by the classification of the document ; and
f. Evaluated for compliance, effectiveness and improvement .
E. FRAMEWORK:
1 . The IC Policy System shall establish policies applicable to the IC using the following
instruments :
a. Intelligence Community Directive (ICD). ICDs may be based on statute,
regulation, Executive Order, or other policy directives and establish policy and provide
definitive direction to the IC . ICDs may : define activities, systems or missions ; delegate
authorities ; establish roles and responsibilities ; assign decision rights ; establish governance
structures ; include evaluation criteria ; or replace or modify previous policy, or provide other
such guidance as the DNI deems appropriate . ICDs are developed and coordinated in
accordance with ICPG 101 .1, Intelligence Community Directives and Policy Guidance and
are signed by the DNI, or, in the DNI’s absence, the Principal Deputy DNI (PDDNI) .
b. Intelligence Community Policy Guidance (ICPG) . ICPGs provide further
guidance required for the implementation of ICDs. ICPGs are subsidiary to ICDs and may
establish subordinate responsibilities, and define procedures, processes, or methodologies
that enable ICDs to be implemented effectively . ICPGs shall be within the scope of and are
consistent with their associated ICDs . ICPGs are coordinated in accordance with ICPG
101 .1 and are signed by the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy, Plans &
Requirements (DDNI/PPR) .
c. Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) . ICSs are subordinate to ICDs and
ICPGs, and are fully consistent with applicable ICDs and ICPGs . ICSs are comprised of
specific, technical procedures and specifications related to an authorized capability or
function. ICSs address the uniform implementation of a policy in a defined area . ICSs shall
be developed, coordinated and approved pursuant to ICPG 101 .2, Intelligence Community
Standards, and are signed by officials designated in Section G . 1 .c.2.
d. DNI Executive Correspondence (EC) . DNI EC focuses on issues or concerns of
the DNI that impact the IC ; communicates strategic policy intent, or preliminary approaches
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of the DNI ; may later culminate in, and contribute to, development of an ICD or ICPG . EC
may also be used by the DNI to address emerging, immediate or urgent policy needs . The
DNI or, in the DNI’s absence, the PDDNI signs all EC .
e. Functional Manager, or other IC implementing guidance . Functional Managers
or IC officials designated by the DNI, may develop, coordinate, approve and establish
subordinate implementing standards, procedures, or processes pursuant to a specific
delegation of authority by the DNI. Implementing procedures or processes are subordinate
to and fully consistent with ICDs, ICPGs, and ICSs, shall be applicable to more than one IC
element, and will be developed and coordinated in accordance with ICPG 101 .3, regarding
issuances by Functional Managers or other IC officials designated by the DNI, which will be
issued at a future date .
2. Intelligence Community Policy Memoranda (ICPMs) will no longer be issued . All
existing ICPMs will remain in effect until expressly rescinded by the DNI .
F. POLICY ADVISORY BODIES:
1 . The IC Policy System includes the following bodies, which serve an integral role in
the process of developing and coordinating IC policy :
a. Intelligence Community Policy Review Board (IC-PRB) . The IC-PRB is an
advisory board comprised of deputy-level leaders from IC elements . The IC-PRB is chaired
by the DDNI/PPR. The objective of the IC-PRB is to provide a forum for high-level issue
discussion and resolution ; to ensure that key stakeholders and constituencies have been
appropriately engaged on individual policies ; to align policies with DNI and IC strategic
objectives and intent ; and to further identify policy needs and priorities, as well as
inconsistencies or gaps in current policy .
b. Intelligence Policy Advisory Group (IPAG) . The IPAG is comprised of designated
senior policy representatives from each IC element and is chaired by the Assistant Deputy
DNI for Policy . The objective of the IPAG forum is to inform the development of policy
and ensure an inclusive and collaborative process . The IPAG shall serve as the official
channel of communication on policy matters, and each IC element is responsible for
communicating its respective policy equities and interests and identifying members for
working groups.
2. To facilitate the development and coordination of policy, the DDNI/PPR or his or her
designee may establish IC policy working groups or consult other advisors, as appropriate,
to inform decision making throughout the policy process .
G. ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES :
1. Office of the Director of National Intelligence .
a. The DNI, or PDDNI in absence of the DNI, shall:
(1) Establish, through signature, ICDs and EC ;
(2) Review and approve IC policies as required ;
(3) Establish or use advisory boards to inform or make decisions regarding
policy issues as appropriate ;
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(4) Ensure policies established under the IC Policy System are consistent with
US law, Executive Orders, Presidential Directives, and other applicable provision of law ;
and
(5) In coordination with appropriate department or agency heads, establish joint
agreements or procedures for issues which fall outside the scope of the IC Policy System,
but which may be required for the conduct of the IC mission or activities related to national
security .
b . The DDNI/PPR shall serve as the DNI’s designee for all matters pertaining to the
IC Policy System and, in accordance with ICPG 101 .1, shall :
(1) Develop ICDs and ICPGs with Accountable Officials, as established in
Section G . 1 .c .(2), and subject matter experts as appropriate ;
(2) Establish, through signature, ICPGs ;
(3) Make technical amendments to ICDs and ICPGs through memoranda ;
(4) Support ODNI elements, Functional Managers, and entities designated by
the DNI or DNI designee, in the development of ICSs or subordinate implementing policies
where applicable ;
(5) Chair the IC-PRB ;
(6) Establish working groups to inform or develop specific policies as necessary ;
(7) Ensure IC policies are consistent with Section D .3 ;
(8) Ensure IC policies are coordinated with department-level officials, when
appropriate .
(9) Oversee the implementation of this directive ; and
(10) Serve as the office of record for all IC Policy System documents and
maintain all comments, drafts and revisions as appropriate .
c . ODNI elements shall :
(1) Participate, as appropriate in the development, coordination and evaluation
of IC policies, and provide subject matter expertise to the DNI designee ; and
(2) Establish ICSs in accordance with the requirements provided in ICPG 101 .2.
(a) The Associate DNI (ADNI) and IC Chief Information Officer shall
establish ICSs related to information technology, community-level data standards,
information security, and information management issues .
(b) The ADNI and IC Chief Human Capital Officer shall establish ICSs
related to human capital and the IC workforce .
(c) The ADNI and Chief Financial Officer shall establish ICSs related to the
financial and resource management of National Intelligence Program .
(d) The DDN11PPR shall establish ICSs related to IC security and
classification marking .
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(e) The National Counterintelligence Executive shall establish ICSs related
to counterintelligence .
(f) Other ODNI officials as directed or approved by the DNI or his or her
designee may establish ICSs .
2. Functional Managers and other officials designated by the DNI. Functional
Managers and other officials designated by the DNI shall :
a. Develop and issue implementing standards, procedures, or processes applicable to
their functional or other area, as directed in accordance with this and other applicable IC
policies ;
b. Participate in the development, coordination and evaluation of IC policies, and
provide subject matter expertise to the DNI designee as requested ;
c. Ensure implementing policies, standards, procedures, or processes are in
accordance with DNI policies; and
d. Inform the DNI designee when there is any IC element or Functional Manager
policy in conflict with IC policy.
3 . IC Elements. IC elements shall:
a. Participate in the development, coordination and evaluation of IC policies, and
provide subject matter expertise to the DNI designee as requested ;
b. Develop internal implementing policies, standards, procedures, or processes
applicable to their element, in accordance with DNI policies ;
c. Inform the DNI designee when there is any policy applicable to an IC element in
conflict with IC policy ; and
d. Designate representatives to the IC-PRB and IPAG at the level described in
Section F. 1 .
H. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ICD becomes effective on the date of signature .
4*-avu”’-.4 Dire or of National Intelligence
Date
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