#CIA #FBI #Counterintelligence
Counterintelligence SECURE Act
GS – AI Overview: The SECURE Act (part of the FY2026 Intelligence Authorization Act) is a major counterintelligence (CI) reform proposed by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to overhaul U.S. CI strategy from passive protection to a proactive, “offensive” posture. It aims to deter, investigate, and disrupt foreign intelligence threats. [1, 2]
Key Aspects of the SECURE Act (2025-2026):Redefining Counterintelligence: The act redefines CI in federal law to emphasize proactive, offensive operations that “deter, disrupt, investigate, and exploit” foreign intelligence operations, rather than just protecting against them.
Unified Strategy: It establishes a centralized system for the Intelligence Community (IC) to store and access information on foreign intelligence threats.
Offensive Capabilities: It sets new doctrine, training, and certification standards for offensive counterintelligence activities.
Strengthening Partnerships: The legislation mandates improved international partner engagement for information sharing and joint operations.
Technological Protection: It includes provisions to safeguard technological advantages and protect intellectual property from foreign adversaries.
Security Upgrades: The act authorizes a new polygraph program for CI purposes and sets standards for damage assessments. [1, 2, 3, 4]This legislation was advanced in response to warnings of “9/11-scale intelligence failure” risks, aimed at curbing the ability of adversaries to operate with impunity in the United States. [1, 4]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…
[2] thehill.com/opinion/national…
[3] congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
[4] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…–
The SECURE Act empowers US counterintelligence
x.com/mikenov/status/2040412…
Permissive US landscape: x.com/mikenov/status/2040401…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov)Legislative Reform: #Congress is debating the #SECUREAct, a major #counterintelligence reform effort – Google Search google.com/search?q=Legislat…
Pic.: The SECURE Act empowers US counterintelligence to go on offense
thehill.com/opinion/national…
AI Mode: x.com/mikenov/status/2040404…
AI Overview
As of late 2025, Congress is advancing the Strategic Enhancement of Counterintelligence and Unifying Reform Efforts Act—or the SECURE Act—as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (H.R. 5167). [1, 2]
This legislation represents a major overhaul aimed at addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. counterintelligence (CI) system, shifting it from a reactive, law-enforcement-centric model to a more proactive, offensive posture. [3, 4, 5]
Key Aspects of the SECURE Act (119th Congress, 2025-2026):Redefining Counterintelligence: The Act amends the National Security Act of 1947 to expand the definition of counterintelligence, allowing agencies to not only “protect against” but also “deter, disrupt, investigate, exploit” foreign intelligence operations.
National Counterintelligence Center: The legislation establishes a new National Counterintelligence Center within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), headed by a Senate-confirmed Director who will serve as the principal advisor to the President on CI matters.
Proactive Capabilities: The proposed reforms aim to utilize deception techniques to neutralize foreign spies and counter intelligence threats from nation-states, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Congressional Transparency: The House Intelligence Committee has included provisions requiring the FBI to notify Congress when it initiates a counterintelligence investigation into a candidate for or holder of federal office.
Modernization & AI: The act aims to speed up the usage of artificial intelligence in the Intelligence Community (IC) and strengthen cyber requirements for vendors. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]Context and Status:House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford developed the legislation in response to reports of a permissive US landscape allowing foreign spies to operate with impunity. The House and Senate have been navigating the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2026 through the committee process in late 2025, with experts calling for rapid implementation to avoid a 9/11-scale intelligence failure. [2, 4, 8]
Note: The SECURE Act discussed in the context of counterintelligence reform (H.R. 5167) is distinct from the 2019/2022 “SECURE Act” retirement legislation that has updates taking effect in 2026. [9]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
[2] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…
[3] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…
[4] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…
[5] intelligence.house.gov/2025/…
[6] warner.senate.gov/public/ind…
[7] congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
[8] intelligence.senate.gov/2025…
[9] fidelity.com/learning-center…— https://x.com/mikenov/status/2040412229372100665— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Apr 4, 2026
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