The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is a non-profit, nonpartisan 501(c)(6) professional organization for members of the United States Intelligence Community, based in Arlington, Virginia.
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INSA was established as the Security Affairs Support Association (SASA) in 1979 to bring together professionals in the intelligence field, primarily focused on the National Security Agency, and to help members staying abreast of intelligence and national security community issues. SASA's main office was in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.
In November 2005, SASA's Board of Directors voted to change its name to the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), so as to expand its reach across the intelligence and national security communities and better serve the community in the aftermath of the creation of the office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
INSA is the premier intelligence and national security organization that provides a unique venue for collaboration, networking and examination of policy issues and solutions. Representing an unprecedented alliance among senior leaders from the public, private and academic sectors, INSA members form an unparalleled community of experts that collaborate to develop creative, innovative and timely solutions to the intelligence and national security issues facing the United States.
INSA is a non-profit, non-partisan, public-private organization that works to promote and recognize the highest standards within the national security and intelligence communities. INSA members include current and former high-ranking intelligence, military and government agency leaders, analysts, and experts from industry and academia. Drawing on the experience and expertise of this membership, the Intelligence and National Security Alliance provides the thought leadership that identifies crucial intelligence topics, completes strategic research and promotes innovative solutions.
INSA has over 130 corporate members, as well as several hundred individual members, who are industry leaders within the government, private sector, and academia.
The current President is Ellen McCarthy, who has served as Director of the Human Capital Management Office and Acting Director of Security within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Director of Intelligence Operations, Strategy and Policy for the United States Coast Guard.
Former Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, Frances Townsend, serves as chairwoman of INSA's Board of Directors. She follows John O. Brennan who left INSA in 2008 to become Deputy National Security Advisor to President Barack Obama. In 2007, INSA’s Board of Directors elected Brennan to replace Vice-Admiral John Michael McConnell upon his confirmation as the nation's second Director of National Intelligence.
INSA's internal operational structure consists of the main office and its personnel, along with several member-driven, volunteer Councils and Task Forces that examine specific areas of study within the IC.
INSA’s Councils and Task Forces reflect INSA’s mission to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors for non-partisan, practical solutions to our national security challenges. INSA’s Councils and Task Forces produce white papers, testimony and expert level answers to policy requests from the White House, the National Security Council, the ODNI, the Pentagon and various Executive Branch agencies and Congressional Committees.
As of 2011, INSA Councils and Task Forces included:
White papers produced by earlier Councils and Task Forces include:
INSA hosts numerous events annually for professionals in the intelligence and national security communities. Foremost among these is the William Oliver Baker Award Dinner, which honors outstanding individuals in the fields of intelligence and domestic security. In December 2010, the INSA Board of Directors established the INSA Achievement Awardspresented the first Annual INSA Achievement Awards, which honor five young members of the intelligence and national security community for their distinguished service to the country and their field. These talented young professionals were selected for their leadership, mission accomplishments, potential for growth and their emerging professional standing and influence. The INSA Board named the Achievement Awards in honor of former William Oliver Baker Award recipients. The Awards are:
In addition to these annual award events, INSA hosts several events with prominent speakers from across the Intelligence Community on a regular basis, including the Distinguished Speakers Series, Mentoring Events, Leadership Dinners, and the speaker series "An Evening with Charlie Allen." Nearly all INSA events are in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
INSA's individual members includes former government officials from the National Security Council, National Intelligence Council, Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, Department of State, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the WMD Commission.
The William Oliver Baker Award was originally established by SASA in 1984 in honor of the first award recipient, William O. Baker, to promote excellence in the intelligence and national security activities of the United States government and associated endeavors in the private sector. The Award annually recognizes individuals for exceptional achievements and sustained contributions or single achievements of extraordinary merit. Past and current recipients by year include:
| Year | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Former Director of National Intelligence John Michael "Mike" McConnell |
| 2010 | Secretary of Defense Robert Gates |
| 2009 | Former Senator John Warner (R-Va.) |
| 2008 | Mr. Richard J. Kerr |
| 2007 | Admiral William Oliver Studeman, USN |
| 2006 | Lt Gen James R. Clapper, Jr., USAF |
| 2005 | Lt Gen Brent Scowcroft, USAF (Ret.) |
| 2004 | The Honorable Joan A. Dempsey |
| 2003 | The Honorable George J. Tenet |
| 2002 | Mr. Charles E. Allen |
| 2001 | Dr. Sidney D. Drell |
| 2000 | The Honorable William J. Perry |
| 1999 | Miss Ann Caracristi |
| 1998 | Dr. Jack E. Thomas |
| 1997 | Judge William H. Webster |
| 1996 | Lt Gen Samuel V. Wilson, USA (Ret.) |
| 1995 | The Honorable John N. McMahon |
| 1994 | The Honorable Robert J. Hermann |
| 1993 | Dr. Albert D. Wheelon |
| 1992 | Dr. Louis W. Tordella |
| 1991 | The Honorable James R. Schlesinger |
| 1990 | Dr. Lew Allen |
| 1989 | Admiral Bobby Inman, USN |
| 1988 | Dr. Edwin H. Land |
| 1987 | Ambassador Richard Helms |
| 1986 | Ambassador Vernon A. Walters |
| 1985 | Senator Barry Goldwater (R-Az.) |
| 1984 | Dr. William O. Baker |