The DNI Special Security Center facilitates the IC Badge Interoperability Program (ICBIP). In that capacity, the SSC works closely with representatives of the National Security Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office to achieve badge interoperability for government and contractor personnel working in those agencies.

Badge interoperability is achieved by linking the access control systems of participating agencies over a secure SCI network. This enables badgeholders from the participating agencies to use their agency-issued badge and PIN to seamlessly enter all participating agencies. The participating agencies overcame many technical challenges to integrate their disparate access control systems in order to exchange badge data over the SCI network. These systems were not intended to work toegether when procured by each respective agency, but the agencies and the SSC worked together to find the technical solutions to make badge interoperability a reality.

The ICBIP marks an important milestone for the Intelligence Community. It is also an accomplishment that we want to expand upon so that the rest of the Intelligence Community may share in the benefits of badge interoperability. Badge interoperability facilitates information sharing and the mobility of personnel within the agencies of the Intelligence Community. It reflects the reality of our shared mission and our need to work collaboratively to fight the global war on terrorism and to face the many new challenges of this new century.