DHS secret network at the forefront of nationwide intelligence sharing

A new directive aimed at easing the sharing of classified information about terrorist threats elevates the role of a little-known but long-established Homeland Security Department secret network, according to Bush administration officials.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano released the guidance, which President Obama called for in an August 2010 executive order, to align security standards for accessing classified data across all levels of government and in the private sector. The issuance comes as the Defense Department prepares for a military court session later this week charging that Pfc. Bradley Manning wrongfully fed intelligence from the military's classified network to the anti-secrets website WikiLeaks. The WikiLeaks imbroglio prompted a second presidential order in October 2011 that aims to prevent insiders from sharing confidential government information with unauthorized outsiders.