How the CIA can get from spy to cyberspy

[Commentary] Agility and digital savvy traditionally haven't been the strong suits of government agencies, so it's encouraging that CIA Director John O. Brennan wants a big investment in cyberespionage and a new Directorate of Digital Innovation as part of what he calls a “bold” reorganization of the CIA.

Brennan's overhaul is commendable, but it's urgent to do more to make his agency cyber literate. Cyber competence isn't just a set of technical skills; it's a state of mind. Digital thinking must be baked into the CIA's whole intelligence mission and its covert operations. No agency employee should be able to say “cyber” isn't in their job description. Our nation's enemies are remarkably adaptable. They form opportunistic, horizontal relationships and strike new partnerships. They quickly adopt new digital tools and social media. Brennan deserves credit for overhauling the CIA to become more nimble and more ready to meet these threats on this digital front. But as cyber competence becomes part of the CIA's mission, friends of the agency should ask tough, constructive questions — to make certain that the human and digital worlds are being totally integrated.

[Jane Harman, former nine-term representative of California's 36th Congressional District, is the head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.]