Why Commercial Intelligence Is Vital to National Security and Integrated Deterrence

The Biden administration and the Department of Defense (DoD) recently released the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Budget, as well as the National Defense Strategy. In a statement, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said the $773B budget request “reinforces our commitment to the concept of integrated deterrence”—a key strategic initiative that underlies the National Defense Strategy by working “across warfighting domains, operational theaters, the spectrum of conflict, and our network of alliances and partnerships.”

Integrated deterrence is too big a strategy for the government to handle on its own.

An integrated deterrence strategy requires almost seamless collaboration across every national security domain, providing decision-makers with flexible response options. But it’s no secret that the US government is notoriously hindered by policies that tend to stymie innovation and communication between intelligence and defense departments—and the commercial industry. 

To cut through the red tape, and execute an integrated deterrence strategy, it’s imperative that the DoD leverage private and commercial organizations that are not bound to the same bureaucratic limitations as government organizations.

What is integrated deterrence? 

In short, integrated deterrence means taking a holistic approach to national defense. This encompasses everything from aircraft carriers and next-generation satellites to cyber warfare, hypersonic missiles, and open source intelligence (OSINT)—all of which, together, can provide the US government and its allies with scalable options to deter, deny, degrade, disable, and destroy adversaries. 

From counterterrorism to integrated deterrence 

In the last several years the government has pivoted from counterterrorism to terms that include peer adversaries, Great Power Competition, strategic competition and, now, integrated deterrence.

These new phrases are all about countering China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. In doing so, the US government has extended its aperture on national defense so wide that seemingly everything comes into play—military forces, technology, space, economic deterrents, etc. 

The big takeaway? Integrated deterrence is too big a strategy for the government to handle on its own.

The critical role of commercial intelligence in national defense

As the Biden administration and the government writ large continue to iterate on its national defense strategy, it is vital to bridge any remaining gap between commercial intelligence and government. Governments in general are reactive. Meanwhile, commercial organizations don’t have the luxury of being reactive: In order to maintain a competitive advantage, commercial organizations must be proactive and find solutions to problems before they actually arise. 

In this new integrated deterrence space, the US government and its allies must become proactive and the first step is leveraging a commercial sector that is already proactively postured.

Flexibility, innovation, and speed: The advantages of commercial intelligence

Flashpoint National Security Solutions (FNSS) are purposely built to be flexible and agile, and to remain at the forefront of the commercial intelligence space. We move at “the speed of industry and are not bound by strictly worded requirements, or red tape, meaning that we’re able rapidly flex our capabilities to meet each our clients’ unique needs.

Experience and adaptability matters

Furthermore, we pride ourselves on employing former practitioners from the National Security space who are now driving innovative capabilities and solutions for National Security clients. From data collection and product development to engineering and intelligence operations, Flashpoint prides itself on its ability to rapidly innovate and adapt to an ever-changing market and global environment.

The priority of integrated deterrence

Governments should leverage their commercial partners to adapt to this new operating environment of integrated deterrence. Governments need less roadblocks and red tape in order to remain competitive as they pursue this strategy. 

The only question is: Will governments prioritize efficient and innovative partnerships with industry over outdated, familiar processes?

Learn About Flashpoint National Security Solutions (FNSS)

Flashpoint National Security Solutions (FNSS) helps government agencies create actionable intelligence and deliver data-driven decisions. We innovate and deliver solutions to our government partners answering Integrated Deterrence requirements across the Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), and Federal Law Enforcement. To learn more, sign up for a free trial today.