Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System

Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
Part of The United States Department of Defense Computer Networks
Based in United States
Site information
OperatorMultiple Operators
Controlled byThe United States Department of Defense
Open to
the public
No

The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System (JWICS, /ˈwɪks/ JAY-wiks) is the United States Department of Defense's secure[citation needed] intranet system that houses top secret and sensitive compartmented information. JWICS superseded the earlier DSNET2 and DSNET3, the Top Secret and SCI levels of the Defense Data Network based on ARPANET technology.[1][2]

The system deals primarily with intelligence information and was one of the networks accessed by Chelsea Manning, in the leaking of sensitive footage and intelligence during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars to whistleblower organization WikiLeaks in 2010,[3] primarily the video used in WikiLeaks' Collateral Murder prior to leaking a trove of US diplomatic cables.[4] In 2023, it was also accessed by Jack Teixeira who leaked information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Because of the information it houses, JWICS is subject to discussion around cybersecurity and the United States' vulnerability to cyber threats.

Opinions surrounding the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication system are varied. Some emphasize its importance as a measure to protect intelligence that helps to ensure the safety of US military interests and personnel. Others [who?] scrutinize the system for standing in the way of the transparency and accountability of government.

  1. ^ MARCORSYSCOM – Website Temporarily Suspended Archived 2011-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Marcorsyscom.usmc.mil. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
  2. ^ Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) Archived 2015-04-09 at the Wayback Machine. Fas.org. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
  3. ^ "WikiLeaks: From Wales to a US jail, via Iraq, the story of Bradley Manning". the Guardian. 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  4. ^ Kevin Poulsen and Kim Zetter (2010-06-06). "U.S. Intelligence Analyst Arrested in Wikileaks Video Probe". Wired. Retrieved 2010-06-15.