Intelligence: The Google In The Basement

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April 2,2008: Google (the company) has a contract with the U.S. government to supply computer servers (hard drives) equipped with the software Google uses to run its popular Google search engine. The CIA, NSA and Department of Defense use these servers in closed (cut off from the Internet) systems that hold classified information, and allow espionage and intelligence personnel to more quickly find, and share, information. The data is generally displayed in Wikipedia type format, so that users can update it.

The intelligence agencies have found that Google search and the Wikipedia format are popular with their staff and analysts. Thus using Google and wiki type software was the easiest way to build a more efficient data storage and retrieval system. The only downside is that the data is only available at buildings where the special servers are located, and hooked up to a cabled (not wireless) network.

 

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