The proliferation of websites, such as My Space and Facebook, led the CIA to launch a social networking website of their own.

The CIA's new online program -- A-Space -- connects CIA analysts to others within the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. When agents visit this social networking site they won't find the usual "Agent A is…feeling cranky today," or that they've been "super poked" by a friend. Instead, analysts will be able to share information, about enemy movements and track U.S. troop progress around the world.

"One perfect example is if Osama bin Laden comes out with a new video," posits Michael Wertheimer, assistant deputy director of national analysis, in a CNN report. "How is that video obtained? Where are the very sensitive secret sources we may have to put into a context that's not apparent to the rest of the world?"
 
The information posted to A-Space is considered highly classified and won't be accessible to the general public. Only users with intelligence personnel, the proper security clearance, and a valid reason to visit the site can use the CIA's news social networking tool.

What's more, A-Space users' friends are only known to the user -- the identities stay secret to people outside the intelligence community. According to CNN, A-Space creators don't want the site to be pilfered by double agents such as Jonathan Pollard or Robert Hansen -- consider any future "friend requests" from those two rejected.

"It's a place where not only spies can meet but share data they've never been able to share before," says Wertheimer to CNN. "This is going to give them for the first time a chance to think out loud, think in public amongst their peers, under the protection of the A-space umbrella."

After months of testing, A-Space officially launched to the intelligence community on Sept. 22.