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Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR): Protection Capabilities for Fusion Centers [December 2008] [An Appendix to the 'Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers']
"This document identifies the capabilities necessary for state and major urban area fusion centers (fusion centers) to establish a critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) protection analytic capability that supports infrastructure security activities at the state and local levels. This document is an appendix to the U.S. Department of Justice's Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative's (Global) 'Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers' (Baseline Capabilities document), which defined the capabilities and standards necessary for a fusion center to be considered capable of performing basic functions (e.g., the gathering, processing, analyzing, and disseminating of terrorism, homeland security, and law enforcement information). One of the key principles of the Fusion Center Guidelines is that the mission of the center be developed locally and collaboratively to address the needs of the jurisdiction it is serving. Out of respect for that principle, the Baseline Capabilities document encourages but does not require centers to incorporate Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) activities into their mission. (See the Baseline Capabilities document, pages 1--3, for further background.) This document provides guidance for those fusion centers that have chosen to support CIP activities; it identifies the additional capabilities fusion centers should achieve in order to effectively integrate CIKR activities into their analysis and information/intelligence sharing processes and identifies how the center should support risk-reduction efforts taken by federal, state, local, and private sector partners. This document also provides the federal, state, local, and private sector officials responsible for protecting CIKR with an overview of the value in working with their local fusion center and how they can better integrate their CIP-related activities with the efforts of the fusion center."
United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2008-12
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DHS Announces New Information-Sharing Tool to Help Fusion Centers Combat Terrorism [September 14, 2009]
"The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD) today announced an initiative to grant select state and major urban area fusion center personnel access to classified terrorism-related information residing in DoD's classified network. Under this initiative, select fusion center personnel with a federal security clearance will be able to access specific terrorism-related information resident on the DoD Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet)--a secure network used to send classified data. This classified data will be accessed via DHS' Homeland Security Data Network (HSDN). DHS will be responsible for ensuring that proper security procedures are followed."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2009-09-14
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Fusion 2.0: The Next Generation of Fusion in California: Aligning State and Regional Fusion Centers
From the Abstract: "A growing number of states have created multiple fusion centers, including California. In addition to having a state fusion center, California has four regional centers statewide. Each center is separately governed, but intended to work together as a unified, statewide system. Given their recognized autonomy, the relationship between California's fusion centers is voluntary and 'horizontal' versus 'hierarchical,' with no single entity in charge. Consequently, the attainment and sustainment of a robust and synchronized partnership between California's fusion centers is dependent upon each center's commitment to collaborate. Current research has focused largely on building collaboration within fusion centers, as opposed to between fusion centers. This research seeks to identify the appropriate role and mission of California's state fusion center as it relates to strengthening stakeholder relationships, collaboration, and sustainability, through the analysis of data captured from California's regional centers, sheriffs and police chiefs, and examining the roles and methods of other state fusion centers in states with multiple centers. From this research, this thesis recommends a series of collaborative initiatives intended to help strengthen intra-state fusion center collaboration, more properly align state and regional fusion center efforts, and enhance sustainability through maintained relevancy and added value to stakeholders and customers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
MacGregor, David S.
2010-03
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Health Security: Public Health and Medical Integration for Fusion Centers: An Appendix to the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
"This document identifies the recommended actions for state and major urban area fusion centers (fusion centers) to integrate the public health and health care (PH/ HC) community into the fusion process. Development of this capability will inform local, state, and national prevention, protection, response, and recovery activities that support and maintain the health security of the homeland. This document is an appendix to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative's (Global) Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers (Baseline Capabilities document), which defines the capabilities and provides guidance necessary for a fusion center to be considered capable of performing basic functions of the fusion process (i.e., the gathering, processing, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism, homeland security, and law enforcement information). This document does not identify additional capabilities for fusion centers. Rather, for fusion centers that choose to develop and support a health security capability, it identifies how the centers can effectively integrate the information, resources, personnel, and expertise of the PH/HC community into their existing analysis and information/intelligence sharing processes to assist the center in achieving its mission. This document also provides federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector PH/HC organizations with an overview of the mutual value of working with their fusion center and the many opportunities for establishing relationships with the fusion center."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2011-07
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Fire Service Integration for Fusion Centers: An Appendix to the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
"This document identifies recommended actions and guidance for state and major urban area fusion centers (fusion centers) to effectively integrate the fire service into the fusion process. Within the context of this document, the fire service is defined as including fire and emergency operations, emergency medical service operations, rescue operations, hazardous materials operations, fire prevention/protection, fire investigation, incident management, and responder safety. [...] The document is an appendix to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative's (Global) Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers (Baseline Capabilities document), which defines the capabilities and guidance necessary for a fusion center to be considered capable of performing basic functions (e.g., the gathering, processing, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism, homeland security, and law enforcement information). The document does not identify additional capabilities for fusion centers. Rather, the document identifies how fusion centers can effectively integrate the fire service into their existing analysis and information/intelligence sharing processes. In addition, this document provides federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial fire service organizations with an overview of the mutual operational value in working with their local fusion center, as well as different options for establishing relationships with the fusion center."
United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2010-04
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Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers: A Supplement to the Fusion Center Guidelines
"This document identifies the baseline capabilities for fusion centers and the operational standards necessary to achieve each of the capabilities. It is an addendum to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative's (Global) Fusion Center Guidelines, which provide guidance to ensure that fusion centers are established and operated consistently across the country. Using the Fusion Center Guidelines, as well as identified best practices, federal, state, and local officials identified the capabilities and standards necessary for a fusion center to be considered capable of performing basic functions. By achieving this baseline level of capability, a fusion center will have the necessary structures, processes, and tools in place to support the gathering, processing, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism, homeland security, and law enforcement information. This baseline level of capability will support specific operational capabilities, such as Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR); Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications; Risk Assessments; and Situational Awareness Reporting. The development of baseline operational standards is called for in the National Strategy for Information Sharing (Strategy) and is a key step to reaching one of the Strategy's goals: 'Establishing a National Integrated Network of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers.' Defining these operational standards allows federal, state, local, and tribal officials to identify and plan for the resources needed-to include financial, technical assistance, and human support-to achieve the Strategy's goal."
United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2008-09
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Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers: A Supplement to the 'Fusion Center Guidelines'
"This document identifies the baseline capabilities for fusion centers and the operational standards necessary to achieve each of the capabilities. It is an addendum to the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative's (Global) 'Fusion Center Guidelines', which provide guidance to ensure that fusion centers are established and operated consistently across the country. Using the 'Fusion Center Guidelines', as well as identified best practices, federal, state, and local officials identified the capabilities and standards necessary for a fusion center to be considered capable of performing basic functions. By achieving this baseline level of capability, a fusion center will have the necessary structures, processes, and tools in place to support the gathering, processing, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism, homeland security, and law enforcement information. This baseline level of capability will support specific operational capabilities, such as Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR); Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications; Risk Assessments; and Situational Awareness Reporting. The development of baseline operational standards is called for in the 'National Strategy for Information Sharing' (Strategy) and is a key step to reaching one of the Strategy's goals: 'Establishing a National Integrated Network of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers.' Defining these operational standards allows federal, state, local, and tribal officials to identify and plan for the resources needed--to include financial, technical assistance, and human support--to achieve the Strategy's goal."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2008-09
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DHS/DOJ Fusion Process Technical Assistance Program and Services: Considerations for Fusion Center and Emergency Operations Center Coordination: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 502
"This document provides State and Major Urban Area fusion center and EOC [Emergency Operations Center] officials with guidance for coordination between fusion centers and EOCs. It outlines the roles of fusion centers and EOCs within the fusion process and provides steps by which these entities can work together to share information and intelligence on an ongoing basis. This guide supports the implementation of the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers and, likewise, assists EOCs fill their missions in both steady state and active state emergency operations, as supported by the CPG 601: Design and Management of Emergency Operations Centers. This CPG provides guidance on the broad capability requirements of an EOC."
United States. Department of Justice; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2010-05
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DHS' Role in State and Local Fusion Centers Is Evolving
"In June 2006, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security signed an implementation plan to support state and local fusion centers and designated the Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the executive agent for managing the department's role in the nationwide Fusion Center Initiative. The department's fusion center program is intended to provide information, people, technology, and other resources to fusion centers to create a web of interconnected information nodes across the country. At the request of Representative Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, we assessed whether the Department of Homeland Security is providing adequate oversight and guidance for fusion centers, and what problems and challenges are being encountered as fusion centers develop. Specifically, we determined: the extent to which the department's Office of Intelligence and Analysis has been working to coordinate and develop its relationship and role with fusion centers; whether fusion center funding and activities are aligned to further the department's mission; the merits of detailing Office of Intelligence and Analysis staff to fusion centers; and whether the Office of Intelligence and Analysis is successful in backfilling positions used to staff fusion centers. Office of Intelligence and Analysis coordination efforts with fusion centers are improving and evolving, and its intelligence officers assigned to fusion centers have added value. However, challenges remain with internal Department of Homeland Security coordination, aligning fusion center activities and funding with the department's mission, and deploying personnel to state and local fusion centers in a timely manner."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2008-12
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Colorado's Fusion Center Recognized at National Fusion Center Conference [February 23, 2010]
"The Colorado Information and Analysis Center, an FBI agent assigned to the Joint Regional Intelligence Center in Los Angeles and the deputy director of the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center won awards at the National Fusion Center Conference today as fusion center of the year and as outstanding fusion center federal and state/local representatives. During an awards presentation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment recognized outstanding fusion centers and their leadership."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
2010-02-23
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Fusion Center Challenges: Why Fusion Centers Have Failed to Meet Intelligence Sharing Expectations
From the Abstract: "This thesis intends to uncover why critics have cited fusion centers at the national, regional, and state levels of the Intelligence Community (IC) for the inability to share intelligence. The research method examines three case studies: the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), and state and local fusion centers now combined into a National Network. All three case studies reveal how fusion centers at these various levels of the IC have been inhibited from sharing information because of three primary challenges: (1) the absence of a standardized model, (2) an insufficient concentration on counterterrorism (CT) as a mission, and (3) underdeveloped or missing external agency partnerships, although each challenge often affects each particular case study in different ways. For NCTC, external partnerships exhibit the most prevalent challenge at the national level; for EPIC, the diffusion of its mission creates the most difficult obstacle for it to overcome; and for the National Network, standardization precludes state and local fusion centers from sharing information while barring them from a more refined mission-set and better, more reciprocal partnerships."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Salvatore, Shane A.
2018-03
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Fusion Center Technology Resources Road Map: Elements of an Enterprise Architecture for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
"The function of a fusion center is to provide a collection, analysis, and dissemination point for classified and unclassified data relevant to terrorism and potentially other crimes and 'all-hazards' intelligence approaches. In this regard, technology plays an important role in advancing the ability to share this information among a variety of partners across the public and private sectors. At the end of 2008, there were more than 70 state and major urban area fusion centers in various stages of implementation in the United States. Many of these centers are still in the early stages of technology implementation. The U.S. Department of Justice; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS); and the Office of the Program Manager, Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE) provide technical assistance related to a variety of business needs, including governance and organizational structure; concept of operations development; privacy policy and civil liberties protection implementation; and administration and management. Additionally, training on state and local anti-terrorism methods, criminal intelligence, 28 CFR Part 23-compliance, and information sharing utilizing the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) are available to fusion centers. The value of technology linked to business processes and performance is quickly apparent when one focuses on the challenges and hurdles to information sharing and the broader concepts of information management. From defining the common data standards to facilitate common understanding and interpretation of information to protecting privacy rights through electronic management and enforcement of access controls and retention policies, adequate technology planning and utilization can be a critical enabler to sharing information responsibly and fostering safer communities. Fusion centers that are able to adopt and benefit from emerging technologies and standards to meet their business objectives will be better prepared to handle the challenges today and in the future."
United States. Department of Justice; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2009-04
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State and Local Intelligence Fusion Centers: An Evaluative Approach in Modeling a State Fusion Center
From the Abstract: "In the final report on the attacks of September 11, 2001, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) found that the attacks were successful in part because information was not shared and analysis not pooled among the different agencies across all levels of government. Since that time, there have been significant strides to improve cooperation and close the intelligence gaps among the different intelligence and law enforcement services. Effective terrorism prevention, however, requires information and intelligence fusion as a cooperative process at all levels of government so that the flow of intelligence can be managed to support the identification of emerging threats to our homeland. This thesis explains the value of a state/regional fusion center by examining three successful fusion centers in Arizona, Georgia, and Los Angeles. Recommendations from each agency on lessons learned as well as independent research have been provided to help state and local agencies develop their own fusion centers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Forsyth, William A.
2005-09
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Fusion Center Guidelines: Developing and Sharing Information and Intelligence in a New Era: Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Fusion Centers at the Local, State, and Federal Levels [Executive Summary]
"The need to develop and share information and intelligence across all levels of government has significantly changed over the last few years. The longstanding information sharing challenges among law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, and the private sector are slowly disappearing. Yet, the need to identify, prevent, monitor, and respond to terrorist and criminal activities remains a significant need for the law enforcement, intelligence, public safety, and private sector communities. Through the support, expertise, and knowledge of leaders from all entities involved, the fusion center concept can become a reality. Each official has a stake in the development and exchange of information and intelligence and should act as an ambassador to support and further this initiative. It is the responsibility of leadership to implement and adhere to the Fusion Center Guidelines. The development and exchange of intelligence is not easy. Sharing this data requires not only strong leadership, it also requires the commitment, dedication, and trust of a diverse group of men and women who believe in the power of collaboration. How can law enforcement, public safety, and private entities embrace a collaborative process to improve intelligence sharing and, ultimately, increase the ability to detect, prevent, and solve crimes while safeguarding our homeland? Recently, an initiative has emerged that incorporates the various elements of an ideal information and intelligence sharing project: fusion centers (or 'center'). This initiative offers guidelines and tools to assist in the establishment and operation of centers."
United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2006-08
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DHS' Efforts To Coordinate and Enhance Its Support and Information Sharing with Fusion Centers
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) coordinates activities to improve information sharing efforts among federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies and the private sector as required by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended. To promote greater information sharing and collaboration among federal, state, and local intelligence and law enforcement entities, state and local authorities established fusion centers throughout the country. A fusion center is a collaboration of two or more agencies to receive, gather, analyze, and disseminate information intending to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal or terrorist activity. DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), through its State and Local Program Office, is responsible for coordinating federal support to fusion centers. [...] We assessed DHS' efforts to coordinate and enhance its support to fusion centers as part of our Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Performance Plan. Specifically, we reviewed whether: (1) the State and Local Program Office satisfies the intent of DHS' recommitment to the State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative; (2) planned State and Local Program Office efforts will ensure coordinated support of DHS and its components to provide needed information and resources to fusion centers; and (3) any functional or organizational challenges exist within DHS that hinder its successful support to fusion centers. Since July 2009, the State and Local Program Office has increased field support to fusion centers, worked to improve fusion center capabilities, and engaged DHS components. Efforts to develop a department-wide fusion center support strategy are ongoing, but improvements are needed to enhance I&A field deployments and DHS component support. We are making seven recommendations to assist the State and Local Program Office in improving DHS' support to fusion centers; I&A concurred with all recommendations."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
2011-11
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Comparative Analysis of Fusion Center Outreach to Fire and EMS Agencies
From the thesis abstract: "Fire and EMS responders have had little involvement with fusion center operations, and this directly impacts the country's safety. Only a handful of fusion centers have integrated the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) responders into the collection, analysis, and sharing of information on homeland security activities. This thesis analyzes the predominant practices of five fusion centers that have integrated fire and EMS responders into their reporting process. The highlighted practices from the study of these fusion centers can be utilized to expand the integration at fusion centers across the country and to further expand the role of the fire and EMS responder in homeland security. Implementing these practices involves the fusion centers commitment to integration, to cooperation, and to preparedness. Having basic terrorism behavior training, along with suspicious-activity indicator awareness, sets the baseline for fire and EMS agencies to select key decision makers who become the liaison with the fusion center. Sufficient quantities of fusion center liaisons are needed to support the size and number of agencies in the fusion centers' area of responsibility. Having uniformed senior fire and EMS line officers staffing the liaison positions will expand the trust of the fusion centers' processes while providing more channels for outreach and interaction between first responders and fusion centers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Goldstein, Scott E.
2015-12
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Fusion Center Guidelines: Developing and Sharing Information and Intelligence in a New World - Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Fusion Centers at the Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Level [July 2005, Version 1]
"How can law enforcement, public safety, and private entities embrace a collaborative process to improve intelligence sharing and, ultimately, increase the ability to detect, prevent, and solve crimes while safeguarding our homeland? Recently, an initiative has emerged that incorporates the elements of an ideal information and intelligence sharing project - fusion centers ('center'). This initiative offers guidelines and tools to assist in the establishment and operation of fusion centers. The guidelines are a milestone in achieving a unified force among all levels of law enforcement agencies; public safety agencies, such as fire, health, and transportation; and the private sector. Fusion centers bring all the relevant parties together to maximize the ability to prevent and respond to terrorism and criminal acts. By embracing this concept, these entities will be able to effectively and efficiently safeguard our homeland and maximize anticrime efforts."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance
2005-07
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2016 National Network of Fusion Centers: Final Report
"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts the annual fusion center assessment to provide a comprehensive picture of the performance of the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network), help measure the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding, and guide partners to invest in mission areas with the greatest potential benefit to the entire homeland. The assessment primarily evaluates fusion centers' achievement of selected performance measures. It also strives to ensure functional consistency across the National Network, regardless of fusion center size, scope, geography, or mission. [...] This year's 2016 National Network of Fusion Centers Final Report (2016 Final Report) reflects this change through a focus on performance measures developed by a DHS-led working group of fusion center directors. The key findings, conclusions, and recommendations in this 2016 Final Report center on: the need for a shared understanding of critical fusion center functions; the importance of aligning staffing, training, and collaboration with key fusion center focus areas; the need for training, transition procedures, and onboarding materials to enhance skills and maintain continuity for new and existing staff; the restrictions that state and local laws and policies impose on many fusion centers in sharing analytical products on the Homeland Security Information Network-Intelligence Community of Interest (HSIN-Intel) and elsewhere; and the opportunity to convert increased fusion center colocation and law enforcement focus into outcomes that more fully address partner needs."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2017-07
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DHS/DOJ Fusion Process Technical Assistance Program and Services: Considerations for Fusion Center and Emergency Operations Center Coordination: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 502 [DRAFT]
"In order for there to be successful interfacing and cooperation between fusion centers and emergency operations centers (EOCs), a familiarity should be built with each other's roles and capabilities. In addition to understanding roles and capabilities, it is imperative that the two develop a solid relationship in order to effectively work together to achieve the objectives of each. The relationships forged between these two entities will allow them to have continuous, meaningful contacts which will enhance their ability to share information and intelligence regardless of the activation status of the EOC. Policies on how they will interact should grow out of mutual trust and respect, paving the way for effective operations in steady state and emergency operations. In addition to formalizing a relationship through development of a joint concept of operations, standard operating procedures should be created, reviewed and updated to define the roles of each entity on a daily basis and during periods of activation. Familiarization with and definition of the processes for information flow is only the beginning of the relationship. Both the fusion center and the EOC should make it a part of their concept of operations (CONOPS) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure continuous contact and exchange of information to improve public safety across the prevention, protection, response and recovery mission areas. This planning guide focuses on this critical partnership and the exchange of information between these entities."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2009-09
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Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress [Updated July 6, 2007]
From the Summary: "The value proposition for fusion centers is that by integrating various streams of information and intelligence, including that flowing from the federal government, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as the private sector, a more accurate picture of risks to people, economic infrastructure, and communities can be developed and translated into protective action. […] There are several risks to the fusion center concept - including potential privacy and civil liberties violations, and the possible inability of fusion centers to demonstrate utility in the absence of future terrorist attacks, particularly during periods of relative state fiscal austerity. […] Fusion centers are state-created entities largely financed and staffed by the states, and there is no one 'model' for how a center should be structured. [… ]This report includes over 30 options for congressional consideration to clarify and potentially enhance the federal government's relationship with fusion centers. One of the central options is the potential drafting of a formal national fusion center strategy that would outline, among other elements, the federal government's clear expectations of fusion centers, its position on sustainment funding, metrics for assessing fusion center performance, and definition of what constitutes a 'mature' fusion center. This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Masse, Todd; Rollins, John; O'Neil, Siobhan
2007-07-06
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Federal Support for Involvement in State and Local Fusion Centers, Majority and Minority Staff Report, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, United States Senate
This Majority and Minority Staff Report was issued by Senators Carl Levin and Tom Coburn of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. From the Executive Summary: "Sharing terrorism-related information between state, local and federal officials is crucial to protecting the United States from another terrorist attack. Achieving this objective was the motivation for Congress and the White House to invest hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars over the last nine years in support of dozens of state and local fusion centers across the United States. The Subcommittee investigation found that DHS-assigned detailees to the fusion centers forwarded 'intelligence' of uneven quality -- oftentimes shoddy, rarely timely, sometimes endangering citizens' civil liberties and Privacy Act protections, occasionally taken from already-published public sources, and more often than not unrelated to terrorism. Congress directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to lead this initiative. A bipartisan investigation by the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has found, however, that DHS' work with those state and local fusion centers has not produced useful intelligence to support federal counterterrorism efforts. The Subcommittee investigation also found that DHS officials' public claims about fusion centers were not always accurate. For instance, DHS officials asserted that some fusion centers existed when they did not. At times, DHS officials overstated fusion centers' 'success stories.' At other times, DHS officials failed to disclose or acknowledge non-public evaluations highlighting a host of problems at fusion centers and in DHS' own operations. Since 2003, over 70 state and local fusion centers, supported in part with federal funds, have been created or expanded in part to strengthen U.S. intelligence capabilities, particularly to detect, disrupt, and respond to domestic terrorist activities. DHS' support for and involvement with these state and local fusion centers has, from the beginning, centered on their professed ability to strengthen federal counterterrorism efforts."
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
2012-10-03
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Fusion Center Guidelines: Developing and Sharing Information and Intelligence in a New Era, Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Fusion Centers at the Local, State, and Federal Levels
"The need to develop and share information and intelligence across all levels of government has significantly changed over the last few years. The long-standing information sharing challenges among law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, and the private sector are slowly disappearing. Yet, the need to identify, prevent, monitor, and respond to terrorist and criminal activities remains a significant need for the law enforcement, intelligence, public safety, and private sector communities. Through the support, expertise, and knowledge of leaders from all entities involved, the fusion center concept can become a reality. Each official has a stake in the development and exchange of information and intelligence and should act as an ambassador to support and further this initiative. It is the responsibility of leadership to implement and adhere to the 'Fusion Center Guidelines'."
United States. Office of Justice Programs; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2005
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Fusion Center Guidelines: Developing and Sharing Information and Intelligence in a New Era: Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Fusion Centers at the Local, State, and Federal Levels
"The need to develop and share information and intelligence across all levels of government has significantly changed over the last few years. The long-standing information sharing challenges among law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, and the private sector are slowly disappearing. Yet, the need to identify, prevent, monitor, and respond to terrorist and criminal activities remains a significant need for the law enforcement, intelligence, public safety, and private sector communities. Through the support, expertise, and knowledge of leaders from all entities involved, the fusion center concept can become a reality. Each official has a stake in the development and exchange of information and intelligence and should act as an ambassador to support and further this initiative. It is the responsibility of leadership to implement and adhere to the 'Fusion Center Guidelines.'"
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Department of Justice. Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
2006-08?
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Cyber Integration for Fusion Centers: An Appendix to the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
From the Purpose: "This document identifies recommended actions and guidance for state and major urban area fusion centers (fusion centers) to integrate information technology, cybersecurity, and cybercrime prevention (cyber) intelligence and analytic capabilities. Development of these capabilities will inform local, state, and national detection, mitigation, response, recovery, investigation, and criminal prosecution activities that support and maintain the United States' cybersecurity."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance
2015-05
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Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Alleviate Some Challenges Encountered by State and Local Information Fusion Centers, Report to Congressional Committees
"In general, a fusion center is a collaborative effort to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. Recognizing that fusion centers are a mechanism for information sharing, the federal government--including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE), which has primary responsibility for government-wide information sharing and is located in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence--is taking steps to partner with fusion centers. In response to your request, GAO examined (1) the status and characteristics of fusion centers and (2) to what extent federal efforts help alleviate challenges the centers identified. GAO reviewed center-related documents and conducted interviews with officials from DHS, DOJ, and the PM-ISE, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 58 state and local fusion centers. The results are not generalizable to the universe of fusion centers. Data are not available on the total number of local fusion centers. GAO is recommending that the federal government determine and articulate its long-term fusion center role and whether it expects to provide resources to help ensure their sustainability. DHS and PM-ISE reviewed a report draft and agreed with our recommendation."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2007-10
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Rhode Island State Fusion Center [website]
"The Rhode Island State Fusion Center was founded in 2005 following the identification of intelligence shortfalls after 9/11. The Fusion Center, which is under the command of a Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant, is staffed by four intelligence analysts, an intelligence officer from the Department of Homeland Security, and sworn members of the Rhode Island State Police. The Fusion Center was established to investigate potential terrorist activity, as well as to facilitate the dissemination of the intelligence information to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The scope of the Fusion Center has expanded to include the investigation of all criminal activity. [...] The Mission of the Rhode Island State Fusion Center is to facilitate the efficient, timely, and accurate exchange of information between local, state, and federal public safety agencies and private sector organizations. Through a cooperative and coordinated approach, the Fusion Center will augment law enforcement operations by acting as a centralized, comprehensive criminal intelligence center to coordinate the exchange of criminal information on a statewide basis. The Rhode Island Fusion Center will collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence information in an effort to identify, investigate, and prevent criminal activity relevant to terrorism and public safety. Those assigned to the Fusion Center actively investigate all information and leads received that could be associated with terrorist activity or may pose a threat to Homeland Security."
Rhode Island State Fusion Center
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Developing a Model Fusion Center to Enhance Information Sharing
From the thesis abstract: "Fusion Centers are in a unique position to provide the necessary collaborative space to bring the federal intelligence community together with state, local and tribal initiatives to support homeland security efforts at the grass roots level. Fusion Centers are described as a collaborative effort of two or more agencies to share, or more importantly, fuse information or data from multiple sources. Although, fusion centers have developed at different intervals, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided guiding documents to support fusion center maturation. This research examines these documents and proposed strategies incorporated into four proficient fusion centers in the Northeast Region of the United States to identify best or smart practices, success stories and areas for improvement. There has been a plethora of literature written concerning fusion centers since the tragedies of September 11, 2001. These categories of the literature include: official documents, guidelines and lessons learned for intelligence input, civil liberties safeguards and protections and literature dealing with the intelligence cycle and information sharing. The focus of this thesis is to examine correlation between the implementation of the current United States Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice suggested Fusion Center Guidelines, and the employment of these guidelines in the successful development of a model fusion center."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Smith, Walter E.
2011-12
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Examination of State and Local Fusion Centers and Data Collection Methods
From the thesis abstract: "This research will focus on fusion centers, particularly the expectation of state and local fusion centers and their role. How will fusion centers add to the national effort to protect the Homeland, while also providing a benefit to their local communities? This effort will seek to determine what role the state and local fusion centers should be concerned with and how they might add local value. With the increasing prevalence of fusion centers it will be important to determine how those fusion centers will be used and how they will collect the information that they will fuse, or analyze, and turn into an intelligence product. There are several questions before fusion centers such as, who are your customers, what is your product, how do you collect and analyze your data, how do you get information from emergency responders and actionable intelligence back to them? If the fusion centers can produce a timely, locally actionable, and relevant product to its customers in the form of strategic analysis to policy makers, tactical analysis to counter terrorism, tactical analysis to major criminal investigations, and situational awareness and reporting mechanisms to the emergency responder community then they will have established their value."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Nenneman, Milton
2008-03
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Federated Search Tools in Fusion Centers: Bridging Databases in the Information Sharing Environment
From the Abstract: "This research utilized a semi-structured survey instrument delivered to subject matter experts within the national network of fusion centers and employed a constant comparison method to analyze the survey results. This 'smart practice' exploration informed through an appreciative inquiry lens found considerable variation in how fusion centers plan for, gather requirements, select and acquire federated search tools to bridge disparate databases. These findings confirmed the initial hypothesis that fusion centers have received very little guidance on how to bridge disconnected databases to enhance the analytical process. This research should contribute to the literature by offering a greater understanding of the challenges faced by fusion centers, when considering integrating federated search tools; by evaluating the importance of the planning, requirements gathering, selection and acquisition processes for integrating federated search tools; by acknowledging the challenges faced by some fusion centers during these integration processes; and identifying possible solutions to mitigate those challenges. As a result, the research will be useful to individual fusion centers and more broadly, the National Fusion Center Association, which provides leadership to the national network of fusion centers by sharing lessons learned, smart practices, and other policy guidance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wormet, Jody R.
2012-09
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Strengthening the Value of the National Network of Fusion Centers by Leveraging Specialization: Defining 'Centers of Analytical Excellence'
From the Abstract: "This article reports on the main findings of a project sponsored by the National Fusion Center Association to more precisely define the term 'Centers of Analytic Excellence.' Secretary Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security previously used this term to focus public attention on the analytical component of the fusion process. Drawing upon the input of a select group of federal, state, and local intelligence expert professionals through the application of the Delphi Method, the article proposes the (re)definition of the term 'Centers of Analytical Excellence' to mean a validation of a fusion center's demonstrated excellence in a particular subject area of analytical methodology. This is a significant departure from the sense in which this term has been used previously and provides a next state for individual fusion centers that aspire to share their analytic competencies across a national network. This article also discusses a number of additional perspectives regarding the state of analysis in fusion centers as raised by the experts consulted in the project."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Abold, Justin Lewis; Guidetti, Raymond A.; Keyer, Doug
2012-06
