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Qualia: A Prescription for Developing a Quality Health Threat Assessment
From the thesis abstract: "The 9/11 Commission Report called for consolidation of intelligence assets in order to unify the knowledge base of the intelligence community agencies. This concept gave rise to the fusion center as a place for the fusion of multiple information sources from local, state, and federal levels of government. Although the need for inclusion of health and medical information in fusion centers has been documented, relatively few have done so, and a product designed specifically toward health and medical intelligence currently does not exist at the state and local level. The purpose of this paper is to document a methodology for development of a health threat assessment as a means for the intelligence community to maintain a decision advantage, particularly at the state and local level where the intelligence developed will provide the most benefit to first responders and the local community. This model demonstrates the need for the public health and medical community to improve collaboration across sectors to produce a more integrated product that enhances the understanding of the entire community, thus developing qualia. This can only be accomplished through trust, complete transparency, and clarification of expectations in order to establish the consummate information sharing community."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Pritchett, Beverly A.
2008-12
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Preventing Terrorism Using Information Sharing Networks
From the thesis abstract: "Many states currently do not have an intelligence fusion center, and therefore, their ability to prevent and deter a terrorist attack is limited by the lack of information sharing. Wisconsin in addition to many states lacks a central hub for information exchange and currently has no system in place that allows the variety of technologies to gain access to a common database to gather and/or exchange information. The vast majority of public safety agencies currently operate their own systems that are incapable of exchanging information. The inability to exchange and/or access information in user-friendly format has inhibited many state and local efforts to keep its citizens safe from the possibility of a terrorist attack. The ultimate goal is to provide a mechanism where law enforcement , public safety and private sector partners can come together with a common purpose and improve the ability to safeguard our homeland and prevent criminal activity. Terrorism Early Warning Systems (TEW's) embody the core of collaboration and are an effective tool to maximize available resources and build trusted relationships. The fusion process should be organized and coordinated on a statewide level between the major Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) areas and the statewide fusion center concept."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
France, Paul
2006-09
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SAVER TechNote: Data Fusion [October 2011]
"Data fusion is a collection of processes, systems, and standards to facilitate the collection, combination, and analysis of information from multiple sources in order to gain a more complete understanding of the data used within emergency responder agencies. After 9/11, the importance of sharing data between law enforcement and intelligence agencies resulted in more standardized data fusion practices throughout the law enforcement and intelligence communities. In addition, data fusion centers have been established across the nation to collect and disseminate information from disparate sources."
System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER); United States. Department of Homeland Security
2011-10
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SAVER Highlight: Data Fusion/Synthesis [November 2011]
"Data fusion is a collection of processes, systems, and standards to facilitate the collection, combination, and analysis of information from multiple sources in order to gain a more complete understanding of the data used within emergency responder agencies. After 9/11, the importance of sharing data between law enforcement and intelligence agencies resulted in more standardized data fusion practices. Data fusion centers have been established across the nation to collect and disseminate information from disparate sources."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER)
2011-11
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LEAP: A Law Enforcement Assistance and Partnership Strategy -- Improving Information Sharing Between the Intelligence Community and State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement
This LEAP Information Sharing Strategy outlays seven initiatives to strengthen the abilities for police and law enforcement officers in the fight against terrorism. These initiatives are: First, police and sheriffs' officers believe that in order to be effective in preventing terrorism and related criminal activity, it is essential that they fully participate in the intelligence cycle at both the federal and non-federal levels and become advocates for law enforcement intelligence products that meet their requirements. Second, major city law enforcement executives agree that one of the best ways to help thwart terrorist attacks in this country is to send liaisons from their departments
to their foreign counterparts in order to boost their understanding of how terrorists are operating internationally and to obtain on-the-scene situational awareness whenever attacks occur abroad. Third, law enforcement officers speak highly of "fusion" centers that have been established at the state and local levels to analyze the millions of pieces of data available to them, state health authorities, local first responders, the private sector, and other
homeland security players. Fourth, state, local, and tribal law enforcement participation in state and local fusion centers advances the cause of intelligence-led policing by involving officers in the intelligence process on a daily basis; helping them build relationships across every level and discipline of government and the private sector; and ensuring that law enforcement intelligence and other information is shared with their home communities. Fifth, another information sharing challenge cited by many law enforcement officers is the lack of sufficient amounts of specific and actionable information that might help them detect and thwart a potential terrorist attack. Congress accordingly should establish and fund a "Vertical Intelligence Terrorism Analysis Link (VITAL)" - at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) - to facilitate information sharing and to
ensure that law enforcement intelligence is written in a way that is actually useful to police and sheriffs' officers. Sixth, where intelligence information cannot be "sanitized" to an unclassified law enforcement sensitive level, law enforcement executives need security clearances so they can access data that is relevant to protecting people and places within their jurisdictions. Seventh, to ensure that these information sharing initiatives work, Congress should establish and fund a benchmark and biennial survey of intelligence-led policing
around the nation. This "Targeting Intelligence-Led Policing Satisfaction (TIPS)
Benchmark Survey" would review the quality of information being shared, would gauge its usefulness to a variety of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and would publicly identify areas for improvement.
United States. Congress. House. Select Committee on Homeland Security
2006-09
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Terrorism Prevention Exercise Program: Intelligence Analysis and Production Internal Information Sharing and Tracking Systems
"Fusion Centers should utilize a system for sharing information internally, such as a privately-accessible portal. An internal portal can be used to track tasks, assign research duties, and access shared files. The SEAHAWK intelligence center in Charleston, SC utilizes an internal portal for intelligence collection, analysis, and research tasks. […] The State of South Carolina, including local jurisdictions, participated in a multi-state, Full-Scale Exercise that tested a broad spectrum of terrorism prevention capabilities. The exercise, held in May 2007, lasted approximately three weeks and emphasized intelligence analysis, information sharing, and recognition of indicators and warnings in and among participating jurisdictions. One of the exercise objectives was to assess the overall operation of a multidisciplinary, all-source information/intelligence fusion center/processes. The SEAHAWK intelligence center in Charleston, SC maintains a highly functional internal information sharing portal as part of its process."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency. National Exercise Division. Terrorism Prevention Exercise Program
2010-08-10?
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Northern California Regional Intelligence Center [website]
"The Northern California Regional Intelligence Center (NCRIC) is a local, state and federal cooperative public safety and private sector information fusion center. The center provides a central location for the collection, evaluation, analysis and dissemination of terrorism, homeland security, narcotics, gangs, organized crime and public safety related information. The Center produces and disseminates intelligence products, conducts training and establishes and maintains liaison with public safety agencies and private sector organizations operating in the Bay Area. The primary mission of NCRIC is a prevention strategy to serve as the focal point for information fusion, legal sharing of information and coordination of prevention resources among public safety personnel and the private sector concerning terrorism, narcotics, gang, organized crime and public safety threats. The NCRIC collects, evaluates, and analyzes incident reports of suspicious activities reported by the private sector and public safety communities, in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist, narcotics, gang, organized crime and related criminal operations within the Bay Area. The NCRIC then produces and disseminates reports and bulletins to public safety agency and private sector personnel who have the right and need to know the information. The NCRIC provides analytical and technical support to public safety agencies investigating suspected terrorist, narcotics, gang and organized crime related criminal activities. The NCRIC also functions as a vehicle for two-way communication between the FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force, State Terrorism Threat Assessment System, public safety and private sector community within our fifteen county region."
Northern California Regional Intelligence Center
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Watermark: The Alumni Magazine of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security [Fall 2014]
This edition of Watermark contains the following articles: "CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] Education has Worldwide Reach"; "Containing an Epidemic: Stopping the Spread of Ebola"; "Hutchinson Advocates Preparedness and Collaboration for Pandemic Threats"; "DHS Identifies CHDS' Fusion Center Leaders Program as One of Top 10 Federal Fusion Center Support Programs"; "Infusing the Fire Service into Intelligence Centers"; "Education, Experience Prepared Austin for Rear Admiral Role"; "Class Notes"; "CHDS Thesis Provides Base for WMU [Western Michigan University] Cooley Law School Program"; "Assistant City Manager Adds Reserve Police Officer to His Homeland Security Resume"; "No Easy Solutions for Border Security Challenges"; "Walsh Honored for Cyber Security Education Effort"; "Hafez Brings Middle East Insight to CHDS"; and "Defeating ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] is More than a Military Challenge".
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2014
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Comprehensive Fusion Liaison Officer Program: The Arizona Model
From the thesis abstract: "Many of the fusion centers recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have established a liaison officer program with the intent of sharing information. In Arizona, the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center's Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) Program has become an institution that is relied upon by participant jurisdictions for intelligence and information sharing between federal, state and local governments, along with unifying critical infrastructure initiatives and responding to major events. The network provides professional and vetted-out partners throughout the public safety community to assist jurisdictions in addressing many high-risk events and incidents. In the Phoenix urban area, TLOs respond to moderate and large scenes to support incident commanders with critical infrastructure data, a law enforcement intelligence research capability and a fire/emergency medical service/hazardous materials coordination capability that did not exist prior to the TLO program's establishment. The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center's TLO program can serve as a model for fusion centers by demonstrating how multilayered and multijurisdictional relationships can be leveraged into a comprehensive network to address complex issues."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wickers, William F., Jr.
2015-03
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H. Rept. 114-756: Cyber Preparedness Act of 2016, Report to Accompany H.R. 5459, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, September 19, 2016
"The purpose of H.R. 5459 is to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for cyber-attacks, bolster the dissemination of homeland security information related to cyber threats, and for other purposes. [...] Cybersecurity is a major national security issue and the threat is real and immediate. For instance, a cyber-attack causing widespread power outages could have major cascading consequences on public health and safety. During a joint hearing of the Subcommittees on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications and Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies on May 24, 2016, Members heard from State officials about their best practices and lessons learned in enhancing cybersecurity capabilities and how the Federal Government can help mitigate some of the challenges States face. Among the issues raised by the witnesses was the need for better information sharing between the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) and state and major urban area fusion centers; the need for clarity on the use of homeland security grants to address cybersecurity; and the impact the level of classification of cyber threat information has on States and fusion centers' ability to share that information with relevant stakeholders. This legislation seeks to address these concerns."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2016-09-19
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Terrorism Prevention Exercise Program: Information Sharing and Dissemination Analyst Exchange Program
"Fusion Centers that communicate frequently with each other should consider implementing an analyst exchange program. A cross-border prevention exercise with New York and Quebec demonstrated the effectiveness of an analyst exchange program and how it facilitates information sharing and helps develop personal contacts between fusion centers. When appropriate, the exchange program should include other staff members in addition to analysts, such as investigators or law enforcement detail. […] The State of New York and the Province of Quebec participated in a cross-border, Functional Exercise in late 2008. The exercise tested a broad spectrum of terrorism prevention capabilities and lasted approximately two weeks. The exercise emphasized intelligence analysis and information sharing and dissemination. One of the key objectives and goals of the exercise was to evaluate existing methods for sharing information between New York and Quebec and to determine their effectiveness. The exercise illustrated benefits from an existing analyst-exchange program between the New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC) and the Sûreté du Québec- the Quebec Provincial Police - (SQ)."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency. National Exercise Division. Terrorism Prevention Exercise Program
2010-08-10?
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Delaware Information and Analysis Center (DIAC) [website]
From the "About" section of the website, the Delaware Information and Analysis Center (DIAC) mission statement: "The DIAC takes an 'all crimes, all hazards' approach to public safety and includes other disciplines or stakeholders in the information sharing environment within Delaware. The concept of a fusion center is the intake of information from multiple sources, determine their validity and relevancy, then analyze, collate, and organize this information into useful and many types of relevant analytical products for dissemination to Delaware stakeholders, that have a right and need to know this information, for public safety." The DIAC provides essential visibility and training, protects critical infrastructure, and supports the nation's fusion center network.
Delaware Information and Analysis Center
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Fiscal Year 2010 Budget for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, June 24, 2009
From the opening statement of Jane Harman: "The House Appropriations Committee has already reported out the Homeland Security appropriation legislation for fiscal year 2010, it is important that we use our time here today to talk about how the House Appropriations Committee funding for the analysis and operations account will affect the Department's mission. Although the I&A budget numbers are classified, we should be able to get a general sense of whether or not the appropriators are providing adequate resources and funding necessary to fulfill its critical mission. Let me just say that I know the amount that came out of the appropriations committee was roughly $11.8 million short of what the President requested, and I think that is going to be an issue that I will be focusing on at this hearing. Of particular significance is the funding allocated for the fusion centers and support for them. I think we can all agree that they play a critical role in facilitating information sharing at all levels of government. We need to ensure that these centers are receiving all that they need to work effectively. We must remember that if the Office of Intelligence and Analysis as a whole is not provided the resources it needs, it will not have the capability to provide adequate support to the fusion centers and countless other programs so important after 9/11. It is also important to note this is the first budget to fund the substantial increases in authority resulting from the 9/11 Implementation Act which this committee passed and realigned the responsibilities of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and added additional responsibilities to the under secretary. Therefore, again sufficient funding in my view is needed to help realign your efforts and your office's efforts according to this legal mandate." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jane Harman, Michael T. McCaul, and Bart R. Johnson.
United States. Government Printing Office
2011
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ELC Enhancing Detection: New Hampshire Testing Plan
From the Document: "The State of New Hampshire currently has two sites performing high throughput testing, the New Hampshire State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). PHL: Since early March 2020, the PHL has been veriying RNA [ribonucleic acid] extraction platforms, PCR [polymerase chain reaction] Kits and PCR instruments to increase its testing capacity. Currently, the PHL has one each of MagNA Pure 24, Qiagen EZ1 and King Fisher Flex instrument for RNA extraction and six ABI7500 instruments running CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] EUA [Emergency Use Authorization] assay with the capacity to test ~500 samples/day. The PHL is expecting to receive and verify a Hologic Pabther Fusion instrument in early August. The Panther Fusion will allow the PHL to perform an additional ~500 tests/day begining [sic] in August 2020."
United States. Department of Health and Human Services
2020-07-08?
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Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN): 2019 Annual Report
From the Executive Summary: "In the area of cybersecurity, more than 80 government agencies use HSIN [Homeland Security Information Network] to participate in the Cyber Intelligence Network (CIN), which was established by the National Fusion Center Association. In FY19, the CIN launched its 24/7 National Cyber Situational Awareness Room (SitRoom) on HSIN. More than 550 cyber analysts and investigators across all 50 states use the SitRoom to share and analyze raw data to develop plans to prevent the next incident from occurring. In another cyber initiative, over 850 participants used HSIN for the Cyber Shield 19 exercise. The major exercise involved State National Guards from approximately 40 states, multiple fusion centers and metropolitan law enforcement agencies, and over 20 organizations representing industry and academia. HSIN also played a key role in the Elections Infrastructure Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), which allowed state and local jurisdictions to have access to a dedicated venue to share information about cyber threats and vulnerabilities specific to election systems."
Homeland Security Information Network (U.S.)
2020-03-27?
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1870, Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on March 18, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1870 would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize the assignment of federal officers and intelligence analysts to existing fusion centers in jurisdictions where high-risk surface transportation systems are located to enhance the gathering and sharing of information about security-related threats. (Fusion centers are state-owned facilities that help coordinate the efforts of government agencies and other law enforcement entities to assess threats.) The bill also would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review implementation of those information sharing activities. Lastly, H.R. 1870 would authorize DHS to develop a training program for nonfederal law enforcement agencies."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-04-23
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Information Sharing: Federal Agencies Are Sharing Border and Terrorism Information with Local and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies, but Additional Efforts Are Needed, Report to the Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives
"Information is a crucial tool in securing the nation's borders against crimes and potential terrorist threats, with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the FBI, having key information sharing roles. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which (1) local and tribal officials in border communities received useful information from their federal partners, (2) federal agencies supported state fusion centers'--where states collaborate with federal agencies to improve information sharing--efforts to develop border intelligence products, and (3) local and tribal agencies were aware of the suspicious activities they are to report. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed relevant laws, directives, policies, and procedures; contacted a nongeneralizable sample of 20 agencies in border communities and five fusion centers (based on geographic location and size); and interviewed DHS and FBI officials."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2009-12
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Global Highlights: Winter 2008
"Just released--the new Global Highlights! Debuted at the National Fusion Center Conference in March, this first quarter 2008 edition covers achievements by and related to goals of the U.S. DOJ's Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative, with an emphasis on efforts supporting fusion centers. Also included is the latest membership information--new Global Advisory Committee (GAC) representatives and leaders (recently elected GAC Vice Chair Carl Wicklund); award winners (Dr. Alan Harbitter and Thomas O'Reilly named to the prestigious ranks of FCW's Federal 100); and our volunteer spotlight, featuring Judge Anthony Capizzi, one of the many dedicated professionals that contribute time and talents to the success of this important Initiative."
United States. Department of Justice
2008
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Guidance for Building Communities of Trust
"Guidance for Building Communities of Trust(BCOT) focuses on developing relationships of trust between law enforcement, fusion centers, and the communities they serve, particularly immigrant and minority communities, so that the challenges of crime control and prevention of terrorism can be addressed. Lessons learned have been documented from a series of roundtable discussions held across the country in the past year between state and major urban area fusion centers, local law enforcement, and community advocates. The resulting Guidance provides advice and recommendations on how to initiate and sustain trusting relationships that support meaningful sharing of information, responsiveness to community concerns and priorities, and the reporting of suspicious activities. The importance for communities and law enforcement to build and maintain trusting relationships to prevent acts of crime and terrorism, is the overarching theme of this document."
United States. Department of Homeland Security; United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance; United States. Department of Justice. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
Wasserman, Robert
2010-07
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Use of EMS Personnel as Intelligence Sensors: Critical Issues and Recommended Practices
"The use of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel as information collectors to support Terrorism Early Warning Groups (TEWGs) and other intelligence fusion centers is advocated by academic papers, professional journals, and best-practice documents. However, intelligence fusion centers are not integrating EMS personnel into their information collection systems, due to strategic concerns about medical confidentiality, EMS professional issues, and society's expectations of medical personnel. This article analyses these issues, describes the development of an EMS information collection program, and presents a model EMS information collection protocol. EMS participation in information collection programs is not without risk or consequences, and may be contrary to society's expectations of EMS professionals. When considering such a program, sponsoring organizations should secure a legal review and follow a methodical implementation process. For the long term, the EMS, intelligence, homeland security, law enforcement, and medical communities must maintain a dialogue and develop consensus on the strategic consequences of this practice."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Petrie, Michael
2007-09
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Remarks by the Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff 2006 Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice and SEARCH Symposium on Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing [March 14, 2006]
In these remarks, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff addresses the U.S. Department of Justice and SEARCH Symposium on Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing. He speaks primarily on what the Department of Homeland Security is doing with respect to information and intelligence sharing and fusion, and how DHS uses this to achieve its all-hazards mission, and to support State and local partners and the law enforcement community in what they do. There is discussion on intelligence fusion centers, and embedding State and local law enforcement into Homeland Security Operations Centers to further ensure the information flow continues to operate freely.
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Press Office
Chertoff, Michael, 1953-
2006-03-14
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FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin: December 2007
This issue of the monthly FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin features four articles. The first, "Countering Violent Islamic Extremism," by Carol Dyer, Ryan E. McCoy, Joel Rodriquz, and Donald N. Van Duyn, explains how working with communities and identifying patterns and trends can help counter the spread of extremist ideology. "Words Make Worlds," by Angus Smith, emphasizes the importance of law enforcement and intelligence communities understanding extremist language. "Operation Smokescreen," by Robert Fromme and Rick Schwein," presents a case study illustrating that terrorists are operating in small towns. "A Look at Fusion Centers," by Bart R. Johnson, describes the development and work of fusion centers. Other material in this issue includes an overview of a plastic spike as an unusual weapon, a leadership spotlight on fellowship, and bulletin reports on computer-based training, crime victims, juvenile justice, and education.
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
2007-12
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Milwaukee Police Department: Operation Cornerstone
"In the summer of 2010, several shootings involving shotguns took place in a six-block radius on the south side of the city of Milwaukee. The problem resulted from a gang war between two Hispanic street gangs, the Sureno 13, Mexican Posse Sur 13's (MP's), and Clantones Sur 13 (C14). The problem was identified by Milwaukee Police Department during an agency-wide briefing and directed to Detective Thomas Obregon of the Milwaukee Police Department's Intelligence Fusion Center. Detective Obregon is a Gang Liaison Officer recently introduced into the Milwaukee Fusion Center to coordinate initiatives with local, state, federal, and tribal partners in an effort to mitigate the threat that organized gangs bring to the region. Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Police Officers assigned to the Neighborhood Policing Bureau were addressing the numerous violent crimes involving the Latino gangs on an individual incident basis. The violent crimes continued without interruption despite the investigative efforts of the police department. Continuity problems and a lack of communication between investigators were identified as the cause of the mitigation failure. Robberies, shootings, and drug dealing skyrocketed and created a sense of chaos in the neighborhood."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
2011?
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DHS Intelligence Analysis: Additional Actions Needed to Address Analytic Priorities and Workforce Challenges, Congressional Requesters
"DHS [Department of Homeland Security] plays a vital role in securing the nation, and its intelligence analysis capabilities are a key part of this effort. Within DHS, I&A [DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis] has a lead role for intelligence analysis, but other operational components also perform their own analysis activities. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the management of departmental analysis efforts. This report addresses the extent to which (1) DHS intelligence analysis activities are integrated to support departmental intelligence priorities, (2) I&A customers find analytic products and services useful, and (3) I&A has addressed challenges in maintaining a skilled analytic workforce. GAO examined mechanisms DHS used to coordinate analysis across components, I&A reports and feedback surveys, and human capital plans. GAO also interviewed officials from I&A, the five DHS components with intelligence analysis as a core function, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who represent the Intelligence Community, 7 of 78 fusion centers (focal points within states that analyze and share information), and the private sector. The fusion center and sector interviews, chosen based on geographic location and other factors, are not generalizable, but provided insight on progress."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2014-06
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Information Sharing: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining in Sharing Terrorism-Related Information, Statement of Eileen R. Larence Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, Statement for the Record To the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
"A breakdown in information sharing was a major factor contributing to the failure to prevent the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since then, federal, state, and local governments have taken steps to improve sharing. This statement focuses on government efforts to (1) establish the Information Sharing Environment (ISE), a government-wide approach that facilitates the sharing of terrorism-related information; (2) support fusion centers, where states collaborate with federal agencies to improve sharing; (3) provide other support to state and local agencies to enhance sharing; and (4) strengthen use of the terrorist watchlist. GAO's [Government Accountability Office] comments are based on products issued from September 2010 through July 2011 and selected updates in September 2011. For the updates, GAO reviewed reports on the status of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to support fusion centers, and interviewed DHS officials regarding these efforts. This statement also includes preliminary observations based on GAO's ongoing watchlist work. For this work, GAO is analyzing the guidance used by agencies to nominate individuals to the watchlist and agency procedures for screening individuals against the list, and is interviewing relevant officials from law enforcement and intelligence agencies, among other things. [...] GAO is not making new recommendations, but has made recommendations in prior reports to federal agencies to enhance information sharing. The agencies generally agreed and are making progress, but full implementation of these recommendations is needed."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2011-10-12
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Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Policy Development Template for State, Local, and Tribal Justice Entities
"Existing federal and state constitutional provisions, statutes, rules, and regulations forbid certain conduct and prescribe what and how information can be collected, used, maintained (including storage, review, and validation/purge), and shared. However, there may be gaps in these provisions--areas in which entities and individuals can exercise discretion in deciding how to proceed. Entities are encouraged to adopt policies and practices based on the exercise of this discretion in a manner that leads to more comprehensive protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. This template is provided to assist entity personnel in developing a privacy policy related to the information the entity collects, receives, maintains, archives, accesses, and discloses to entity personnel; governmental agencies; fusion centers; Information Sharing Environment (ISE) participants, on behalf of fusion centers; and other participating criminal justice and public safety agencies, as well as to private contractors and the general public. The provisions suggested in this template are intended to be incorporated into the entity's general operational policies and day-to-day operations and to provide explicit and detailed privacy protection guidance to entity personnel and other authorized source and user agencies. Each section is a fundamental component of a comprehensive policy that includes baseline provisions on information collection, information quality (IQ), collation and analysis, merging of records, information access and disclosure, redress, security safeguards, retention and destruction, accountability and enforcement, and training."
United States. Office of Justice Programs
2012-04
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Real-Time and Open Source Analysis: Resource Guide
"The National Network of Fusion Centers (NNFC), in partnership with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's (ODNI) Office of Partner Engagement-Information Sharing Environment (PEISE), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the associations represented on the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council (CICC), developed the Real-Time and Open Source Analysis (ROSA) Resource Guide to assist agencies and fusion centers in understanding the lawful and appropriate use of open source information, focusing on social media. It is designed to help law enforcement agencies and analytic personnel understand the potential tools and resources available to support law enforcement operational and analytic activities, while ensuring that related privacy, civil rights, civil liberties (P/CRCL) concerns are addressed."
United States. Bureau of Justice Assistance
2017-07
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Watermark: The Alumni Magazine of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security [Spring 2012]
This edition of Watermark contains the following articles:'CHDS Alum Invited to Conference at the White House'; 'Tracy Frazzano Advances Active Shooter Strategies'; 'Stephanie Yanta Honored'; 'APEX Conference 2012'; 'Innovators Enlighten Alumni'; 'Experience Drove Biasotti to Thesis'; 'Noel Heffernan at the United Nations'; 'Pfeifer, Schwartz Address NCR Cohort'; 'NCIS Deputy Director speaks to ELP'; 'CHDS Supports Fusion Centers'; 'Development'; 'McAllister Speaks to Fusion Center'; 'Group'; 'Brannan Receives Teaching Award'; 'Faculty Feature: Chris Bellavita'; 'Mike Brown Receives INS Award'; and 'UAPI Hits Milestone'.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2012
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S. Rept. 115-355: DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, Report to accompany H.R. 5079 Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, November 13, 2018
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 5079, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, is to require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) to develop an engagement strategy with fusion centers and update it at least every five years. It also requires the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to develop and disseminate performance metrics for field personnel assigned to fusion centers. It authorizes the Department's Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Under Secretary for to develop policies and metrics to improve utilization of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) and authorizes technical improvements to the network."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2018-11-13
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S. Rept. 116-16: DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act Report to Accompany H.R. 504, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, March 25, 2019
From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 504, the DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, is to require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS or the Department) to develop an engagement strategy with fusion centers and update it at least every five years. It also requires the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to develop and disseminate performance metrics for field personnel assigned to fusion centers. It authorizes the Department's Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Under Secretary for I&A to develop policies and metrics to improve utilization of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) and authorizes technical improvements to the network."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2019-03-25
