House passes law to improve sharing of threat information

Legislation passed by the House Tuesday (H.R. 553) would require DHS to produce a declassified version of threat information for state and local first responders who don’t have the security clearance to view classified material. The measure would also require portion marking, where certain classified parts of a document might be blacked out but the rest of the information would remain unclassified.

Overview of Napolitano’s Action Directives

In her first 10 days in office, new Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has issued 12 “action directives” focused on specific homeland security areas. Here’s an overview of all the action directives, including their purpose and a brief look at what they may indicate for Homeland Security policy in the Obama administration.

DHS IG Report: DHS’ role in fusion centers

The DHS Office of Inspector General issued a report last week on “DHS’ Role in
State and Local Fusion Centers”, in response to a request from U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson. Here’s a summary of the 7 recommendations made in the report.

DHS IG report recommends greater HSIN responsiveness

The information-sharing network of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must do a better job of meeting its customers needs, concluded a report from the department’s inspector general (IG) released December 5th.

Event: House Homeland Security Committee roundtables on privacy, civil rights, & civil liberties at DHS

When:  Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Where: 311 Cannon House Office Building, Washington D.C.
Time:  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Majority Staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security will host a series of roundtable discussions on the future of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties at DHS.  The event, entitled “A Path Forward: [...]

Committee leaders await findings on info sharing network

From FCW:
The House Homeland Security Committee’s Democratic leadership remains concerned about the Homeland Security Department’s effort to overhaul its platform for sharing sensitive but unclassified information with state and local authorities, dubbed HSIN Next Gen (HSIN = Homeland Security Information Network).
In July, the chairman, Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and a senior member, Jane Harman (D-CA), asked [...]

GAO: HSIN Nextgen needs more acquisition controls

From HSToday:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is well on its way to upgrading the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) which shares threat information with state and local authorities, but the department could benefit from increased management of the purchase of the next generation system, according to a report from the GAO published Wednesday.
DHS could [...]

House bills focus on improved information sharing

A couple bills in the House intended to promote information sharing.  Both have passed in the House, but haven’t yet passed in the Senate.
[Update 10/09: See also: Seven Years after 9/11, Spies Finally Forced to Share - If nothing else, the photo posted with the article is worth a smile]

1. H.R. 3815, Homeland Security Open [...]

House lifts DHS restrictions on use of grants for fusion centers

The House last week passed legislation that would force DHS to lift some restrictions on how state and local authorities can use DHS grants to fund state and local intel fusion centers.
The measure would ensure states and local authorities can use up to 50 percent of grant money awarded under two grant programs to pay [...]

GAO Delivers Report Critical of DHS Information Sharing

The GAO delivered a report on DHS progress toward Homeland Security information sharing.  The report was mostly critical of DHS, though some industry observers say it was too critical, not giving DHS enough credit for what they’ve accomplished.
Congress Gets Report Card on Homeland Security Information Sharing
Testimony of Charles E. Allen before the U.S. House of [...]