In the News 2007
December 2007
- DOD relying on data standards to help transform the Defense Department's business processes. Article
- Many state and local officials who work at fusion centers report problems logging onto federal networks
and have difficulty handling the high volume of information they receive from federal authorities, according
to a recent survey by government auditors. Article
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security'ss (DHS) National Applications Office (NAO) is the executive
agent to facilitate the use of intelligence community technological assets for civil, homeland security and
law enforcement purposes within the United States. The office will begin initial operation by fall 2007 and
will build on the long-standing work of the Civil Applications Committee, which was created in 1974 to
facilitate the use of the capabilities of the intelligence community for civil, non-defense uses in the United
States. Fact Sheet
- Police chiefs and sheriffs from across Maryland, Virginia and Washington gathered late last month for the
official launch of a new Web-based service that gives them access to each others' crime reports. Officials
hailed the Law Enforcement Information Exchange dubbed LInX as an important tool for crime fighting. Article
- GAO releases new report on Homeland Security: "Federal Efforts are Helping to Alleviate Some Challenges
Encountered by State and Local Fusion Centers". Report
- In what they called a breakthrough, law enforcement officials yesterday unveiled a computer system that
will allow more than 60 state and local police agencies in the D.C. area to share mug shots and crime
reports. Article
- Local intelligence-sharing centers set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks have had their anti-terrorism
mission diluted by a focus on run-of-the-mill street crime and hazards such as hurricanes, a government report
concludes. Article
November 2007
- The Defense Intelligence Agency is moving to an online Force Protection Assessment system to provide
knowledge management and real-time updates on operational security analyses. Article
- It took the 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States for Canada's spy agency and the RCMP to
figure out a better way of information sharing to prevent future acts of terrorism. The CSIS and the RCMP now
have frequent meetings across the country to share information about targets and deal with any potential
overlaps in their work. Article
- General Accountability Office (GAO) on combating nuclear terrorism. Report
- Lawmakers are cautiously optimistic that the Homeland Security Department and other federal agencies are
on the way to sharing better, more relevant and clearer threat information with state and local law
enforcement officials. Article
- Jackson, Mississippi police force receives grant to improve technology and information sharing. Article
- Homeland Security Department Secretary Michael Chertoff unveils a plan to reinforce the nation's
multihazard fusion centers with expert firefighters. Article
- As Congress debates new rules for government eavesdropping, a top intelligence official says privacy no
longer can mean anonymity. Report
- Council on Foreign Relations reviews the newly released National Strategy for Information Sharing
(NSIS). Article
- The Office of Management and Budget extends Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 deadline for the
Defense, Homeland Security, State and Veterans Affairs departments. Article
- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is moving closer to finishing the revision of the
intelligence community and Defense Department's certification and accreditation (C&A) policies. Article
- The National Governors Association awarded grants today valued at $50,000 to five states to implement
pilot projects designed to improve information sharing among public safety agencies using the National
Information Exchange Model (NIEM). Article
- The Bush administration plans to provide the necessary funding and support to make state and local fusion
centers the focal point for sharing terrorism-related intelligence with nonfederal authorities. Article
- The Justice Department's pitch to help agencies improve their security reporting is all about automation -
leaving more time to do real-time monitoring. Article
- In-Q-Tel adopts indexing software to improve data management. Article
- GAO report: Recommendations to Promote a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach to Terrorist-Related
Screening. Article
- Congressional Research Service Report - National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. Report