Homeland Security: Information Sharing Activities Face Continued Management Challenges, statement for the record by David M. Walker, comptroller general of the United States, before a joint hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. GAO-02-1122T, September 23.
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-02-1122T .... Today, governments at all levels, as well as private sector entities, recognize that they have a greater role to play in protecting the nation from terrorist attacks. To achieve this collective goal, homeland security stakeholders must more effectively work together to strengthen the process by which critical information can be shared, analyzed, integrated and disseminated to help prevent or minimize terrorist activities. The work of these committees and of others in Congress and the Administration in crafting solutions to leverage agencies' abilities and willingness to share timely, useful information is critical to the fundamental transformation required in our homeland security community to ensure an affordable, sustainable and broad-based response to new and emerging threats to our country. .... .... In my testimony today, I will discuss (1) some of the challenges to effective information sharing, including the fragmentation of information analysis responsibilities, and technology and collaboration challenges, and (2) GAO's views on addressing these challenges through transformational strategies, including strengthening the risk management framework; refining the national strategy, policy, and guidance structures to emphasize collaboration and integration among homeland security stakeholders to achieve common goals; and bolstering the fundamental management foundation integral to effective public sector performance and accountability. The statement also includes an appendix that lists GAO's recommendations on combating terrorism and the status of their implementation, as well as a list of related products. .... IWS INFOCON Mailing List @ IWS - The Information Warfare Site http://www.iwar.org.uk
