GAO Says Homeland Security Networks Need to be Better Coordinated with State and Local Information Sharing Initiatives

The Government Accountability Office today released a report saying that numerous federal networks used to support homeland security need to be better coordinated with key state and local information sharing initiatives. While "DHS is statutorily responsible for coordinating the federal government's networks and related systems with state and local government," said the GAO, efforts in that regard are just beginning.

"Consequently," concluded the GAO in its highlight section, "until DHS develops an inventory of key state and local initiatives and fully implements coordination and collaboration practices, it is at risk that effective information sharing is not occurring and that its Homeland Security Information Network may be duplicating state and local capabilities. This also raises the issue of whether similar coordination and duplication issues exist with the other homeland security networks, systems, and applications under DHS's purview."
KW