Online Security, a global provider of computer forensics and information technology risk mitigation since 1997   iac flash: Government -- DHS Security & Information Sharing Efforts Author:  Ed Appel Fact: DHS announced the Homeland Information Security Network, the Joint Regional Information Exchange System, to provide a real-time instant messaging, e-mail and live chat service for 5,000 authorized users in 300 agencies in all U.S. states, five territories and 50 urban areas, to share national alerts and threat information with state and local governments and eventually cleared businesses. Authorized users will install a $150 security software package developed by DIA on PCs in the network. A new 18-member Science and Technology Advisory Committee within DHS further supports efforts to provide security resources to “first responders” at the state and local levels. DHS said that a major a focus for the coming year is coordination and communication among governments and private security. The proposed FY2005 budget allots $5 billion to state and local governments for homeland security programs. For its attempts at state and local government coordination, DHS got a “C” from the Century Foundation, a public policy group. Analysis: DHS’ HISN will reach a minority of state and local agencies, and bypass several systems sharing data successfully among federal, state and local agencies. Many agency chiefs are frustrated with federal intelligence dissemination and the lack of system interoperability, while some feel inundated when they see streams of international and national-level threat data that have no clear impact on their jurisdiction. Comment: The many different information-sharing models being implemented highlight the lack of unity in leadership from DC and within the “first responder” state/local groups. Technologies to share data are already in operation and improving, but the policies, unity of purpose and inclusion of all responders – law enforcement, emergency services, and private security (the real first responders) – are still under development. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3382-2004Feb24.html?referrer=emailarticle : http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/25215-1.html , http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0204/022604td2.htm http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3382-2004Feb24.html?referrer=emailarticle, http://www.washingtontechnology.com/news/18_18/state/22359-1.html, http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0304/030504nj1.htm http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2003homeland/1 http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A3382-2004Feb24¬Found=true