Information Sharing Challenges, Trends and Opportunities

Norm Beasley

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

Joe Arpaio Sheriff

USDOJ/BJARegional Information Sharing Conference

Information Sharing

One of the key findings of the 911 commission was the lack of information sharing among agencies

The need for information sharing is very clear; the challenge is how to accomplish it effectively

Information Sharing

Information sharing is critical from both a strategic and tactical perspective

Everything we do has to be information driven

The more information available the better the decision making process

Solid creditable intelligence/information is critical

Information Sharing

Everything can’t be protected

Agencies can’t continually react to non credible threats

Information guides planning and protective efforts

Solid intelligence provides a framework for prioritization of threats and future planning efforts

Information Sharing

State and local agencies are our first line of defense and play a vital role in the United States national intelligence architecture

It is critical for federal level information to be provided to state and local agencies

It is equally critical for state and local information to be provided to the federal level

Information Sharing

Significant improvements have been made in the information sharing environment between state, local and federal agencies

State and local agencies in many cases have taken the lead in enhancing information sharing within their jurisdictions with little or no direction from federal authorities

The establishment of state and local fusion centers is an example of this effort

Fusion Centers

A fusion center is a collaborative effort between two or more agencies that provides a central point for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information within a given jurisdiction

Fusion Centers

Fusion Centers are the nerve center for: Investigative support

Intelligence

Information sharing, between law enforcement, public safety, and other partners, including the private sector

Fusion Centers are the foundation for successful data integration and exchange

Why are they Important?

Key component of a jurisdictions homeland security and crime prevention efforts

Supports an all-source, all-crimes, all-hazards, all-threats approach to intelligence

Collaborative effort between a jurisdictions law enforcement and critical stakeholders

Collect, analyze, disseminate real time criminal intelligence information to operational and executive elements

Why are they Important?

Provides for deconfliction & reduces duplication of effort

Blends data from different sources, including law enforcement, public safety, and the private sector

Provide the basis for intelligence led policing and homeland security operations

Supports the National Preparedness Goals, National Infrastructure Protection Plan & the National Information Sharing Environment Implementation Plan

National Fusion Center Guidelines

Global Information Sharing Initiative Adopted by USDOJ & USDHS Provide fusion center guidance

18 operational, administrative and management topics

Challenges

Consistency and connectivity between state, local and federal centers and operations

Who receives the information received or generated by the fusion center Law Enforcement

Non-law enforcement public and private stakeholders

How is critical information provided to these stakeholders at both the classified and law enforcement sensitive levels

Challenges

Information exchanges with non-traditional partners are critical These include: Public Health, Departments of

Transportation, first responder’s, public and private agencies who share a responsibility for homeland security.

How can these sectors provide information to fusion centers that is sensitive or propriety and be assured that the information will be safeguarded from disclosure?

Federal Efforts

Recent National Developments Office of Director of National Intelligence

Released the ISE Implementation Plan (November 2006)

Establishes State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers as part of the national intelligence structure

Calls for a National Network of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

Establishes information sharing environment for state, local and federal agencies

Establishes Federal Threat Coordination Group to create products specifically for State & local fusion centers

Recent National Developments

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly supporting development of Fusion Centers.

FBI Field Offices will support their local fusion centers - commonly via co-location with FIG and JTTF

DHS Headquarters Analysts being deployed to State and UASI Fusion Centers

State and local fusion center analysts to be used in DHS/DOJ-led threat coordination cell at the National Counterterrorism Center.

Recent National Developments

USDOJ/USDHS Partnership Information Sharing Projects

Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council Fusion Center Guidelines Fusion Center Regional Conferences 1st National Fusion Center Conference in March

2007 USDOJ/SEARCH Regional Information Sharing

Conferences

Recent National Developments

USDOJ/USDHS Partnership USDOJ/BJA National Criminal Intelligence

Research Center Website Institute for Intergovernmental Research –

Intelligence Resources Website

Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program

USDHS/USDOJ Funded

Provides on Site assistance to jurisdictions

Recent National Developments

USDOJ/USDHS Fusion Center Regional Conferences Senior state and local fusion center & Homeland Security

leadership Federal partners

Top Five Concerns of Attendees Security Clearances Sensitive But Unclassified Connectivity Funding Leadership

Trust Factor

While systems are good the key to information sharing is personal relationships

Information Sharing is a business built on trust

Fusion centers enhance this capability by bringing people together in the same facility

Once trust established these relationships become institutionalized

What does this mean to You?

You are a critical component of the information sharing architecture

Criminal Justice Information, while not intelligence, is information that directly supports on going all crimes investigations

Your participation in your state or local fusion center information sharing initiatives are vital to it’s overall success

Arizona Contact Information

Norm Beasley

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

602-390-8314

n_beasley@MCSO.maricopa.gov