Homeland Defense Journal – 3rd Annual Fusion Center and Information Sharing Strategies Conference

On December 22, 2009, in RESEARCH, by admin

About this Workshop:

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, multiple commissions and the Federal Government determined that one of the critical factors that led to the attacks was the inability of federal, state, local and other law enforcement activities to collect, analyze and disseminate intelligence information. It is widely accepted that the indicators were there but were not recognized or shared in a timely manner. . Our nation’s need to reorganize our intelligence capabilities has resulted in over 40 federally funded regional, state and local fusion centers across the country to act as our nation’s eyes and ears in the war against terror.

As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, has deployed 31 intelligence officers as of December 2008 with plans to have 70 additional professionals deployed by the end of 2009. DHS has provided more than $327 million from FY 2004-2009 to state and local governments to support t fusion centers.

The goal of fusion centers is to prevent manmade threats and to respond to natural disasters as effectively and efficiently as possible. The ability to integrate multiple streams of intelligence, gathered not only from federal, state and local government agencies, but also the private sector and local citizenry, allows a more accurate and comprehensive picture of risks to people, infrastructures and our communities. The goal of this integrated approach to intelligence gathering is to synthesize the information and translate it into protective action.

There is no one “model” for fusion centers and how they should be structured and operated. There is little guidance or a nationwide consensus on the role of a fusion center in the war on terror or in the fight against crime. Consequently, fusion centers nationwide have varied priorities and roles from state and local law enforcement. These priorities and roles range from counter-narcotics, criminal intelligence and counterterrorism creating an all-crimes and all-hazards approach to intelligence analysis and fusion. A Congressional report stated that there is little “true fusion” or analysis of disparate data sources, identification of intelligence gaps or pro-active collection of intelligence against those gaps which could prevent protective action from being taken.

The 3rd Annual Fusion Center and Information Sharing Strategies Conference will bring together government officials, emergency responders, security personnel and the private sector to address the issues of fusion centers information sharing. Attendees will hear experts discuss the role of fusion centers and hear first hand from “model” fusion centers that have clear operational and technical capabilities. Speakers will provide insight into the functions, operations and the role of technology in the fusion center and how the three must be integrated for effective information sharing. Speakers will discuss best practices, new trends, tools, technologies, SARS, baseline capabilities, and processes that can help fusion center stakeholders improve information and intelligence sharing and collaboration across all levels of government and private industry.

What You Will Learn:

* Methods of integrating disparate intelligence information

* The effective use of career intelligence officers

* Strategies to consolidation selected fusion centers and the cost/benefit trade-offs

* Use of an all hazards approach vs. specific criminal activity

* Interpreting and applying existing Federal guidelines

* What are the Funding sources for fusion centers

* What are the Training and technology needs for fusion centers

* Analysis of civil liberties and privacy concerns

* Fusion center best practices

Who Should Attend:

* Federal, state and local security planners involved with fusion centers or information sharing