Information Sharing

To protect the nation's critical infrastructure and to successfully prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and natural disasters, federal, state, local, private, and international partners must first and foremost have the information needed to be situationally aware and to effectively coordinate roles and resources to address identified threats. The tragedies of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina unfortunately demonstrated that the federal government was not able to share this critical information effectively, with catastrophic results. Due to these past problems, it is important that the new administration immediately focus on strengthening policies and procedures for sharing intelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security information to support the nation's preparedness, response and recovery needs. Specific challenges include the following:

• Federal agencies have been stuck in their own stovepipes of protecting rather than sharing information. The government's single greatest failure leading up to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks was the inability of federal agencies to effectively share information about suspected terrorists and their activities, according to the former Vice Chair of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).

  Highlights of GAO-06-385 (PDF)

• Although progress has been made, federal agencies have not fully engaged state, local, and private sectors as critical partners in safeguarding the homeland. The response to Hurricane Katrina exposed critical gaps in processes, procedures, and technologies for sharing information related to assessing damages and coordinating responses.

  Highlights of GAO-06-618 (PDF)

• Although federal agencies have undertaken numerous initiatives to better share information since September 11, 2001, the nation still lacks a set of governmentwide policies and processes for sharing terrorism information.

  Highlights of GAO-08-492 (PDF)

• Challenges exist in sustaining and supporting state and local information fusion centers, deployed to fill information gaps that the federal government could not fill.

  Highlights of GAO-08-35 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

• Federal agencies need to more fully define and implement a road map to guide future initiatives and investments to strengthen information sharing, as well as a performance measurement system to measure its success.

  Highlights of GAO-08-492 (PDF)

• Federal agencies need to more effectively use the terrorist watch list-a key counterterrorism tool-to screen for and manage individuals that pose security risks to the nation and to provide redress for individuals who are mistakenly identified as someone on the list.

  Highlights of GAO-06-1031 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-08-110 (PDF)

• The federal government needs to clarify for states and localities the extent to which it will help them fund and sustain intelligence fusion centers.

  Highlights of GAO-08-35 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-08-636T (PDF)

• DHS should continue to enhance its National Operations Center to serve as the hub for information sharing among federal, state, and local partners, by gathering and disseminating information on real-time situational awareness to prevent incidents and coordinate the recovery from them.

  Highlights of GAO-07-89 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-06-618 (PDF)

• DHS should continue to work with private-sector partners to allay their concerns about sharing information on vulnerabilities at the critical infrastructure sites they own—such as power plants, chemical facilities, and banking institutions—to protect these assets and ensure they are resilient enough to quickly recover operations if an incident occurs.

  Highlights of GAO-07-39 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Information Sharing Environment: Definition of the Results to Be Achieved in Improving Terrorism-Related Information Sharing Is Needed to Guide Implementation and Assess Progress

GAO-08-492, June 25, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 62 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Address Some Challenges Faced by State and Local Fusion Centers

GAO-08-636T, April 17, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 20 pages)   Accessible Text

Terrorist Watch List Screening: Recommendations to Promote a Comprehensive and Coordinated Approach to Terrorist-Related Screening

GAO-08-253T, November 8, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 19 pages)   Accessible Text

Homeland Security: Federal Efforts Are Helping to Alleviate Some Challenges Encountered by State and Local Information Fusion Centers

GAO-08-35, October 30, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 117 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Terrorist Watch List Screening: Opportunities Exist to Enhance Management Oversight, Reduce Vulnerabilities in Agency Screening Processes, and Expand Use of the List

GAO-08-110, October 11, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 84 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Progress Coordinating Government and Private Sector Efforts Varies by Sectors' Characteristics

GAO-07-39, October 16, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 68 pages)   Accessible Text

More Reports