INTL 613 APUS Homeland Security Discussion
Fully utilize the materials that have been provided to you in order to support your response. Responses should be a minimum of 250 words and include direct questions. You may challenge, support or supplement another student’s answer using the terms, concepts and theories from the required readings. Also, do not be afraid to respectfully disagree where you feel appropriate; as this should be part of your analysis process at this academic level.
Forum posts are graded on timeliness, relevance, knowledge of the weekly readings, and the quality of original ideas. Sources utilized to support answers are to be cited in accordance with the APA writing style by providing a general parenthetical citation (reference the author, year and page number) within your post, as well as an adjoining reference list. Refer to grading rubric for additional details concerning grading criteria.
Respond to Kaitlyn:
Homeland Security goes way beyond the small scope of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in matter of fact homeland security is a main mission of the whole entire Intelligence Community (IC). In the aftermath of 9/11, we have seen the metaphoric wall, that was built between foreign and domestic intelligence, come crashing down and the efforts made to enhance the integration between intelligence and law enforcement organizations (Painter, 2017, pg. 3). As Painter (2017) states, ““National intelligence” has come to mean “all intelligence,” not just foreign intelligence.” While there are many barriers that have been diminished, there are still challenges that arise in regards to information sharing and collaboration between the IC and law enforcement entities, between IC entities in the various levels of government- federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and between the public and private sector (Painter, 2017, pg. 8). I believe the two largest obstacles preventing effective multi-agency and inter-governmental collaboration for intelligence support to homeland security operations is the various process used for sharing intelligence information and the overlapping of security responsibilities.
As the 9/11 Commission highlighted, while technological issues exist, the major challenge both with DHS and with external information sharing partners is creating a “widely accepted process for sharing mission-relevant information while adequately protecting the information” (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). In order to create a broad foundation for information sharing, trust needs to be established among all information sharing partners (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). When a lack of trust is prevalent it usually generates from the fear that shared information will not be protected effectively or used appropriately and that the sharing of information will be one sided (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). According to the Department of Homeland Security Information Sharing Strategy (2008) an example of this would be that law enforcement and the intelligence community are concerned that competing information uses will impact ongoing investigations, sources and methods. State, local, territorial, tribal and private sector partners are prepared to share intelligence information among federal government but want reassurance that information gathered at federal level will be shared within their agency as well (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). The Department must stress the importance of mission-based information sharing that guarantees the “right information gets to the right people at the right time” (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). When there are several different missions within the Department and other agencies, defining mission related information sharing needs becomes complex (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). “Clearly defined and institutionalized rules, roles and responsibilities are necessary to ensure effective information sharing” (“Department of Homeland Security,” 2008, pg. 6). To assist in these barriers, the National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America (2019) suggests that the Intelligence Community “increase the speed, portability, and trust of IC information system risk assessments to instill stakeholder confidence in the IC IE, and accelerate delivery of mission capability to users” and to “develop and implement innovate means to manage, share, and protect intelligence information in accordance with law and policy.” This notion flows into the overlapping of security responsibilities and the need to enhance the processes at which intelligence information is shared.
Thank you,
Kaitlyn M.
(2008). Department of Homeland Security Information Sharing Strategy, 1–9. Retrieved from
https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/dhs_information_sharing_strategy.pdf
(2019). National Intelligence Strategy of the United States of America, 22. Retrieved from
https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/National_Intelligence_Strategy_2019.pdf
Painter, W. L. (2017). Selected Homeland Security Issues in the 115th Congress, 3. Retrieved
from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R44847.pdf
