Other, HLSS302 HLSS302 DISCUSSION WEEK 6
Description
I need a 300 word discussion post as well as two 200 word responses.
Discussion Post: Describe the concept and intent behind fusion centers and explain what you consider to be the primary benefits offered to the homeland security enterprise. Provide examples of associated programs and projects currently associated with intelligence and information sharing at the federal, state, or local level.
Response #1 (Brandon): Fusion centers are essential hubs where various government, law enforcement, and private sector partners unite to share intelligence, analyze threats, and coordinate responses for improved homeland security. The core purpose of fusion centers is to facilitate seamless information sharing among different stakeholders to address security threats effectively. Fusion centers offer key benefits such as real-time information sharing, enhanced situational awareness, coordination and collaboration among diverse entities, detailed intelligence analysis, and support for investigations and operations.
One such program is the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative (NSI), which encourages standardized reporting of suspicious activities for preventing terrorism and crime. Fusion centers are crucial in receiving, analyzing, and disseminating these reports. Furthermore, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) provides a secure platform for collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, with fusion centers utilizing it for information sharing and response coordination. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants support to high-threat urban areas in building capabilities to combat terrorism, with fusion centers playing a significant role in intelligence sharing and response planning. Additionally, the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) facilitates the exchange of criminal intelligence information among regional centers, with fusion centers often collaborating with RISS to address criminal activities, including terrorism.
Smith, J., & Johnson, S. (2021). Fusion Centers: Enhancing Intelligence Sharing and Coordination in the Homeland Security Enterprise. Journal of Homeland Security Studies, 7(2), 45-62.
Response #2 (Chris): Hello everyone,
First and foremost, through the last five weeks of class, we have looked at a multitude of different complex ideas, concepts, organizations, partnerships, infrastructure, and the issues that coincide with those mechanisms. In the United States, the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) is responsible for drafting, training, sharing, and implementing vital information and practices to prevent and withstand copious threats against the homeland and its critical infrastructure. A large part of the Homeland Security Enterprise’s capabilities and responsibilities is conducting intelligence and counterintelligence far and wide in the U.S. across federal, state, and local platforms and organizations. One of the primary movers in providing adequate security and intelligence measures in the HSE is utilizing fusion centers.
Fusion centers play a dynamic role in the Homeland Security Enterprise. A fusion center is an entity that is state-owned and operated and act as a centered location for states and major urban areas to analyze, share, and gather threat-related details across State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT), federal and private sector groups (DHS,2019). How fusion centers can supply this information sharing capability is unique. Since these centers are integrated into their communities, they can offer a unique perspective on specific threats within their localities as a frontline expert. Fortunately, fusion centers throughout the U.S. fall into a national network called the National Network of Fusion Centers (NNFC) allowing for two-way information sharing. In my opinion, the primary benefits fusion centers feed to the HSE are extracting and routing up extremely refined information and threats because of their “hometown” relationships and being able to strategize emergency responses while waiting for higher-level guidance (Bureau of Justice Assistance, n.d.). Moreover, fusion centers can task out local stakeholders like police and fire departments for assistance, instead of waiting for state or federal recommendations to be sent back down the chain. Nonetheless, fusion centers are one of many mechanisms the United States has to maintain intelligence and information.
Looking further, the United States is scattered with endless programs and projects that are currently associated with intelligence and information sharing across all federal, state, and local chains. At the federal level, the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) is the official system of the Department of Homeland Security in charge of the trusted sharing of Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) information across all levels of government (DHS, 2023). This platform has created the Standardized Incident Management Dashboard Template, which can be used to quickly and efficiently pass best practices to benefit public safety during mass events. For example, this platform acted as a “go-to” tool for entities involved in the Boston Marathon Bombing, Deepwater Horizon, and other major events. It is a very neat and easy-to-use tool and the DHS shares a quick video on its exact processes, check it out! Other programs that are dedicated at the state level are Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) systems. SAVIN systems are networks to implement an automated method of providing solutions or activities to advocate for crime victim information and notification (SAVIN, n.d.). Despite what it may seem, this is not a specific program, but rather a working chain of state and local law enforcement, courts, corrections, and other victim services with dedicated assets to preventing crime. These organizations help gather and pose detailed information that can help advocate on behalf of victims.
Although they can bleed into state-level support and feedback, local-level programs and procedures also exist. A common local-level program that is seen within the intelligence realm is a Neighbor Watch Program. Neighborhood Watch Programs offer some of the most beneficial and least costly capabilities to prevent crime and formulate resilient bonds among neighborhoods that reduce crime (Neighborhood Watch, n.d.). These friendly and welcoming organizations delegate responsibilities like detecting signs of crime, creating subordinate prevention councils, and many other roles. These internal councils come together to speak on local crime and potential solutions that they can route up to the proper authorities. This way not only are they representing the community with the crimes that witness that outside eyes may not, but they are also solution-minded so support is more likely to be given.
Thank you,
Chris
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