Database Woes Plague Homeland Security and Law Enforcement

September 11, 2001 Attacks and the Changes

The creation made by the federal government for the Department of Homeland Security. The realization that much of the information necessary to combat future terrorist attacks, and to fight domestic crime, is stored in databases of thousands of federal states and local organizations.

Beginning of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

DHS is comprised of 22 agencies, each with its own computer systems and hardware. The main reason for starting this department is to bring together the data stored in the databases of the 22 agencies. The estimated time to connect the data from all agencies is 5 years, with a minimum cost of $15 billion.

Beginning of the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The great problem in beginning DHS is connecting the data of the three main organization: -Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) -Customs -Coast Guard

Problems of the chronic lack of communications between federal and local authorities
Data is stored in many different databases within single agencies. Software systems within both government and corporate organizations have been developed independently. The data collected must be classified according to its importance. Computer systems used by the FBI are antiquated. Huge time is needed to access the existing data.

Creating the Virtual Case File (VCF)

Features of VCF: 1. VCF system will link 31 FBI databases through a single web portal. 2. VCF system will be used as a standard web browser to search the entire FBI data warehouse. 3. FBI agents have electronic access to the data. 4. Data of VCF system can be shared with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency and the local police departments.

 1-The FBI working to communicate more openly with state and local law enforcement agencies. 2- The FBI opening its national law enforcement online system (LEO) to other law enforcement agencies. 3- the sheriff of Monroe county is working with department of justice to merge LEO with its regional information sharing system (RISS) .

4- Combined system could be used to Distribute terrorism information .

 5-FBI is now improving its national crime information center (NCIC), its repository of 17 criminal records databases that contains mug shots and thumb prints. It will soon include a terrorist watch list.

INS ORGNIZATION

1-(INS) an organization with serious data base problem.

2-INS estimates that there are about 500 million people entering the USA each year That requires huge system to track. 3-After September 11, 2001 INS couldnt locate 45%(4334) of the aliens the FBI wanted to question about terrorism according to general accounting office (GAO) assessment report of November 2002.

 4-the primary reason for the problem is the failure of the INS to maintain a database system that is both integrated and current. It has more than 16 separate database systems to capture data on lines including Nonimmigrant information system, an asylum prescreening system, A student exchange visitor information system ,an arrival departure information system, a deportable alien control system, a refugees, asylum and parole system

NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT

1- Data problem also exist within critical local organization. including the new York police department (NYPD). 2- IBM, deloitte &touch and Merrill lynch report. 3- Data needed and consulate with FBI. 4- NYPD paper and electronic forms. 5- Mobile car data terminal. 6- Precincts Telephone car problem. 7- What NYPD uses to dispatch officers to crime scene? 8- The department of computer information. 9-NYPD fund.

1. Why is it important to connect much of the data in many of the federal, state, and local information systems?
A. Obtain a complete as well as a detailed set of information. B. Interchange information. C. Speed- up search. D. Break- up isolation. E. Overcome bureaucracy.

2. Describe the major data management problems in bringing these data together.
A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Incompatible systems. Too many data bases. Too many software. Different codes/ formats/ languages. Storage size. Levels of security. Policy of data accessibility authorization.

3. Describe the management, organization, and technology issues that need to be addressed to make these data available to those who need it.
Management: Budget. Time. Bureaucracy Isolation/ secrecy. Different cultures. Organization: Number and structure of agencies. Classification of information. Integration of agencies.
Technology: Size. Compatibility. Integration. Software. Accessibility. Security. Continuous update. Communication. Speed. Modernity. Obsolescence.

4. Suggest and describe an approach for making this massive amount of data easily and quickly available. A. Build a new system Vs. correct, connect and integrate the old systems. B. One system. C. One software. D. One main frame/ mini computers/ servers/ PCs E. Main frame organization/ division. F. Security and accessibility policy.

Suggested Approach

Others FBI Coast Guards

CIA

Main Frame

Customs

Local Law Enforcements DHS

INS