1. Information Sharing Challenges, Trends and Opportunities
USDOJ/BJA Regional Information Sharing Conference
Norm Beasley
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Joe Arpaio Sheriff

2. Information Sharing
One of the key findings of the 911 commission was the lack of information sharing among agencies
The need for information sharing is very clear; the challenge is how to accomplish it effectively

3. Information Sharing
Information sharing is critical from both a strategic and tactical perspective
Everything we do has to be information driven
The more information available the better the decision making process
Solid creditable intelligence/information is critical

4. Information Sharing Everything can’t be protected
Agencies can’t continually react to non credible threats
Information guides planning and protective efforts
Solid intelligence provides a framework for prioritization of threats and future planning efforts

5. Information Sharing
State and local agencies are our first line of defense and play a vital role in the United States national intelligence architecture
It is critical for federal level information to be provided to state and local agencies
It is equally critical for state and local information to be provided to the federal level

6. Information Sharing
Significant improvements have been made in the information sharing environment between state, local and federal agencies
State and local agencies in many cases have taken the lead in enhancing information sharing within their jurisdictions with little or no direction from federal authorities
The establishment of state and local fusion centers is an example of this effort

7. Fusion Centers
A fusion center is a collaborative effort between two or more agencies that provides a central point for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information within a given jurisdiction

8. Fusion Centers Fusion Centers are the nerve center for:
Investigative support
Intelligence
Information sharing, between law enforcement, public safety, and other partners, including the private sector
Fusion Centers are the foundation for successful data integration and exchange

9. Why are they Important?
Key component of a jurisdictions homeland security and crime prevention efforts
Supports an all-source, all-crimes, all-hazards, all- threats approach to intelligence
Collaborative effort between a jurisdictions law enforcement and critical stakeholders
Collect, analyze, disseminate real time criminal intelligence information to operational and executive elements

10. Why are they Important?
Provides for deconfliction & reduces duplication of effort
Blends data from different sources, including law enforcement, public safety, and the private sector
Provide the basis for intelligence led policing and homeland security operations
Supports the National Preparedness Goals, National Infrastructure Protection Plan & the National Information Sharing Environment Implementation Plan

11. National Fusion Center Guidelines
Global Information Sharing Initiative
Adopted by USDOJ & USDHS
Provide fusion center guidance
18 operational, administrative and management topics

12. Challenges
Consistency and connectivity between state, local and federal centers and operations
Who receives the information received or generated by the fusion center
Law Enforcement
Non-law enforcement public and private stakeholders
How is critical information provided to these stakeholders at both the classified and law enforcement sensitive levels

13. Challenges
Information exchanges with non-traditional partners are critical
These include: Public Health, Departments of Transportation, first responder’s, public and private agencies who share a responsibility for homeland security.
How can these sectors provide information to fusion centers that is sensitive or propriety and be assured that the information will be safeguarded from disclosure?

14. Federal Efforts

15. Recent National Developments
Office of Director of National Intelligence
Released the ISE Implementation Plan (November 2006)
Establishes State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers as part of the national intelligence structure
Calls for a National Network of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
Establishes information sharing environment for state, local and federal agencies
Establishes Federal Threat Coordination Group to create products specifically for State & local fusion centers

16. Recent National Developments
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly supporting development of Fusion Centers.
FBI Field Offices will support their local fusion centers - commonly via co-location with FIG and JTTF
DHS Headquarters Analysts being deployed to State and UASI Fusion Centers
State and local fusion center analysts to be used in DHS/DOJ-led threat coordination cell at the National Counterterrorism Center.

17. Recent National Developments
USDOJ/USDHS Partnership
Information Sharing Projects
Global Justice Information Sharing Initiative
National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan
Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council
Fusion Center Guidelines
Fusion Center Regional Conferences
1st National Fusion Center Conference in March 2007
USDOJ/SEARCH Regional Information Sharing Conferences

18. Recent National Developments
USDOJ/USDHS Partnership
USDOJ/BJA National Criminal Intelligence Research Center Website
Institute for Intergovernmental Research – Intelligence Resources Website
Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program
USDHS/USDOJ Funded
Provides on Site assistance to jurisdictions

19. Recent National Developments
USDOJ/USDHS Fusion Center Regional Conferences
Senior state and local fusion center & Homeland Security leadership
Federal partners
Top Five Concerns of Attendees
Security Clearances
Sensitive But Unclassified
Connectivity
Funding
Leadership

20. Trust Factor
While systems are good the key to information sharing is personal relationships
Information Sharing is a business built on trust
Fusion centers enhance this capability by bringing people together in the same facility
Once trust established these relationships become institutionalized

21. What does this mean to You?
You are a critical component of the information sharing architecture
Criminal Justice Information, while not intelligence, is information that directly supports on going all crimes investigations
Your participation in your state or local fusion center information sharing initiatives are vital to it’s overall success

22. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Arizona Contact Information
Norm Beasley
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office