Description:
The Homeland Security Act (HSA) of 2002 was passed in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the USA. It created the Department of Homeland Security as part of the largest US government reorganization since the Department of Defense was created. The Homeland Security Act is a sweeping anti-terrorism bill giving federal law enforcement agencies broad powers to monitor citizens.
The act has a large number of data-related provisions. In consolidating federal groups into a single agency, it also addresses how their IT systems and data will be consolidated and connected. It requires the agency to create secure communications and IT infrastructure and advanced capabilities to access, receive, and analyze data and information. It addresses privacy, access to information, and research on technologies.
Below are several excerpts from the act"
Sec. 102 (b) (3) says that the Secretary of Homeland Security "shall take reasonable steps to ensure that information systems and databases of the Department are compatible with each other and with appropriate databases of other Departments."
Sec. 201 (d) (14) requires the Under Secretary to "establish and utilize, in conjunction with the chief information officer of the Department, a secure communications and information technology infrastructure, including data-mining and other advanced analytical tools, in order to access, receive, and analyze data and information in furtherance of the responsibilities under this section, and to disseminate information acquired and analyzed by the Department, as appropriate."
Sec. 201 (d) (15) requires the Under Secretary to "ensure, in conjunction with the chief information officer of the Department, that any information databases and analytical tools developed or utilized by the Department--
(A) are compatible with one another and with relevant information databases of
other agencies of the Federal Government; and
(B) treat information in such databases in a manner that complies with applicable Federal law on privacy."
SEC. 221. , Procedures For Sharing Information, says that the Secretary shall "establish procedures on the use of information shared under this title that--
(1) limit the redissemination of such information to ensure that it is not used for an unauthorized purpose;
(2) ensure the security and confidentiality of such information;
(3) protect the constitutional and statutory rights of any individuals who are subjects of such information; and
(4) provide data integrity through the timely removal and destruction of obsolete or erroneous names and information."
Section 231 establishes within the Department of Justice an Office of Science and Technology whose mission is "(1) to serve as the national focal point for work on law enforcement technology; and (2) to carry out programs that, through the provision of equipment, training, and technical assistance, improve the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement technology and improve access to such technology by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies."
Copyright 2004-2008 The Data Governance Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved The site is brought to you in partnership with the Business Intelligence Network
Copyright 2004-2008 The Data Governance Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved The site is brought to you in partnership with the Business Intelligence Network
