HSIN's unsteady path

By Wilson P. Dizard III

Connecting state and local government leaders

| May 21, 2007

The Homeland Security Department starts building a pilot version of the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) as an extension of a nationwide law enforcement program called the Joint Regional Information Exchange System (JRIES). Both networks operate at the sensitive-but-unclassified security level, which is also known as the law-enforcement-sensitive level.The department's HSIN pilot undergoes shakedown testing.DHS officially launches HSIN.Officials of RISSNet, a law enforcement network funded by the Justice Department and controlled by six regional groups of police agencies, negotiate with DHS' HSIN managers in a bid to fully connect the incompatible systems and eliminate overlapping functions. RISSNet officials present several briefings to DHS officials about their system, but progress is slow. Eventually, HSIN and RISSNet establish a limited connection that bars transfer of data such as file attachments.DHS confirms that JRIES' executive board has scuttled plans to fully merge their system with HSIN. The rupture occurs amid accusations by law enforcement officials that sensitive JRIES information had leaked onto the Internet via HSIN.DHS adds its Common Operating Picture, an online situational-awareness tool, to share information to HSIN. Early versions of COP focus on hurricane season updates. COP also includes the infrastructure critical-asset viewer, or iCAV, a geospatial application that can overlay events such as hurricanes onto infrastructure assets.The department upgrades HSIN's systems. In the process, DHS severs HSIN's connection with RISSNet.DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner issues a report citing pervasive flaws in HSIN systems and management. The department rushed HSIN deployment without gathering views from other agencies on how to structure its connects, Skinner reports. DHS also failed to train users on HSIN's functions and capabilities, according to the IG.The Government Accountability Office prepares a report on HSIN. Whenthe auditors ask department officials why HSIN never completed its linkswith RISSNet, DHS officials respond that the executives who were involvedin those talks have left the agency.DHS tells the House Homeland Security Committee that it plans to upgrade HSIN technology and reconnect the system to RISSNet.GAO reports on pervasive HSIN problems that have resulted in a stand-alone design. The audit agency found that DHS uses at least 11 homeland security networks. During fiscal 2005 and 2006, the DHS networks cost $611.8 million to develop, operate and maintain, according to GAO. DHS states that HSIN costs about $21 million annually.A senior DHS official's estimate of when the department will complete upgrades and management reorganization steps recommended by GAO 12 months previously.

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