	Challenges to Effective Information Sharing

The success of a homeland security strategy relies on the ability of all levels  of government and the private sector to communicate and cooperate  effectively with one another. Activities that are hampered by  organizational fragmentation, technological impediments, or ineffective  collaboration blunt the nation’s collective efforts to prevent or minimize  terrorist acts. Addressing the Challenges

GAO believes that the challenges facing the homeland security community  require a commitment to focus on transformational strategies, including  strengthening the risk management framework, refining the strategic and  policy guidance structure to emphasize collaboration and integration  among all relevant stakeholders, and bolstering the fundamental  management foundation integral to effective public sector performance  and accountability. Implementation of these strategies along with effective  oversight will be necessary to institutionalize and integrate a long-term  approach to sustainable and affordable homeland security.
What GAO Found

To protect the nation from terrorist attacks, homeland security stakeholders must more effectively work together to strengthen the process by which critical information can be shared, analyzed, integrated and disseminated to help prevent or minimize terrorist activities. The success of a homeland security strategy relies on the ability of all levels of government and the private sector to communicate and cooperate effectively with one another. Activities that are hampered by organizational fragmentation, technological impediments, or ineffective collaboration blunt the nation's collective efforts to prevent or minimize terrorist acts. The challenges facing the homeland security community require a commitment to focus on transformational strategies, including strengthening the risk management framework, refining the strategic and policy guidance structure to emphasize collaboration and integration among all relevant stakeholders, and bolstering the fundamental management foundation integral to effective public sector performance and accountability. Implementation of these strategies along with effective oversight will be necessary to institutionalize and integrate a long-term approach to sustainable and affordable homeland security.