Describe the concept and intent behind fusion centers and explain what you see as their value to the homeland security enterprise.
Information sharing amongst government agencies is vital when it comes to Homeland Security. Fusion centers are primarily owned and operated by the state and local agencies but garner support from the federal side of the house. According to AMU, the support comes “in the form of deployed personnel, training, technical assistance, exercise support, security clearances, connectivity to federal systems, technology, and grant funding.” (AMU, 2021) The major takeaway and the value of these centers are a streamlined process of distributing information through analysis gathering. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice head up and direct operations for these centers. Fusion centers have expanded its capabilities to address early indicators of terrorism, crimes, and threats. (Homeland Security Committee, 2017) This benefits the enterprise largely because maintains structure while aiding stakeholders in preventing, protecting, and responding to crime and terrorism.
Describe the role of the FBI in domestic counterterrorism, and in particular the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) concept?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the lead federal law enforcement agency that’s charged with and specializes in counterterrorism investigation at home and abroad. (Bjelopera, 2013) Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 the FBI has me more proactive in its efforts to be an intelligence-driven agency that can mitigate and eliminate an act of terrorism before it potentially can occur. It’s role in the JTTF is to investigate terrorism and terrorism like crimes. The JTTF consist mostly of analysts, linguists, SWAT experts, and specialist from multiple agencies based locally and globally.
Derek
References:
American Military University. (2021, September 9). Fusion Centers. Retrieved from Fusion Centers (apus.edu)
Homeland Security Committee. (2017, November). ADVANCING THE HOMELAND SECURITY INFORMATION SHARING ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF FUSION CENTERS. Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://www.archives.gov/files/committee-on-homeland-security-fusion-center-report-2017.pdf.
Bjelopera, J. P. (2013, April 24). The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Terrorism Investigations. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved September 10, 2021, from https://sgp.fas.org/crs/terror/R41780.pdf.