Partnerships Fortify Protection Posture

Fairfax, VA, Nov. 06, 2017 -- Collaboration among organizations that support homeland security missions has improved during the past several years; however, significant roadblocks, including regulatory hurdles and policy constraints, impede additional improvements. These are the conclusions detailed in a white paper authored by AFCEA International’s Homeland Security Committee and now available online.

In addition to the challenges regulations and policies pose, the paper also cites technology gaps, political change, and inflexible and cumbersome acquisition procedures as obstacles to increasing the number of partnerships among government, industry and academic institutions.

To overcome these hurdles, committee members offer three recommendations.

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) network should increase and improve the quality of information sharing related to mission needs and acquisition opportunities.
• Industry, government and academia should increase partnerships and teaming agreements across communities in mission spaces that bring together cross-industry and cross-domain stakeholders.
• DHS organizations should continue enabling the “right connections” between industry and government particularly to address gaps in technology.

Homeland Security Committee members also propose increasing activities of state and local organizations, including innovative partnerships. For example, the Mid-Atlantic Cyber Center provides a personalized collaboration center that supports the regional business ecosystem by enhancing cyber defenses across diverse partners. It is building on the concepts and work originally developed by the Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (ISAO) and Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs).

From the commercial standpoint, the paper recommends following the example of the Applied Science Center of Innovation and Excellence in Homeland Security. The center leverages the market influence of large businesses to integrate technology designed by smaller companies into the marketplace.

AFCEA’s Homeland Security Committee comprises leaders in the public and private sectors. Members ensure that collaboration, cooperation and communication take place throughout government agencies at all levels. The committee also is closely involved in creating the agenda for AFCEA International’s Homeland Security Conference.

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AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry and academia. Join online.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5342d7a-9016-4297-ab78-6df867686c06

Maryann Lawlor
AFCEA International
(703) 631-6179
[email protected]