Watchdog warns DHS needs to improve communication about 'emerging threats'

The Department of Homeland Security “cannot always effectively share emerging threat information with partners, which may limit DHS and its mission partners’ response to emerging threats,” an agency audit acknowledged on Friday.

“If DHS cannot effectively share emerging threat information with its partners, its partners may not respond timely and effectively to potential threats against the homeland, such as at upcoming election events and holiday parades, and for mass casualty incidents,” according to the report.

The Office of Inspector General for the DHS is required to issue reports about “situational awareness and a common operating picture” regarding potential acts of terrorism and natural or unnatural disasters, and the latest suggests that its ability to share intelligence with other agencies is compromised.

While there are several recent incidences that might have been addressed — a border crisis, two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump, Black Lives Matter rioting in 2020, and violence at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021, — the report doesn’t mention specifics.

The report says that DHS shares information via its Homeland Security Information Network, but adds that “DHS partners often did not leverage HSIN for information sharing.” According to the Office of the Chief Information Officer’s data, more than half of the 55,609 active HSIN account holders did not log into HSIN between March 22 and September 15, 2023.

The report recommended that DHS improve its HSIN system, focus on making partner agencies aware of its usefulness, offer more training, and take user feedback into account.

The DHS responded that many of the recommendations are already in place and ongoing, and that two years ago the Technology Modernization Board approved of a $27 million plan to upgrade the HSIN systems.

The Office of Inspector General, however, took issue with DHS's responses some of its recommendations, suggesting the department's efforts are lacking. While the DHS said a benefit analysis would be redundant, the OIG pointed that about 26,000 HSIN users over six months “noted significant concerns with HSIN and are seeking alternative platforms. These findings are consistent with previous DHS OIG reporting on HSIN.”