7 February 2002 The Honorable Tom Ridge Dear Governor Ridge: The IEEE-USA would like to bring to your attention the need for an integrated and cross-cutting information network to serve the needs of public health and disaster management individuals at all levels of government. We believe that the implementation of all these activities would be greatly enhanced by design and use of appropriate information technologies and that the Office of Homeland Security can play a critical role in this area. The Office of Homeland Security should embrace an "information network," i.e., a broad range of public and private networks, to fulfill its coordination responsibilities and to protect our citizens. However we believe that insufficient attention has yet to be given to this component. Currently, the various governmental units responsible for public health and security form a patchwork quilt of information systems that are variously excellent, weak, incomplete, unlinked, incompatible, or non-existent. An effective "system of systems" does not exist. Particularly, the public health communication and information systems are inadequate to address present and emerging threats. This is not surprising given that the public health leadership has greater knowledge of public health issues than information technology. Interface to information outside the government and to the public generally is also weak. It is our view that the Office of Homeland Security can play a critical role by coordinating the implementation of a value-added intelligent information network, comprising of existing network elements -- public, private, and government (Federal and State), to incorporate man and machines, to prevent, detect, manage/coordinate, and mitigate against terrorist attacks, to include bioterrorist attacks. We envision a self-replicating standard structure that can be exported to local, state and national levels. The system should distinguish between type and levels of threat, various users, and automatically use the information to augment communications and decisions. Furthermore, information technology can be used to provide emergency information to the public, debunk rumors, and collect needed information from the public for early detection. Such a system must integrate across multiple forms of media (phone, Internet, radio, etc.) to inform all citizens. We note that computer-based surveillance systems and information sharing may require enabling legislative authorization to appropriately deal with confidential or classified information. We also note that any network created for this purpose must be secure and attack-resistant. We also believe that establishing a position such as a CEO of Information Technology (an important extension of simply a Chief Information Officer), and creation of an information technology division within the Office of Homeland Security is vital in achieving the goal of the Homeland Security Office as outlined by the President. We recommend that an initiative be immediately established to develop a plan to address the urgent need to coordinate existing communication systems, both public and private where appropriate, that are capable of supporting prevention, detection, response and recovery from existing and emerging terrorist threats. This proposed office could benefit from a panel of experts to act as an advisory board when framing their concept of operation. I would like to offer our support to your operation and our extensive listing of volunteers as a source of experts for this role. We envision that the application of policy considerations, risk analysis, cognitive behavioral principles, organization theory, communication theory, human-computer interaction expertise, social network analysis and other disciplines will be needed to enhance the process. Our organization has access to experts in these diverse fields when advisory support is needed. IEEE-USA supports the implementation of the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee report on "Transforming Health Care Through Information Technology," which reflects similar views on the importance of information technology and the need for focused leadership in this critical area of the homeland security. Technology must play a critical role in our nation's time of need. Given the expanding terrorist threat and corresponding potential for mass destruction, the challenge to nation's health system will undoubtedly grow beyond our capacity in coming years unless we act to alter this basic dynamic. Our vision involves information dominance to secure the homeland, now and for the future. As an organizational unit of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc, IEEE-USA was created in 1973 to promote the careers and public policy interests of the more than 230,000 electrical, electronics, computer and software engineers and information technologists who are U.S. members of the IEEE. IEEE-USA is willing to mobilize their expertise and assistance to help the Office of Homeland Security conceptualize and pursue its security goals. We look forward to further discussion on these points. If we can be of further assistance, please contact our Manager of Technology Policy Activities, Deborah Rudolph at (202) 785-0017 x 8332. Sincerely, LeEarl A. Bryant, P.E. | Top of Page | Policy Log | Public Policy Forum | IEEE-USA | Last Update:
7 Feb. 2002 Copyright ©
2002, The
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. |
