Report: Homeland Security network has problems

The replacement for the Homeland Security Department's computerized network for nationwide information sharing could be headed down the same path as its cumbersome original, said a government report released Wednesday. The Homeland Security Information Network–known as HSIN–was launched in 2004 to provide a secure, Internet-based system to share terrorism information with federal, state and local agencies and the private sector. Last year officials stopped trying to improve the $91 million system, opting instead to replace it with a new and improved version, called HSIN Next Gen, which could cost as much as $62 million. The original was criticized for limited capabilities and features that made the system hard for users to navigate. That was particularly true for users in critical areas such as transportation systems and food distribution. For example, the original system could not let users use one sign-in name and password, send and receive alerts through e-mail or cell phones, or support online meetings, the Government Accountability Office said. GAO–Congress' investigative arm–found that plans for HSIN Next Gen are not clear, which could lead to delays and higher costs for the final product. And an internal department review of the original system found that HSIN had been developed without enough planning and management, GAO said. The contract for the new system was awarded in June to Virginia-based General Dynamics. The first system was run by several contractors, including Raytheon Co. and Man Tech International Corporation. The Homeland Security Department describes the new system as a "software upgrade," and defends the success of the original system among its law enforcement and emergency management partners. For instance, during Hurricane Katrina, when New Orleans 9-1-1 call system went down, the city was able to link up with the HSIN network to carry about 20,000 9-1-1 calls, said Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke. Starting next May, the department plans to move its 26,000 users to the new system. The upgraded system will also consolidate the number of sites used in the HSIN program–from 60 down to a handful. The department hopes to complete that process by September. The current system will cost $3 million to operate and maintain until all users are switched. "I think the report is shocking," Knocke said. If the department were to take GAO's approach, he said, "We would do nothing until it was perfect and then begin to work with stakeholders." The department is already working with 2,000 users on the upgrade.