We live in a world where we begin and end each day awash in communications of all forms. From newspapers and television broadcasts to cell phones, computers and radios, our daily routine is surrounded and bombarded with all forms of communications, and we may feel informed. However, in the world of information sharing between the private and public sectors, specifically on terrorism, we don’t know how to adjust the dial or turn the page to communicate.
The inadequacies and shortfalls in information sharing were pointed out by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States or more commonly known as the 9/11 Commission. In Chapter 13 of the 9/11 Commission Report, How To Do It? A Different Way of Organizing the Government, the report produced recommendations to guide the government away from processes that don’t protect the nation against terrorism threats. Numerous recommendations were documented in the report of which two were directed toward information sharing. The first recommendation stated, “Information procedures should provide incentives for sharing, to restore a better balance between security and shared knowledge.” What better incentive for businesses and organizations than to be an active and valuable partner in the fight against terrorism through information sharing and the protection of the critical infrastructure of the United States? The private sector has unique knowledge of processes and systems that could greatly aid the law enforcement community through effective use of fusion centers. Terrorism is not a law enforcement problem alone and the most effective strategy against this threat is a partnership between the public and private sectors.