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Assessing the Implications of the Terrorist Attacks on America for Justice Information and Technology: Executive Summary

NCJ Number
193977
Author(s)
Linda Townsdin; David J. Roberts
Date Published
2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a December 2001 focus-group meeting that focused on the implications of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for justice information and technology and describes State and Federal policy, legislative, and regulatory initiatives and their implications for information technology in State and local justice agencies.
Abstract
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics and SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, cosponsored the focus group of more than 50 experts from local, State, and Federal Governments and the private sector. The focus group met for 1.5 days and examined Federal policy, legislative and regulatory initiatives that have emerged since the September 11 attacks and evaluated the technical and operational capabilities of available technologies to address the broad objectives of the initiatives. The group also assessed the information-technology and business-practice implications of these initiatives for State and local justice agencies. The group discussed two Federal initiatives, the activity in the executive branch, and immigration reform as the remaining legislative priority. The legislative and policy initiatives focused on identification, tracking, and exclusion of known terrorists; the increasing use of identity verification and biometric technologies; and the expanded use of background investigations to determine suitability and security clearance for access to crucial resources. The discussion also noted that needs include a combination of technologies, information sharing and overall cooperation and teaming, development of the State and local infrastructure with Federal assistance, definition of the country’s goals in efforts to address terrorism, and the development of suitability standards for access to secure areas or participation in particular programs. List of participants