Technology Influences

  The research has shown that the major challenge facing the department of homeland security is the failure to implement a national strategy (GAO, 2007).The national strategy is the ability of the office of the homeland security to use secure communications networks to increase the flow of information about terrorist and create a collaborative environment where state and local entities share information. However, the lack of successful information sharing has affected human capital planning and performance management.  The DHS is facing challenges in lack of collaboration since the human capital planning that could strengthen the talents, cultures, and capital planning is not effective (GAO, 2007). Lack of performance management has also hindered the DHS from implementing a national strategy. The main point is that networking and communication technology has contributed to the problem of failure to implement the national strategy. In the DHS, the sector of information technology was established to meet the mission of national security. The public and private sectors, and the government and the businesses collaborate with the internet to create a dynamic environment where they identify threats.  Initially, policymakers believed that information technology will improve national security through information sharing. However, the policymakers have not met the expectations in that the sector of information technology lack strategic planning to control the management functions (GAO, 2007). In general, failure to implement the national strategy has occurred due to lack of unified information technology. Lack of effective management in the information technology has affected the management and performance of other functions and as a result, the DHS has not been able to prevent terrorism.

 To solve these challenges and create a motivated workforce, and sustained management, it is important to create a secure information technology. In other words, information technology should be improved. The information technology will promote an evidence-based decision, increase accountability and quality improvement (GAO, 2007). Note that the 22 separate entities face challenges in meeting the DHS mission and the only solution to this challenge is to create a new IT system and improve the information and technology. The IT support needs to be improved and maintained and it should be implemented through creating the following components;

 

• IT strategic planning – the secretary of the homeland security need to embark on IT strategic planning such as creation IT goals to guide the agencies in their operations (GAO, 2004). The strategic plan should provide a roadmap that states the time frames, the staff resources, the future states, among other important plans
• Enterprise architecture- the DHS should define the organization's structure and operation so that the agencies can understand the future and current goals, and get motivated toward pursuing the goals (GAO, 2004). The enterprise architecture will also allow the IT sector to optimize mission performance.
• IT investment management- the DHS should improve IT investment management and create an effective management's structure to control investments (GAO, 2004). The IT investment should also align with the enterprise architecture to meet the human capital needs.

 

• System development- the DHS should improve the system development and improve the acquisition management to ensure effective process controls, and measuring performance.
• Information security management-the DHS has developed the security program, security policies, and procedures, but it should improve security management to secure the IT infrastructure.
• Information management- the DHS is facing a problem in managing the information in terms of collection, and circulation. The department should improve management, especially in privacy issues.
• IT human capital management-the DHS lack human capital data, and adequate IT staffing. The department should improve these areas to enable the agencies to meet the mission.
  

 

 

 

 

References

 

 United States Government Accountability Office. (GAO). (2004). Department of Homeland Security formidable information and technology management challenge requires institutional approach: report to congressional committees. DIANE Publishing

 

United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2007). Information Technology: DHS’s Human Capital Plan is Largely Consistent with Relevant Guidance, but Improvements and Implementation Steps Are Still Needed. Diane Publishing