The National Network of Fusion Centers: Perception and Reality

Abstract

The National Network of Fusion Centers (the Network) is one of many organizational efforts the nation has undergone to help bolster its counterterrorism prevention and response efforts. Since its creation in the years following the 9/11 attacks, the Network has garnered both accolades and criticisms, resulting in an uneven opinion about fusion center functions and performance. The diverse opinions that are held of the Network appear at times to be based on perceptions incongruent with some of the realities of current Network operations and which lead to an undervaluation of its contributions. This research examined the points of opposition between supporters and critics of the Network and identified strategies employed by the Network to mitigate areas of concern, in order to define the relationship or gap between actual performance and the perception of performance of the Network held by external (to the Network) parties. This research employed a modified version of the multi-goal policy analysis method as a guide for the conduct of analysis. This study recommends a recalibration of these perceptions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA621010

Entities

People

  • Nicholas Klem

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Civil Rights
  • Counterterrorism
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Emergency Response
  • Health Services
  • Information Exchange
  • Information Systems
  • Intelligence Community (United States)
  • Intelligence Cycle
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Administration
  • Surveillance
  • Terrorism

Readers

  • Computer Networking
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design