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(U//FOUO) What's the Role of A&P's Homeland Security Coordinator?
FROM: A&P Staff
Unknown
Run Date: 08/08/2006
(pictured)
(U//FOUO) A few months ago, Analysis & Production (S2) appointed
to the newly created position of Homeland Security Coordinator. In this interview, Mr.
describes how this new position came about, and what it entails:
(U//FOUO) Can you tell us how this Homeland Security Coordinator position started?
(S//SI) When I first came to ICN [International Crime & Narcotics - S2F], NSA senior
management gave me two tasks. The first was to work with the ICN leadership to develop a
strategic plan for the future. This we began developing last year and published during the fall of
2005. The second goal was to take a look at how well we, A&P, were doing against Homeland
Security requirements and see what could be improved. As I looked into how we were satisfying
the Homeland requirements, I noticed two specific areas that needed addressing.
(S//SI) The first was that Homeland Security was not just a sub-set of Counterterrorism. There
are many aspects of Homeland Security that do not fit easily into CT but are important to the
Homeland Security customers. Specific topics include a nexus between crime and terrorists; the
spread of Avian Flu; the business of forged passports and visas, and the illicit trafficking in fissile
materials. All these are considered dangers to the Homeland but not CT threats. The recent
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Worldwide Intelligence Need 2005-1269 demonstrates
the full scope of this non-CT aspect of the Homeland Security mission.
(S//SI) The second was that virtually every Product Line across the Enterprise had a piece of the
Homeland "pie" and there wasn't one Product Line (PL), an Issue Managers Team (IMT), or a
Global Capabilities Manager (GCM) for Homeland Security. The product was being done, the
requirements were being addressed, but nobody had a clear idea where the gaps were, what
was or was not working, or what processes should be in place to continue to grow the mission.
(S//SI) We presented these insights to the Deputy Director for A&P and he agreed to establish a
single, A&P POC for Homeland Security to take this big-picture responsibility. The Coordinator
position was created to meet this need.
(U) U.S. President Bush tours the Port of Miami on board the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Gannet
(Reuters)
(U//FOUO) What are the specific responsibilities of the A&P Homeland Security Coordinator?
(S//SI) First and foremost, the Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator act as the Homeland
Security advocates within A&P across the Enterprise. We serve as the A&P focal point for
customer queries concerning support and advise the senior leadership on changes that might be
needed. The Coordinator is responsible for developing an A&P strategic plan for Homeland
Security and serve as the A&P Subject-Matter Expert for Homeland Security issues and policies.
(S//SI) Additionally, given the cross-organizational nature of this mission, we are charged with
developing and implementing a governance plan for supporting the HLS mission. This plan will
employ Working Groups/Communities of Interest at the analytic level and management boards
to provide direction for the US SIGINT System in responding to HLS requirements across the
Enterprise. The goal is to provide a structure and processes for ensuring Agency production,
resources, and infrastructure are optimally aligned across Enterprise organizational lines to fully
support the HLS mission.
(U) What are your biggest concerns as Coordinator?
(S//SI) I have two major concerns. One is that our analytic workforce doesn't fully comprehend
the worldwide scope of Homeland Security. With this mission, there are no borders. Stolen
passports in Thailand, for example, are a Homeland concern. They just might turn up at a US
point of entry. Homeland Security is not a domestic concern; it is a worldwide concern.
Our A&P workforce has to fully understand this to be effective.
(S/SI) The other concern I have is based on the cross-Enterprise nature of the Homeland
Security mission. Reporters throughout the Enterprise are reporting on document fraud, money
exchanges, alien smuggling, etc. -- all important Homeland Security topics. Yet, because
Homeland does not have a Product Line per se, there is no one A&P focal point looking for
linkages, nexus, trends that might provide insights into the worldwide web of the supporting
networks that threaten the Homeland. We have to find a way to connect these dots.
(U//FOUO) How do you see this position vis-à-vis the NSA/CSS Representative at DHS Office?
(S//SI) I see this job supporting the NCR. What we provide is a single point of contact within
A&P for Homeland Security questions/issues. With the NCR DHS handling the customer relations,
and the Coordinator interfacing with the production elements, I think we have an excellent
balance.
(S//SI) NSA/CSS Texas was designated as the Cryptologic Center for Homeland Security - how
does this fit with the A&P effort?
(S//SI) The breadth and scope of the Homeland Security topic means that the Cryptologic
Centers and the rest of the extended Enterprise all have a role in supporting Homeland Security
Intelligence Needs. NSA-Texas has been assigned a leading role for Homeland Security, with
responsibility for defending the Southwest border and ultimately, for threats emanating from the
south. The other Cryptologic Centers, Hawaii, Georgia and Denver, all have significant
supporting roles as well. Our responsibility is to develop the overall A&P strategy for support and
make sure it is in synch with the Enterprise effort.
(S//SI) Remember, defense of the Homeland starts overseas; the Agency's worldwide effort is
key in meeting Homeland Security customer's requirements. I see the Coordinator's role as
making sure all the moving parts of this SIGINT support machine are working
together. I encourage everyone to stay in touch with our efforts via the A&P Homeland Security
Coordinator web page .
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108