Americans feel e-gov can boost homeland security

Most Americans believe e-government can enhance the ability of law enforcement and public health officials to protect the nation from further terrorist attacks, according to a national survey released Feb. 26.Seventy percent of the American public believes e-government will improve the ability of agencies such as the FBI, the Centers for Disease Control and local police departments to coordinate a response to public emergencies, according to the study.The study was co-sponsored by Electronic Data Systems Corp. of Plano, Texas, and the Washington-based Council for Excellence in Government, a nonprofit organization seeking to improve government performance. EDS released the findings of the poll and a summary report, titled "E-Government: To Protect, Connect and Serve Us," at a press conference in Washington.Al Edmonds, president of U.S. government for EDS' Information Solutions, said the study shows Americans have come to view e-government as more than just the posting of information on Web sites."They see e-government as a way to improve operations of government, such as sharing information and data across departments and agencies at the federal, state and local levels," he said. "They see it as a way to capture, identify and authenticate critical information and to share that information 'real-time' with government decision-makers and law enforcement officials. They see it as a way to be better protected from another terrorist attack."Other significant findings of the report:*Americans feel more positive toward e-government and its increasingly important role in how the government interacts with citizens.*Americans put a higher priority on government's investing tax dollars in making information and services available over the Internet.*Americans continue to be concerned about security and online voting.*Americans want a government that listens and is accountable to them.*Government leaders recognize the benefits of e-government and are enthusiastic about the possibilities.The study is based on a poll conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates of Washington, which surveyed 500 government officials at the federal, state and local levels as well as more than 900 adults nationwide.