State CIOs will advise feds on homeland security

At the request of Homeland Security Office Chief Information Officer Steve Cooper, the National Association of State CIOs will create a working group to offer advice on framing a national homeland security strategy.

Cooper made the request during NASCIO's annual DC Fly-In meeting, which began May 23 and concludes May 24.

The CIOs encouraged federal authorities to go to NASCIO members for advice on other IT matters as well. They presented white papers on information architecture, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, identity security and authorization, and commingling of federal funds for state IT projects.

"IT issues are embedded in the homeland security issues, but for most lawmakers, the IT issues just don't come to mind," Georgia CIO Larry Singer said.

During the Fly-In, eight state CIOs and other NASCIO members participated in 30 sessions with members of Congress and their staffs in Washington. The CIOs met May 23 with 50 representatives of federal agencies, including the Justice Department, FBI, CIA and Federal Emergency Management Agency, to discuss homeland security and other concerns.