HSD developing IT architecture

The first rule for IT leaders who are establishing the systems in the new Homeland Security Department is, "Do no harm," said Steve Cooper, the department's chief information officer.

"We've got to be sure that we don't let existing capabilities fall through the cracks," said Cooper in an April 8 keynote speech at FOSE.

Cooper likened the task of integrating the systems of 22 separate agencies now under the department to changing the tires of a car while it's traveling 70 miles an hour. And the systems must truly be integrated, not simply placed separately under one roof, he said.

Work on the national homeland security architecture requires input from federal agencies, state and local governments and private-sector organizations, such as the Industry Advisory Council, Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the IT Association of America, Cooper said.

The Homeland Security Department is establishing Web sites where it will accept input on a nationwide architecture from vendors and state and local agencies. The first technology priority of the department is wireless technology, Cooper said. Other interests include geospatial technology, modeling and simulation, and collaboration.