Hill: Existing IT can fight terror

Congress is increasingly convinced that commercial software tools are adequate for the data mining and analysis requirements of fighting terrorism and protecting personal data from misuse. But agencies charged with countering terrorism are slow to evaluate and adopt available tools, said Patrick Murray, staff director and chief counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

"The Homeland Security Department should be evaluating technology solutions, but they're not getting organized fast enough," Murray said.

Murray said systems integrators should call any of the 20 members of the committee or their staffs, and that appointments to make the case for a product aren't too difficult to obtain.