Agency data-sharing initiative called a 'mess'

The implementation of a federal directive mandating that agencies test data-sharing techniques came under fire Tuesday as lawmakers struggled to get straight answers from federal law enforcers about the success rate and effectiveness of the program.

The House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations was scheduled to be briefed on the Anti-Drug Network/Nigerian Crime Initiative (ADNET/NCI), the first data-sharing project allowing participating federal law enforcement agencies to pool active criminal case information on a secure computer network. But definitive answers on the future of data sharing were vague.

"We have had more trouble putting together this hearing," between officials not wanting to testify or not responding to committee correspondence, said subcommittee Chairman Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn. "It just points out what a mess this program is ... We're all probably answering to higher-ups here."

The ADNET/NCI project seems to be losing momentum, "falling prey to jurisdictional disputes, unresolved legal issues, bureaucratic inertia, budget constraints and personnel turnover," Shays said. "We ask what legal, organization and fiscal barriers stand in the way of broader, more effective data sharing."

The Justice Department's deputy assistant attorney general for the criminal division, Bruce Swartz, said his agency feels data-sharing among federal agencies is of utmost importance, but that it had not yet sat down with the Bush administration to talk about expansion of the initiative, issued under the Clinton administration.

In 1995, Presidential Decision Directive 42 concluded that international crime presents a serious threat to national security and ordered executive branch agencies to increase resources devoted to the issue. It also called for more coordination among these agencies. The Defense Department's Defense Information Systems Agency began using its ADNET system as the mechanism for sharing information on Nigerian crimes such as drug smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.

Information sharing also is of utmost importance to organizations such as the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office. Office Managing Director Catherine Barry said data-sharing is vital to conduct background checks and crime sweeps on visa applicants, but said that the FBI has not been forthcoming with sharing crime data with the bureau.

"It seems to be like somebody's criminal record would not be sensitive information," said Rep. C.L. (Butch) Otto, R-Idaho. "Knowledge is power ... and that's what concerns me here." He added that with such inconclusive evidence given to the committee as to how successful the ADNET program has been, "why would we even entertain the thought" of expanding the program.

Shays also criticized agencies such as the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency for not appearing before the committee, since those agencies supposedly play integral roles in the pilot program. Rep. Benjamin Gilman, R-N.Y., questioned panelists as to whether more oversight is needed for the effort, but officials such as Swartz and Bruce Townsend--special agent in charge of the financial crimes division for the Secret Service--failed to provide lawmakers with answers to that question and to whether they feel the program has succeeded.

However, Townsend said, "clearly, information sharing is where we have to get stronger in law enforcement."