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States Study Pennsylvania Network
by Liza Porteus
Several state governments are eyeing an information-sharing network in Pennsylvania as a model for better tracking potential security threats and increasing cooperation among law enforcement.
Justice Net (JNET) is a Web-based criminal justice system implemented during the administration of former Gov. Tom Ridge, now the director of the White House Office of Homeland Security. Through channels such as e-mail and newsgroups secured with digital certificates and other tools, JNET allows police officials to query several agency databases for information on criminals, drivers' licenses, arrest records and more.
Each agency decides what and how much information to contribute to the database. "That was really critical to getting agency acceptance and getting everybody to participate," Jeanette Gang, who oversees JNET, said in a recent interview.
Gang said the "sexiest part" of JNET is its architecture, which allows users to subscribe to receive certain information, such as additions to a federal watch list of potential terrorists or an inmate and employee list from the state Department of Corrections.
"What's really significant about this is [that] sometimes, in the past, if this information ever got transferred at all, it could take weeks," Gang said. "Now we're doing it within ... seconds or minutes."
As information sharing continues to be encouraged by federal, state and local officials as a way to boost homeland security, JNET could serve as a model system, Gang said. Officials in seven states thus far have contacted Pennsylvania officials with "a lot of enthusiasm" toward the system. Pennsylvania currently is looking at virtual private networks and other ways to grant more "flexible access" to JNET.
Within hours, the system was deployed to the rural Pennsylvania site where one of the four commercial planes hijacked on Sept. 11 crashed, Gang said. And when a Pennsylvania school bus driver last month drove 13 children toward Washington, county sheriffs searched JNET to get a license photo and information on the driver. The driver later surrendered in Landover, Md.
California Institute Analyzes Budget Impact
The California Institute for Federal Policy Research has analyzed how President Bush's proposed fiscal 2003 budget would affect the state.
For example, the analysis shows that the Immigration and Naturalization Service would receive $68 billion to continue truck-safety inspections at the border, with $18 million allocated for grants to four states on the Mexican border, including California. About $380 million also was requested for a system to track immigrants.
The education budget calls for $1.2 billion for vocational education grants and $108 million for technology prep education, both of which usually yield California about 11 percent of the funds. And the Defense Department's budget proposals include a plan to develop enhanced space and surveillance systems that will affect California because it competes for space-oriented systems.
Bush's budget cites a University of California at San Diego networking project as a success story made possible by National Science Foundation (NSF) investments. In 2000, the program received $2.3 million to deliver high-speed Internet access to Indian reservations. The administration proposed $5 billion in NSF funding in fiscal 2003. Funds for computer and information science and engineering would increase from $515 million to $527 million.
Bush's budget also would provide $30 million for homeland security and critical infrastructure protection at the Bureau of Export Administration. California stands to benefit from the proposal because it is the nation's largest exporter of technology and electronic goods.
McGreevey Creates Counterterrorism Group
New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has launched a counterterrorism training course to address new security challenges, including cyber terrorism.
State police will work with the FBI to implement a counterterrorism curriculum. The weeklong course will include training on international terrorism, information gathering, intelligence development, domestic terrorism, counterterrorism, cyber terrorism and immigration.
McGreevey created the Office of Counterterrorism last month to coordinate such efforts, and he named Kathryn Flicker as assistant attorney general for counterterrorism to lead the office. Flicker also will serve as New Jersey's liaison with the federal Homeland Security Council, headed by White House Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge.
Rhode Island Seeks New Election System
Rhode Island Secretary of State Edward Inman released a report last month on his long-term plans for reforming the Ocean State's electoral system.
The report includes 12 recommendations that could lead the state to buy new voting technology. New touch-screen voting systems would be fully integrated with the state's optical-scan machines and would serve all voters with disabilities.
Inman also announced plans to create a task force to examine early voting and noted that one of the most vital components of voting reform calls for implementation of a statewide, electronic voter-registration system.
The report also calls for the exploration of online registration and online voting. Some of the initiatives would require aid from the federal government, Inman said.
Stimulating Interest In E-Signatures
Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum last month introduced an economic stimulus plan that includes proposed enhancements to the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).
One provision of the measure would encourage e-commerce by setting e-signature standards and by giving electronic records the same legal weight as paper ones. The proposal also would introduce e-commerce protections designed to increase privacy and security.
This week, McCallum also urged state business leaders to pursue more federal procurement dollars. The government held an e-commerce and contracting seminar held this week targeted toward industry leaders wanting to expand their understanding of federal contracts and e-commerce activities.
Wisconsin currently receives about $1.4 billion through federal contracts. The seminar emphasized ways to use the Internet, including techniques like downloading drawings and using the Internet for quotes and invoicing.
Council Elects New Leader For 'Silicon Sandbar'
The Cape Cod Technology Council has elected a new chairman. The Cape Cod Times reports that Ken Cirillo, general manager and vice president of C-Map/USA, which produces digital navigational charts, said his priorities as chairman include increasing membership, helping tech companies weather the economic downturn and supporting educational opportunities.
The tech council includes 350 companies and encourages the development of technology and technology-dependent companies on Cape Cod, a region the council has dubbed the "Silicon Sandbar." Cirillo wants to encourage more entrepreneurs and small businesses to join and said the council will work to improve Cape Cod's infrastructure for high-speed Internet services.
'Safe Borders' In New Hampshire
New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen wants to test a new "smart border" security system to move cargo quickly through the state's border with Canada, reports The Nashua Telegraph.
Dubbed "Operation Safe Commerce," Shaheen said recently that the program would test sensors to detect any tampering with cargo. She said technology developed by a New Hampshire firm also could quickly determine if someone is carrying a false passport or driver's license.
Shaheen said the system could lead to government certification of companies that safely transport goods. She is seeking federal approval of the program and money for it, and has discussed the idea with governors of Vermont and Maine. Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada and a former Massachusetts governor, supports the concept, Shaheen said.
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