Trusted National Fusion Center Network: Are Baseline Capabilities and Accreditation Needed

摘要

Much of the current fusion center debate focuses on three areas of concern: the ability of the centers to be a vital link in the national counter- terrorism effort while maintaining their state and local autonomy, the lack of consistency in the development and operation of the centers, and the potential for violation of civil liberties. This thesis analyzes the two handbooks most widely adopted by fusion center leadership, explores the disparity among the centers and their continuing challenges, and applies the characteristics of accreditation programs to the issues at hand in an effort to determine whether published baseline capabilities coupled with an accreditation process is the solution to the longterm success of fusion centers.