The ability for Government leaders to ensure Public Security is facilitated through a platform for information and resource sharing which rapidly routes the right information to the right people for optimal decision-making. The decisions faced by government leaders are focused on saving lives, protecting property, and minimizing economic disruption within the impacted community. Private organizations, NGO's, IGO's, Charities, and other governments share a stake in the sustainment of communities affected by Terrorist Events, Natural Disaters, Pandemics, or Civil disturbances. Yet we continue to observe difficulties in effectively preparing in advance, to eliminate the issues which can be easily managed through advances in technology. Over the past several months, I have discussed the mutually agreed upon need for information and resource sharing with members of the Preparedness Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security, with State Emergency Operations officials in Virginia during the VERTEX 2007 hurricane exercise, and most recently at the International Safety and Security Conference in New York City ISSC Conference site. Recently, reports from both Canadian Federal Government and US Federal Government have indicated the emergency management information technology supporting data sharing, interoperability, and administration June 2007 Government Insights , and May 28, 2007 Federal Computer Week. Yet the information and resource sharing required will inevitably be demanded through stakeholders in the community, and also within the extended network to provide the bridge betweeen public and private critical infrastructure, the businesses which manufacture or serve the citizens, the health organizations which ensure that air and water quality are safe, and that sanitation is maintained to reduce spread of diseases, and the Public Safety organizations which man the police, fire, and EMS services that maintain order. Among the vast network of transactions before, during and after emergency situations, massive efficiencies can be realized by leveraging existing technologies and aligning to the standards agreed upon to the greatest extent. Yet the cost for aligning resources is difficult to justify in many organizations already strained with making their numbers or spending on the most needy programs.
