a

GAO

United States Government Accountability Office

Report to Congressional Requesters

September 2004 INFORMATION 

TECHNOLOGY

Major Federal 

Networks That 

Support Homeland 

Security Functions

GAO-04-375
www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-04-375. 

To view the full product, including the scope 

and methodology, click on the link above. 

For more information, contact David A. 

Powner at (202) 512-9286 or 

pownerd@gao.gov. 

Highlights of GAO-04-375, a report to the 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs; the Chairman, House 

Committee on Government Reform, and 

the Chairman of its Subcommittee on 

Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census 

September 2004

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

Major Federal Networks That Support 

Homeland Security Functions 

Nine agencies identified 34 major networks that support homeland security 

functions—32 that are operational and 2 that are being developed (see 

table). Of these 34, 21 are single-agency networks designed for internal 

agency communications. Six of the 34 are used to share information with 

state and local governments; 4 share information with the private sector. 

Numbers of Major Federal Homeland Security Networks 

 Operational In development

Unclassified 8 0

Sensitive But Unclassified 17 1

Classifieda 7b 1c 

 32 2

 Source: GAO analysis of agency data. 

a

Excludes classified networks that are not publicly acknowledged. 

b

Secret (5), Top Secret (2). 

c

Secret. 

The Department of Homeland Security is in the process of developing the 

new Homeland Secure Data Network. It is intended to become a significant 

vehicle for the sharing of homeland security information with state and local 

governments and classified information among civilian agencies. 

Agencies also provided examples of more than 100 major applications that 

support homeland security mission areas. The following table describes 3 of 

18 applications that GAO selected to illustrate the range of applications used 

to support the various homeland security mission areas. 

Three Network Applications That Provide Homeland Security Functions 

Mission area Application 

Responsible 

department Network 

Intelligence 

and warning 

Modernized 

Intelligence 

Data Base 

Defense

Joint Worldwide Intelligence 

Communications Systema

(Classified/Top Secret)

Border and 

transportation 

security 

United States Visitor 

and Immigrant Status 

Indicator Technology 

(US-VISIT) 

Homeland 

Security 

Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement Network 

(Sensitive But Unclassified) 

Domestic 

counterterrorism 

Patriot Act 

Communications 

System 

Treasury Treasury Communications Systema

(Sensitive But Unclassified) 

Source: GAO analysis of agency data. 

a

Used by other agencies as well. 

A key information systems 

challenge in homeland security is 

ensuring that essential information 

is shared in a timely and secure 

manner among disparate parties in 

federal, state, and local 

governments, and in the private 

sectors. This requires 

communications networks that 

provide information-sharing 

capabilities between the various 

levels of government—federal, 

state, and local. 

GAO’s objective was to identify and 

describe, through agency reporting, 

major networks and examples of 

applications that the agencies 

considered important in supporting 

their homeland security functions. 

(For purposes of this review, GAO 

defined networks as “the data 

communication links that enable 

computer systems to communicate 

with each other.”) GAO 

corroborated agency-provided 

information about networks used 

by multiple agencies. While 

agencies verified the accuracy of 

the data about their networks, GAO 

cannot ensure that agencies 

provided data on all applicable 

networks. 

In commenting on a draft of this 

report, seven of the nine agencies 

generally concurred with the facts 

contained in this report. Technical 

comments were incorporated as 

appropriate. Two agencies declined 

to comment. 
Page i GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Contents

Letter 1

Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 2

Appendixes

Appendix I: Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional Requesters 5

Appendix II: Comments from the Department of Agriculture 54

Appendix III: Comments from the Department of the Treasury 55

Appendix IV: Comments from the Department of Homeland Security 56

Appendix V: Comments from the Department of Health and Human 

Services 58
Contents

Page ii GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Abbreviations

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

DHS Department of Homeland Security

DOD Department of Defense

DOE Department of Energy

DOJ Department of Justice

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FBI Federal Bureau of Investigations

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

FSIS Food Safety Inspection Service

HHS Department of Health and Human Services

HSDN Homeland Secure Data Network

HUMINT human intelligence

IC intelligence community

JUTNet Justice United Telecommunications Network

JWICS Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System

LAN local area network

NIPRNet Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network

OIG Office of Inspector General

SBU sensitive but unclassified

SIPRNet Secret Internet Protocol Router Network

USDA Department of Agriculture

VPN virtual private network

WAN wide area network

This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the 

United States. It may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without further 

permission from GAO. However, because this work may contain copyrighted images or 

other material, permission from the copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to 

reproduce this material separately.
Page 1 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

United States Government Accountability Office

Washington, D.C. 20548

A

September 17, 2004 Letr

The Honorable Susan M. Collins

Chairman, Committee on Governmental Affairs

United States Senate

The Honorable Tom Davis

Chairman, Committee on Government Reform

House of Representatives

The Honorable Adam H. Putnam

Chairman, Subcommittee on Technology, Information

 Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census

House of Representatives

As you know, one of the information systems challenges in the homeland 

security area is ensuring that critical information is shared in a timely and 

secure manner with a variety of parties in federal, state, and local 

governments, as well as in the private sector. It is important that federal 

networks meet the vital communications needs of effective homeland 

security, and do so in an efficient manner that includes information sharing 

between the various levels of government. You asked us to identify the 

major networks and examples of applications that are operational or being 

developed by federal agencies to share information in support of homeland 

security functions.1

We conducted work at the federal agencies that have major roles in 

supporting these homeland security functions and asked agency officials to 

identify and describe the networks and major applications considered most 

important in supporting the homeland security functions for which they are 

responsible. We obtained and analyzed information from 9 agencies on 34 

different networks and over 100 applications. We conducted our work from 

January through July 2004, in accordance with generally accepted 

government auditing standards.

1

We defined “homeland security” and its related functions according to the Department of 

Homeland Security’s National Strategy for Homeland Security (July 2002). It defines 

homeland security as “a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the 

United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and 

recover from attacks that occur.”
Page 2 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

On July 30, we provided your offices with briefing information on the 

results of this review. The purpose of this letter is to provide the published 

briefing materials to you. (See app. I.)

In summary, we identified 34 major networks that support homeland 

security functions—32 operational and 2 in development. Twenty-one of 

the 34 are single-agency networks, indicating that they are used only for 

internal agency communications. Further, 6 of the 34 networks share 

information with state and local governments; 4 share information with the 

private sector. One of the 2 networks under development—the Department 

of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Secure Data Network—is 

intended to become a significant vehicle for future sharing of homeland 

security information with state and local governments and classified 

information among civilian agencies. The other network in development, 

the Department of Justice’s JUTNet (Justice United Telecommunications 

Network), is to replace the department’s existing network and transport 

information among departmental components. Agencies also identified the 

Internet as a major network for supporting homeland security functions. 

Cost data were not available for all networks, but of the networks for 

which data were available, estimates totaled about $1 billion per year for 

fiscal years 2003 and 2004. 

In addition, agencies provided descriptions of over 100 applications as 

examples of those that use existing networks, including the Internet, to 

share information in support of homeland security. For example, DHS’s 

United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology 

(US-VISIT) collects, maintains, and shares information on foreign nationals 

with the Departments of Commerce, Justice, State, and Transportation 

using its ICENet (Immigration and Customs Enforcement Network). And, 

the Department of Defense’s Modernized Intelligence Data Base supports 

anti-terrorist activities through near-real-time, synchronized dissemination 

of military intelligence using its JWICS (Joint Worldwide Intelligence 

Communications System) network. 

Agency Comments and 

Our Evaluation

We received written comments on a draft of this report from the Director, 

Departmental GAO/OIG Liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, 

the Chief Counsel to the Inspector General at the Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS), the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief 

Information Officer at the Department of the Treasury, and the Chief 

Information Officer at the Department of Agriculture (USDA). These four 

agencies generally concurred with the facts contained in our report. DHS 
Page 3 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

officials provided technical comments generally consisting of changes to 

descriptive information, which we incorporated as appropriate. HHS 

officials provided information on another network it felt should have been 

included, which we incorporated as appropriate. It also provided additional 

examples of applications related to homeland security, which we did not 

include because we had already reported significant examples of 

applications. The Departments of Defense and Justice, and the 

Environmental Protection Agency, provided oral comments stating that 

they concurred with the facts in the report. The Departments of State and 

Energy declined to comment. Written comments for DHS, HHS, Treasury, 

and USDA are reproduced in appendices II through V.

Regarding our statement that the initial DHS enterprise architecture does 

not include many of the networks we identified, DHS stated that the initial 

enterprise architecture supported internal business processes and systems 

and that future versions will address federal and other business partners 

external to DHS. Regarding the Homeland Secure Data Network, the 

department agreed with our finding that it is a significant initiative for the 

sharing of classified homeland security information and that it has 

developed a program plan to allow for future expansion of this effort.

Treasury officials raised concerns regarding the sensitivity of information 

related to the networks and applications described in this report. We have 

been cognizant of the sensitivity of this information during the course of 

this engagement and have asked the agencies to review the report for 

information they deem too sensitive for public release, which they have 

done. The information in this report has been approved for public release 

by the agencies responsible for their specific networks. 

As agreed with your offices, unless you publicly announce its contents 

earlier, we plan no further distribution of this report until 30 days from the 

date on the report. At that time, we will send copies of the report to the 

Chairmen and Ranking Minority Members of other Senate and House 

committees and subcommittees having authorization and oversight 

responsibilities for homeland security. We will also send copies to the 

Secretary of Homeland Security and to the other agencies that participated 

in our review. In addition, the report will be available at no charge on the 

GAO Web site at http://www.gao.gov.

Should you or your offices have any questions about matters discussed in 

this report, please contact me at (202) 512-9286 or by e-mail at 
Page 4 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

pownerd@gao.gov. You may also contact M. Yvonne Sanchez, Assistant 

Director, at (202) 512-6274 or by e-mail at sanchezm@gao.gov. Major 

contributors to this report also included James C. Houtz, M. Saad Khan, 

Nicholas H. Marinos, Teresa F. Tucker, and William F. Wadsworth.

David A. Powner

Director, Information Technology Management Issues
Page 5 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional Apendxies

Requesters ApendxiI

Major Federal Networks

That Support

Homeland Security Functions

Briefing Provided to Staff

of

Congressional Requesters

July 30, 2004

UPDATED
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 6 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

2

Table of Contents

Page

• Introduction 03

• Objective, Scope, and Methodology 05

• Results in Brief 10

• Background 11

• Major Homeland Security Networks 21

• Homeland Security Applications 32

• Summary 43

• Agency Comments 45

• Appendixes

I. Description of Classified Networks 46

II. Description of Sensitive but Unclassified Networks 47

III. Description of Unclassified Networks 49
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 7 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

3

Introduction

Congressional Requesters

• The Honorable Susan M. Collins, Chairman

Committee on Governmental Affairs

U.S. Senate

• The Honorable Tom Davis, Chairman

Committee on Government Reform

House of Representatives

• The Honorable Adam H. Putnam, Chairman

Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy,

Intergovernmental Relations and the Census

Committee on Government Reform

House of Representatives
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 8 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

4

Introduction

• One of the information systems challenges in the homeland security area is

ensuring that critical information is shared in a timely and secure manner to 

a variety of parties within federal, state, and local governments, as well as 

in the private sector.

• Ensuring the transmission and receipt of sensitive and in some cases 

classified information requires communications networks that have 

adequate security to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of 

the transmitted information.

• It is important that federal networks meet the vital communications needs

for effective homeland security, and do so in an efficient manner that 

includes productive information sharing among and between the various 

levels of government.

• We are providing two versions of this briefing, one public and one Limited

Official Use Only.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 9 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

5

Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Objective

To identify major networks and examples of applications that are operated or 

being developed by federal agencies in support of homeland security functions.

Scope

Conducted work at 9 federal agencies that play major roles in supporting

homeland security functions: 

• Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Department of Defense (DOD)

• Department of Energy (DOE)

• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

• Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Department of State

• Department of the Treasury

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 10 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

6

Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Methodology

• We asked agency officials to identify and describe the major networks and 

applications that they considered important in supporting their homeland

security functions.

• We collected descriptive data on the networks, such as type of 

network topography, primary users, estimated costs, and future plans.

• We used the homeland security mission areas described in the 

National Strategy for Homeland Security.1

• We corroborated the information that agencies provided about networks 

that are used by multiple agencies.

• Agencies verified the accuracy of the data about their networks; however,

we cannot ensure that agencies provided data on all applicable networks.

• We included information about publicly acknowledged classified networks

but did not collect or include classified information about these networks. 1 Published in July 2002.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 11 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

7

Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Methodology

• We excluded the following types of networks:

• those used exclusively to support weapons systems and battlefield

operations,

• those that exclusively support radio and other wireless devices, and

• voice-only networks.

• We conducted our review from January 2004 through July 2004, in 

accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 12 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

8

Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Definitions

2Executive Order 13292: Further Amendment to Executive Order 12958, as Amended, Classified National Security Information (March 25, 2003) 3For a historical perspective on SBU, see CRS Report RL31845, “Sensitive But Unclassified" and Other Federal Security Controls on Scientific and

Technical Information: History and Current Controversy (updated July 2, 2003).

For purposes of this review, we used the following definitions:

• Networks are the data communication links that enable computer systems to 

communicate with each other.

• Homeland security, as defined in the National Strategy for Homeland

Security, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the 

United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the

damage and recover from attacks that occur.

• Top secret applies to classified information, the unauthorized disclosure of

which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to 

national security.2

• Secret applies to classified information, the unauthorized disclosure of which

could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security.2

• Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) is a generic term used to describe

unclassified information that is (1) not required by law to be made available to 

the public, and (2) sufficiently sensitive to restrict access from public 

disclosure, but not sensitive enough to warrant a classified designation.3
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 13 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

9

Objective, Scope, and Methodology

Data Limitations

• The data presented here do not portray all networks used for information

sharing because of the exclusion of classified networks that are not publicly

acknowledged.

• The data presented also do not fully portray networks within the intelligence

community4 that support homeland security activities.

4The intelligence community is comprised of executive branch agencies and organizations that work separately and together to conduct

intelligence activities necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the United States.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 14 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

10

Results in Brief

• Nine agencies identified 34 major networks that support homeland security

functions—32 operational and 2 in development.

• DHS has developed an initial version of an enterprise architecture to assist its 

efforts to integrate and share information among and between federal agencies 

and other entities; version 1.0 of its architecture does not include many of the

networks identified that support these efforts.

• Cost information was not available for some networks—of the cost information

that was available for fiscal years 2003 and 2004, the cost estimates totaled

about $1 billion per year.

• DHS’s Homeland Secure Data Network appears to be a significant initiative for 

future sharing of classified homeland security information among civilian agencies 

and DOD.

• Agencies identified over 100 examples of major applications that support the 

homeland security missions areas; we selected 18 examples to illustrate the

range of applications that are used across federal agencies.

• The Internet has also been identified as a major network for supporting homeland

security applications.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 15 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

11

Background

Department of Homeland Security

• On November 25, 2002, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law

107-296) established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• DHS is required to coordinate efforts across all levels of government and

throughout the nation, including federal, state, tribal, local, and privatesector homeland security resources.

• DHS’s mission is accomplished by various departmental components that

are responsible for, among other things,

• enforcing immigration and customs laws and providing effective border

and transportation system defense against external threats;

• preparing for, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering

from all domestic disasters, including acts of terror; and

• providing intelligence analysis of terrorist threat information and

mitigating the vulnerabilities in the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 16 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

12

Background

Department of Homeland Security

• According to the President’s National Strategy for Homeland Security, part 

of DHS’s responsibilities is to coordinate and facilitate the sharing of

information both among its component agencies and with other federal 

agencies, state and local governments, the private sector, and other 

entities.

• In August 2003, we reported that DHS had begun to develop an enterprise

architecture and that it planned to use this architecture to assist its efforts 

to integrate and share information among federal agencies and between

federal agencies, state and city governments, and the private sector.5

5GAO, Homeland Security: Efforts to Improve Information Sharing Need to Be Strengthened, GAO-03-760

(Washington, D.C.: Aug. 27, 2003).
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 17 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

13

Background

Previously Reported DHS Management Challenges

• As reported in GAO’s 2003 high-risk series:6

• DHS faced challenges to improving IT management during the

transformation to the new department.

• Future needs must be sufficiently identified in order for DHS to build

effective systems that can support the national homeland security

strategy.

• DHS inherited IT problems from several of the agencies being

incorporated into the new department.

• The government’s ability to leverage information sharing between and

among important government and private sector stakeholders must be 

strengthened.

• We noted the importance of addressing these challenges in order for DHS 

and other federal agencies to maximize the use of existing networks and to 

plan for the successful implementation of new networks.

6GAO, Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: Department of Homeland Security, GAO-03-102

(Washington, D.C.: January 2003).
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 18 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

14

Background

Other Federal Agencies’ Roles in Supporting 

Homeland Security Functions

Department of Defense (DOD)

• Carry out military missions abroad that reduce the terrorist threat to the 

United States.

• Protect United States territory, domestic populations, and critical 

infrastructure against military attacks emanating from outside the United 

States, under the operation of the Northern Command.7

• Support civil authorities under emergency circumstances when asked to 

act quickly and provide capabilities that other agencies do not have or for 

limited scope missions where other agencies have the lead (also called

“military assistance to civil authorities” or “civil support”).

Department of State

• Develop, coordinate, and implement counterterrorism policy and building

international coalitions to identify and eliminate terrorist networks.

• Review and process applications for visas to visit the United States and 

denying visas to applicants who pose a danger to national security.

7Also known as homeland defense.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 19 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

15

Background

Other Federal Agencies’ Roles in Supporting 

Homeland Security Functions

Department of Justice (DOJ)

• Prevent terrorist acts before they occur, and investigate and prosecute 

those who have committed or intend to commit these acts.

• Combat espionage by strengthening counterintelligence capabilities.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Provide critical expertise and resources related to bioterrorism.

• Coordinate the deployment of medical personnel, equipment, and 

pharmaceuticals among federal agencies and the American Red Cross in 

cases of terrorist attacks when medical consequences exceed local and 

state capabilities.

• Provide health warning information.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 20 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

16

Background

Other Federal Agencies’ Roles in Supporting 

Homeland Security Functions

Department of the Treasury

• Develop and implement federal strategies to combat terrorist financing

domestically and internationally.

• Participate in the development and implementation of federal policies and

regulations in support of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Department of Energy (DOE)

• Safeguard and secure nuclear weapons complexes and stored stockpile

material.

• Provide technology, analysis, and expertise to aid federal agencies in 

preventing the spread or use of weapons of mass destruction (i.e., 

radiological, chemical, and biological).
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 21 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

17

Background

Other Federal Agencies’ Roles in Supporting 

Homeland Security Functions

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Protect the nation’s agriculture sector and the meat and poultry areas of 

the food sector from terrorist attacks.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Secure the nation’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure, the chemical

industry, and the hazardous materials sector.

• Minimize the impact to indoor and outdoor air from terrorist attack.

• Respond to and recover from acts of biological, chemical, certain 

radiological, and other terrorist attacks.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 22 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

18

Background

Description of Networks

• The term network refers to the data communication links and the network

elements such as routers and switches that enable these computer

systems to communicate with each other.

• A network in a small geographical area is known as a local area network

(LAN); most organizations have one or more LANs at each of their offices.

• Wide area networks (WANs) connect multiple LANs within an organization

that is dispersed over a wide geographical area.

• The term network also refers to virtual private networks (VPN) which are

communication systems that use public networks to securely transport 

private intra- and interorganizational information.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

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19

Background

Example of a Typical Network

Computer systems are interconnected into LANs and WANs and are often connected to the Internet

Sources: GAO analysis and Microsoft Visio.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 24 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

20

Background

Use of Networks for Homeland Security

According to the National Strategy for Homeland Security:

• Information sharing and information systems contribute to every aspect of

homeland security, but our country’s information systems have not 

adequately supported the homeland security mission.

• The National Strategy aligns homeland security functions into 6 critical 

mission areas, as described on page 32.

• Two fundamental problems have prevented the federal government from 

building efficient governmentwide information systems.

• Government acquisition of information systems has not been 

coordinated and agencies have not pursued compatibility across the 

federal government or with state and local entities.

• Cultural barriers often prevent agencies from exchanging and

integrating information.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 25 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

21

Major Homeland Security Networks

Overview on the Use of Networks in Federal Agencies

• Agencies identified 34 networks that are used to support homeland security

• 8 publicly acknowledged classified networks—7 operational and 1 in 

development;

• 18 sensitive but unclassified (SBU) networks—17 operational and 1 in

development; and

• 8 unclassified operational networks.

• 21 of 34 are single-agency networks; these are internal networks that 

support individual agencies’ missions by transmitting information within each

agency (e.g., connections between field and headquarters offices, access to 

internal information systems, and agency-level communications).
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

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22

Major Homeland Security Networks

Overview on the Use of Networks in Federal Agencies

• DHS has developed an initial version of an enterprise architecture to assist 

its efforts to integrate and share information among and between federal

agencies and other entities; version 1.0 of its architecture does not include

many of the networks identified that support these efforts. 

• Six networks are used to share SBU and unclassified information with state

and local governments; 4 share information with the private sector.

• Cost information was not available for some networks often due to the 

inability to separate network-specific cost information from overall program

budget, as well as cost information deemed classified or sensitive by the 

agency.

• For the cost information that was available, for fiscal years 2003 and

2004, the cost estimates totaled just over $1 billion per year.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 27 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

23

Major Homeland Security Networks

Classified Networks8

• Classified networks are used primarily to share intelligence and law

enforcement information within and between federal agencies.

• 5 federal agencies manage and maintain 8 publicly acknowledged

classified networks in use today—7 operational and 1 in development.

• There are 2 operational top secret networks.9

• There are 5 operational secret networks.

• There is 1 secret network in development.

8Classified networks are described in appendix I.

9These networks are also classified as sensitive compartmented information, which is classified information derived from intelligence

services, methods, or analytical processes; such information is handled by procedures established by the Director of Central Intelligence.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 28 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

24

Major Homeland Security Networks

Classified Networks



ICa

 Sensitive Compartmented Information

Operational Network



Other

Fed



USDA DOE



Treasury



State



DHS

Joint Worldwide Intelligence

Communications System (JWICS)

Top Secret Networks

 

DOD DOJ

Primary Network Users

 Agency responsible for managing and using the network Source: GAO analysis of agency data.

 Agency that uses the network . a Intelligence community

 Emergency Communications Network/

Classified

ClassNet 





ICa

Homeland Secure Data Network 

        Secret Internet Protocol Router Network

(SIPRNet)

Other

Fed DHS State Treasury USDA DOE

HUMINT Operational Communications

Network

Federal Bureau of Investigation Network

Secret Networks





DOD DOJ

Existing Existing

In

Dev
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 29 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

25

Major Homeland Security Networks

Classified Networks

• DHS is in the process of developing the new Homeland Secure Data 

Network, which is expected to

• provide services for transmitting secret information for DHS and civilian

agencies that currently rely on DOD’s SIPRNet;

• eventually be able to carry all types of data up to secret and may 

eventually support the transmission of top secret information;

• provide classified e-mail and Web sites, messaging, data analysis

tools, collaboration tools, and other applications required to support 

DHS; and 

• connect to other classified networks, including SIPRNet.

• According to DHS, fiscal year 2004 expected cost is $20 million; the

lifecycle cost has not yet been determined.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 30 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

26

Major Homeland Security Networks

Classified Networks

Homeland Secure Data Network (continued):

• The Homeland Secure Data Network appears to be a significant initiative

for sharing classified information among civilian agencies.

• Phase 1 is to be deployed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2005.

• Includes access to about 125 high-priority sites—about 70 DHS sites 

and over 50 state and local sites, including the transition of DHS 

officials from SIPRNet.

• Phase 2 is to be deployed during the second quarter of fiscal year 2005.

• Includes continued deployment to other DHS and state and local sites.

• Phase 3 is to be deployed during the third quarter of fiscal year 2005.

• Includes connection to other federal civilian agencies.

• As of July 2004, DHS was in the early stages of planning and had not yet 

coordinated with other agencies to determine their technical requirements

for classified network services or overall transition plans from SIPRNet to

the Homeland Secure Data Network.
Appendix I

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Page 31 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

27

Major Homeland Security Networks

Sensitive But Unclassified Networks10

• 5 agencies manage 18 networks that share SBU information internally,

among federal agencies, with state and local governments, and with the 

private sector—17 operational and 1 in development.

• 11 networks share information only within an agency.

• 2 networks share information only with other federal agencies.

• 5 networks share information with state and local government agencies

or the private sector.

• DHS has completed work to connect its multiple, disparate SBU and 

unclassified legacy networks through the DHS Core Network, although 

some DHS users are still in a transition phase and are operating on their

previous agencies’ networks.

10SBU networks are described in appendix II. 
Appendix I

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Requesters

Page 32 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

28

Major Homeland Security Networks

Sensitive But Unclassified Networks









State/

Local

      Critical Infrastructure Warning Information

Network





Other

Federal

FEMA WAN 

Army Reserve Network 

      Criminal Justice Information Services

WAN

 Corp of Engineer Enterprise Infrastructure

Services

Coast Guard Data Network Plus   

Air National Guard Enterprise Networka 

Private

Sector USDA HHS DOE EPA



State Treasury





DHS

DHS Core Network

Customs and Border Protection Network

SBU

Networks DOD DOJ

Primary Network Users

Existing

 Agency responsible for managing and using the network Source: GAO analysis of agency data

Agency that uses the network a Also supports some classified information
Appendix I

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Requesters

Page 33 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

29

Major Homeland Security Networks

Sensitive But Unclassified Networks

GuardNet 



State/

Local





Other

Federal

  Non-Classified IP Router Network

(NIPRNet)

ICENet     

Justice Consolidated Network 

 Justice Unified Telecommunications

Network

Treasury Communications System   

Private

Sector EPA

Secret Service WAN 

Treasury USDA HHS DOE



DHS State

OpenNet

Medical TRICARE Network

SBU

Networks



DOD DOJ

Primary Network Users

Existing InDev

 Agency responsible for managing and using the network Source: GAO analysis of agency data.

Agency that uses the network
Appendix I

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30

Major Homeland Security Networks

Sensitive But Unclassified Networks

• DOJ is in the process of implementing the Justice Unified 

Telecommunications Network, which is expected to

• increase the agency’s existing capability to share information by 

replacing its existing SBU network,

• carry all types of data (e.g., videoconferencing and voice over Internet 

protocol services), including classified data, and

• transmit information relating to the investigation and prosecution of 

crimes and terrorist activities among DOJ's components.

• Implementation is planned for the end of 2004.

• According to DOJ, fiscal year 2003 costs are $3 million and the estimated 

fiscal year 2004 costs are $4 million.

• While final decisions have not been made, connectivity is being planned to 

allow information sharing with DHS or other government agencies.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 35 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

31

Major Homeland Security Networks

Unclassified Networks11

5 agencies manage 8 networks that share unclassified information within an agency, 

between federal agencies, with state and local governments, and with the private sector.

Food and Drug Administration WAN 

Food Safety Inspection Service WAN 

EPA WAN 

 Emergency Communications

Network/ Unclassified

DOE Corporate Network 

       Diplomatic Telecommunications

Service

   Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service Enterprise WAN

  Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention Network

Private

Sector

State/

Local

Other

Federal DHS State Treasury USDA HHS DOE EPA

Unclassified

Networks DOD DOJ

Primary Network Users

Existing

 Agency responsible for managing and using the network 11Unclassified networks are described in appendix III.

 Agency that uses the network Source: GAO analysis of agency data.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 36 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

32

Homeland Security Applications

Homeland Security Mission Areas

To prevent terrorist use of nuclear weapons, detect chemical and

biological materials and attacks, improve chemical sensors and

decontamination techniques, and develop vaccines and antidotes.

Defending against catastrophic threats

To improve protection of the individual pieces and interconnecting

systems that make up our critical infrastructure, making us more

secure from terrorist attacks and reducing our vulnerability to natural

disasters, organized crime, and computer hackers.

Protecting critical infrastructure and

key assets12

To minimize the damage and recover from future terrorist attacks

that may occur by bringing together and coordinating all necessary

response assets quickly and effectively.

Emergency preparedness and

response

To identify, halt, and where appropriate, prosecute terrorists in the

United States, pursuing not only the individuals directly involved in 

terrorist activity but also their sources of support.

Domestic counterterrorism

To promote the efficient and reliable flow of people, goods, and

services across borders, while preventing terrorists from using

transportation conveyances or systems to deliver implements of

destruction.

Border and transportation security

To detect terrorist activity before it manifests itself in an attack so 

that proper preemptive, preventive, and protective action can be

taken.

Intelligence and warning

12This mission area aligns closely with the other areas and is therefore represented by all of the application examples.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 37 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

33

Homeland Security Applications

Overview

• Agencies identified over 100 examples of major applications that support the 

various homeland security missions areas; we selected 18 examples that 

illustrate the range of applications that are used across the government:

• 4 examples that support intelligence and warning,

• 3 examples that support border and transportation security,

• 5 examples that support domestic counterterrorism,

• 2 examples that support defending against catastrophic threats, and

• 4 examples that support emergency preparedness and response.

• Agencies at times used the term network to describe computer systems or 

applications that communicate with each other through the use of data

communications links; for purposes of this review, we categorized these as 

applications.

• Federal agencies are increasingly relying on the Internet to provide

information-sharing services with other federal agencies, with state and local

governments, and with the private sector.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 38 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

34

Homeland Security Applications

Use of the Internet

Agencies identified the Internet as a major public network for supporting

homeland security functions. For example:

• DHS is using the Internet through the Homeland Security Information 

Network, a collection of systems that support two-way communications of 

SBU information among DHS, governors’ offices, homeland security

advisers, and the National Guard.

• DOD has established a virtual private network via the Internet for the SBU 

Anti-Drug Network, a drug-interdiction community made up of federal 

agencies, the intelligence community, law enforcement officials, and

private enterprises.

• DOJ has established an Internet-based network, the Regional Information

Sharing System Network, for exchanging criminal intelligence with law 

enforcement officials and first responders.

• HHS is using digital certificates for secure information exchange over the 

Internet to support the Public Health Information Network.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 39 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

35

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Intelligence and Warning

• DOD’s Modernized Intelligence Data Base is reported to provide nearreal-time and synchronized dissemination of military intelligence in support

of antiterrorist activities.

• Uses DOD’s JWICS to interface with intelligence and war fighter

databases and applications

• The State Department’s Consular Lookout and Support System is

reported to provide information about individuals who were refused a visa 

or passport and those who are considered a potential national security

threat.

• Uses State’s OpenNet network to provide information to consular

officers involved in the visa issuance process, passport agencies,

other federal agencies, and the international community
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 40 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

36

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Intelligence and Warning

• DHS’s Pathfinder is a search tool that was developed to store all Coast

Guard intelligence message traffic and intelligence reports.

• Uses DOD’s SIPRNet to provide information to intelligence analysts.

• DOJ has supported the implementation of the Regional Information

Sharing System Network, which is a communications network

administered by state and local law enforcement to exchange SBU criminal

intelligence among law enforcement officials, including information on 

potential threats.

• Uses the Internet to provide information to law enforcement and first 

responder communities

• DOJ has several new pilot projects with DHS, DOD, State, and other 

entities to expand information sharing among federal, state, and local

law enforcement and other entities.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 41 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

37

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Border and Transportation Security

• DHS’s Treasury Enforcement Communications System is reported to 

provide support for passenger processing and investigations.

• Uses the Treasury Communications System network to provide (1) 

border inspection, investigative, interdiction, intelligence analysis, and 

integrity tracking support software, and (2) communications to federal, 

state, and international law enforcement

• DHS’s United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology

is to collect, maintain, and share information on foreign nationals.

• Uses ICENet to provide information to the Departments of Commerce, 

Homeland Security, Justice, State, and Transportation

• DHS’s Automated Targeting System is reported to electronically review

and prioritize data for exports, imports, and airline passengers to identify 

cargo and passengers most likely to threaten national security.

• Uses the Internet to provide information to Customs and Border officials
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 42 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

38

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Domestic Counterterrorism

• Treasury’s PATRIOT Act Communications System is reported to be a 

secure messaging system that communicates and disseminates information

such as advisories and reports on the latest trends in money laundering or

terrorist financing.

• Uses the department’s network to provide information to its Financial

Crimes Enforcement Network and financial institutions

• DOD sponsors the Anti-Drug Network, a community that was established to

support drug-interdiction activities.

• Uses an Internet-based virtual private network to provide unclassified

information to DOD officials, diplomats, the intelligence community, law 

enforcement, private enterprises dealing with governments, and state, 

local, and foreign governments

• Uses SIPRNet to provide classified information to DOD officials,

diplomats, the intelligence community, law enforcement, the Federal 

Communications Commission, and the Executive Office of the President
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 43 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

39

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Domestic Counterterrorism

• DOJ’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint Information System is

reported to identify individuals from submitted fingerprints and provide

records on criminals, including terrorists.

• Uses the Criminal Justice Information Services WAN to provide 

criminal history information to federal, state and local agencies as well 

as other authorized licensing and employment agencies.

• DOJ’s National Crime Information Center system is reported to provide

information on individuals, vehicles, or property associated with terrorist 

organizations or crimes.

• Uses the Criminal Justice Information Services WAN to provide 

information to all law enforcement agencies and officers, including

federal, state, and local officials

• DOJ’s Law Enforcement Online is a data repository that was developed

to store SBU data and provide a hub for the law enforcement community 

and other related networks.

• Uses a secure Internet-based virtual private network to provide

information for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 44 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

40

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Defending Against Catastrophic Threats

• DOD’s Joint Biological Point Detection System is to detect, identify, 

sample, collect, and communicate the presence of biological warfare 

agents in order to enhance the survivability of United States forces.

• Consists of complementary trigger, sampler, detector, and 

identification technologies that allow it to rapidly and automatically

detect and identify biological threat agents

• DHS’s BioWatch—a combined effort with HHS and EPA using

environmental sensors in over 30 cities around the country—is reported to 

monitor the air for potential biothreat agents. The system uses filter pads 

that collect air samples that are tested for the presence of any agents.

• Some information is currently disseminated across federal agencies by 

voice communications, although efforts are under way to use the 

Internet to share data.

• Laboratory test results are shared electronically with HHS.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 45 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

41

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• DHS’s National Emergency Management Information System is

reported to provide automation support for core emergency management

functions, including emergency coordination efforts and disaster assistance

for individual victims.

• Uses the FEMA Network to provide information to federal, state and 

local response operations, and for support of public assistance and 

mitigation programs for state and local government recovery efforts

• DHS’s Homeland Security Information Network was implemented to 

provide a collaborative two-way tool that supports federal, state, and local 

law enforcement and intelligence programs by providing connectivity to 

government agencies

• Uses the Internet to provide situational awareness, decision support,

and event reporting, as well as support for national special security

events.13

13When an event is designated by DHS as a national special security event, federal resources are deployed to maintain 

security, with the Secret Service as the lead federal agency for implementation of the operational security plan.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 46 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

42

Homeland Security Applications

Examples That Support

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• HHS’s Public Health Information Network is reported to support public

health activities, including bioterrorism preparedness and response, by 

deploying and coordinating systems across the health care community.

• Uses the Internet to provide event detection, outbreak management,

lab result reporting, disease surveillance, health alerts, and knowledge

management information to the public health community—local and

state health departments, HHS, and other federal agencies

• DHS’s Disaster Management Interoperability Services is reported to 

provide the capability for the emergency management community to share

digital information across geographically dispersed entities.

• Uses the Internet to provide automated tools for responding to an 

incident by alerting first responders, graphically displaying incidents on 

a national map, and exchanging tactical information
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 47 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

43

Summary

• Nine agencies identified 34 major federal networks that support homeland

security functions.

• Approximately two-thirds of the networks identified are single-agency

networks that only share information internally.

• DHS has developed an initial version of an enterprise architecture to assist 

its efforts to integrate and share information among and between federal

agencies and other entities; version 1.0 of its architecture does not include

many of the networks identified that support these efforts.

• Cost information was not available for some networks often due to the 

inability to separate network-specific cost information from overall program

budget—of the cost information that was available for fiscal years 2003 and

2004, the cost estimates totaled about $1 billion per year.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 48 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

44

Summary

• DHS’s Homeland Secure Data Network appears to be a significant initiative

for future sharing of classified homeland security information among civilian

agencies, although still in the early planning stages.

• Questions remain about coordination with other government agencies 

to determine their technical requirements for classified network

services and overall transition plans from DOD’s SIPRNet to the 

Homeland Secure Data Network.

• Agencies provided examples of applications that are used across the 

federal government, which illustrate the range of applications that support

homeland security missions areas.

• The Internet has also been identified as a major network for supporting

homeland security applications.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 49 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

45

Agency Comments

• We received oral comments on a draft of these briefing slides from all 9 

federal agencies

• Agency officials agreed with the facts presented and provided technical

comments, which we incorporated in this document as appropriate.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 50 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

46

Appendix I

Description of Classified Networks

ClassNet is a global WAN that transports classified and unclassified data in support of State

Department activities, including secure messaging between State executives and U.S. diplomats,

and access to classified web sites.

State Class Net

SCION is a global WAN that transports secret and top secret data. It is less than 2 years old and

will support applications now being developed related to aid counterterrorism efforts.

Sensitive Compartmented

Information Operational Network

(SCION)

FBINet is used for communicating secret information, including investigative case file and

intelligence pertaining to national security.

Federal Bureau of Investigations

Network (FBINet)

DOJ

ECN/C provides encrypted exchange of real-time emergency event information between DOE's

National Nuclear Security Administration field offices, the national laboratories, and headquarters.

Emergency Communications

Network/Classified (ECN/C)

DOE

JWICS is a global WAN used for the dissemination of top secret military intelligence information--

voice, video, and data--in support of anti-terrorist activities

Joint Worldwide Intelligence

Communications System (JWICS)

SIPRNet is a global WAN used to transmit secret data in support of homeland security activities,

including drug interdiction operations and anti-terrorist activities, such as customs and border

patrol operations and law enforcement activities.

Secret Internet Protocol Router

Network (SIPRNet)

H

in s

HUMINT Operational

Communications Network (HOCNet)

OCNET is used for the dissemination of secret-level human intelligence (HUMINT) information

upport of the Defense HUMINT Service.

DOD

HSDN will transport classified homeland security data in support of activities including

intelligence, investigations, and inspections. HSDN will serve as the replacement for SIPRNET's

secret connectivity for civilian agencies.

Homeland Secure Data Network

(HSDN) (planned)

DHS

Network Name Network Description Responsible

Agency

Source: GAO analysis of agency data.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 51 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

47

Appendix II

Description of Sensitive But Unclassified Networks

CWIN is a secure network for voice and data used to transmit data on infrastructure protection,

communication and coordination, alert, and notification. In the event a significant attack disrupts

the telecommunications networks or the Internet, CWIN provides secure capability for

communications across key government network operations centers (NOC), as well as private

sector and trusted foreign partner NOCs.

Critical Infrastructure Warning

Information Network (CWIN)

JUTNet is a planned network that will be used to transmit classified and unclassified information

relating to the investigation and prosecution of crimes and terrorist activities.

Justice Unified Telecommunications

Network (JUTNet) (planned)

DOJ JCN is used to transmit data relating to the investigation and prosecution of crimes and terrorist

activities among DOJ components.

Justice Consolidated Network (JCN)

C

indi

Criminal Justice Information Services

(CJIS) WAN

JIS WAN provides data entered by state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies on

viduals, vehicles, and property associated with crimes or terrorist organizations. It is also used

to identify individuals from submitted fingerprints and to exchange DNA information.

The Secret Service WAN transports SBU data used to support protective services for the

President and to investigate financial crimes.

Secret Service WAN

ICENet provides data to support immigration enforcement at points of entry and application service

centers, and provides data to support border patrol, anti-smuggling units, and air operations.

Immigration and Customs

Enforcement Network (ICENet)

FEMA WAN provides support for emergency coordination of federal, state, and local operations,

disaster assistance, and government recovery efforts.

Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) WAN

DCN is used to transmit SBU data related to DHS' directorates' homeland security functions, such

as customs and border patrol, intelligence and warning, and counter-terrorism.

DHS Core Network (DCN)

The CBP Network is used to transmit SBU data related to CBP's support of homeland security

functions, such as protecting the nation's borders from terrorists, and regulating and facilitating the

lawful movement of goods and persons across U.S. borders.

Customs and Border Protection

Network

CGDN+ is used to transmit data such as maritime-related law enforcement information and

intelligence supporting drug interdiction, border control, and emergency sealift management.

Coast Guard Data Network Plus

(CGDN+)

DHS

Network Name Network Description

Responsible

Agency

Source: GAO analysis of agency data.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 52 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

48

Appendix II

Description of Sensitive But Unclassified Networks

State

TCS' network services are used to transport data related to combating terrorist financing. It also

transmits information to support the homeland security activities of several law enforcement

agencies that transitioned either to DHS or DOJ.

Treasury Communications System

(TCS)

Treasury

OpenNet is a global WAN that transports unclassified data in support of the foreign and domestic

activities of the State Department, including information for processing visa and passport

applications.

Open Net

N

feder

Non-classified Internet Protocol Router

Network (NIPRNet)

IPRNet is a global WAN used to transmit unclassified data within DOD and with other select

al agencies.

M

com

Medical Command (MEDCOM) Tricare

Network

EDCOM Tricare Network provides information--voice, video, and data--to support the medical

mand throughout the wartime theater of operations as well as peace operations,

humanitarian assistance and operations in aid of civil authorities.

GuardNet is an operational infrastructure that provides connectivity between National Guard

components and the Army. It transports information--voice, video, and data--for planning and

supporting National Guard homeland defense and homeland security activities. GuardNet can, at 

the direction of DOD, be extended to the state and local level for their use.

GuardNet

CEEIS WAN transports information--voice, video, and data--related to water and flood control,

civil works, navigation, and power generation.

Corp of Engineers Enterprise

Infrastructure Services (CEEIS) WAN

ARNet WAN transports information--voice, video, and data-- for planning and supporting Army

Reserve homeland defense and homeland security activities.

Army Reserve Network (ARNet)

Air National Guard Enterprise Network provides emergency response information--voice, video,

and data--to Air National Guard state missions and civil emergency response teams that respond

to civil and natural disasters. It also provides local connection to NIPRNet and SIPRNet.

Air National Guard Enterprise Network

DOD

Network Name Network Description

Responsible

Agency

Source: GAO analysis of agency data.
Appendix I

Briefing Provided to Staff of Congressional 

Requesters

Page 53 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

49

Appendix III

Description of Unclassified Networks

The FDA WAN is the agency’s network that links all its major facilities. It transports unclassified

data in support of FDA's homeland security activities in support of import approval, health warning

information alerts, biologics marketing approval, and post-market drug and biologics health warning

regulatory communications.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

WAN

USDA

State

HHS

EPA

FSIS WAN provides data used to select food items to be inspected. It also provides information on

the results of laboratory tests, and helps analyze consumer complaints in order to identify

contaminants in the food supply, including possible intentional acts.

Food Safety Inspection Service

(FSIS) WAN

APHIS WAN provides data on plant and animal products including associated health certificates

and the tracking of product movements.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service Enterprise (APHIS) WAN

DTS is a global telecommunications service that provides WAN connectivity for all federal agencies

at overseas diplomatic and consular posts. It supports various customer interfaces (e.g., serial, IP, 

ATM) over diverse transmission paths such as terrestrial, satellite and Internet VPNs. DTS is

funded by a mix of direct appropriations and reimbursements from customer agencies.

Diplomatic Telecommunications

System (DTS)

CDCNet is a WAN that links all its major facilities. It transports unclassified data in support of CDC's

homeland security activities including infectious diseases surveillance, outbreak management, and

countermeasures management.

Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention Network (CDCNet)

The EPA WAN is the agency's national network that connects headquarters, regions, laboratories

and field offices. It transports unclassified information that supports EPA's homeland security

activities, including the protection of drinking water and air quality, and recovery from biological,

chemical, and certain radiological terrorist attacks.

EPA Wide Area Network

ECN/U transports unclassified information--voice, video, and data--providing secure exchange of

real-time emergency event information between DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration

field offices and headquarters.

Emergency Communications

Network/Unclassified (ECN/U)

DOEnet is the agency's core network infrastructure that transports data in support of DOE's

corporate activities and links headquarters to select field offices.

DOE Corporate Network (DOEnet)

DOE

Network Name Network Description

Responsible

Agency

Source: GAO analysis of agency data.
Page 54 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Appendix II

Comments from the Department of 

Agriculture ApendxiI
Page 55 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Appendix III

Comments from the Department of the 

Treasury ApendxiI

Comment: We acknowledged 

neither locations nor paths of 

specific programs; rather we 

only provided general 

descriptions of the networks 

identified.
Page 56 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Appendix IV

Comments from the Department of Homeland 

Security ApendxiIV
Appendix IV

Comments from the Department of Homeland 

Security

Page 57 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks
Page 58 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks

Appendix V

Comments from the Department of Health and 

Human Services ApendxiV
Appendix V

Comments from the Department of Health 

and Human Services

Page 59 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks
Appendix V

Comments from the Department of Health 

and Human Services

(310473) Page 60 GAO-04-375 Federal Homeland Security Networks
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