NCJ Number
208661
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 11 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 8-14
Date Published
December 2004
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC), which is an operational clearinghouse of terrorist-related intelligence information.
Abstract
Bob Hardin, the first and only director of GISAC, began the task of developing the GISAC in October 2001. At that time he had no staff, no budget in the middle of a State budget year, a broad mission statement, and only a vague concept of what the organization was to become. Hardin learned about the contemporary nature of terrorist-related intelligence information, its sources, its importance, who needs it, and when they need it. GISAC's organization is multilayered, with a two-way conduit as the nucleus of an intelligence web. This web can transfer information from local first responders and citizens to the State level and on to the highest Federal levels of the homeland security intelligence network and then back again. GISAC is the focal point for the collection, assessment, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism intelligence information that relates to Georgia. It is staffed by a team of representatives from various States organizations. GISAC headquarters in Atlanta houses an operations center that can be activated in a terrorist-related emergency anywhere in the State. It becomes the "nerve" center in a crisis. A digital mapping system allows real-time tracking of incidents or reports. GICAC's web is cast in many directions to obtain hundreds of pieces of information daily. These are studied to determine whether they require further investigation. A law enforcement-sensitive intelligence bulletin is issued monthly to all associated law enforcement sources. GICAC is also part of the Multi-State Information Sharing Analysis Center, which has the broad mission of providing a focal point for collected information on cyber threats to critical infrastructures.