On December 3, 2015, the Potomac Institute held a seminar entitled “Securing the Homeland: Information Sharing and the Role of Law Enforcement.” Michael Swetnam, CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, provided the opening and closing remarks, and the panel included four distinguished guests – Colonel (Ret.) Lee “Tip Wight (Executive Director, Washington Regional Threat Analysis Center), Donna Roy, USMC (Executive Director, Information Sharing Environment Office, Department of Homeland Security), Anthony Placido (Head of Government Liaison, Americas Region, HSBC Financial Crimes Compliance), and Dr. Andrew Coffey (Senior Analyst for Policy & Research, IEM). Each panelist presented the way in which their organization shares information, and discussed the ways to mature the current information sharing evironment.

In the 21st century information sharing is a timely issue, and the ability to share information and intelligence across multiple domains is imperative for national security. The panelists noted that information sharing has made large improvements since 2001, but highlighted that changes in existing policy are needed to promote a faster and more efficient information exchange. Data sharing policies limit the flow of information, and vertical and horizontal integration is needed for a wholly effective system. As Anthony Placido stated, “we need dots to connect the dots.” As such, we must also maintain a cadre of analysts educated in multiple arenas so that information can be detected, analyzed, and successfully shared.