Technology in the US Government - Term Paper Example

Running head: TECHNOLOGY IN U.S GOVERNMENT  Technology in U.S Government  23rd, June Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Level of Information Technology in the FBI 6 Level of Personnel IT Training and Management support in FBI 7 IT and Job Efficiency 7 Analysis of the Information Received From the Interviewees 8 Contrast and Comparison of the Interviewee’s Views on the Level of IT in the FBI 8 The Importance of IT in the Federal Bureau of Investigation 9 Discussion of the Findings 10 Conclusion 11 Recommendation for the Federal Bureau of Investigation 11 References 12 Abstract The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a US government agency with an international mandate of investigating federal crime, enhancing national security, enforcing federal laws, and bringing criminals to justice. However, the rise in technological advancements has affected the levels and complexity of international crimes thus challenging the effectiveness of the FBI. The FBI has subsequently adopted high Information Technology (IT) to curb international crime and guarantee national security. The paper will focus on an interview and views obtained from the management and staff of FBI relating to the level of IT in the agency, the importance of IT, and recommendations for improvement. Introduction The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a US government agency attached to the Department of Justice with its headquarters in Edgar Hoover Building, Washington D.C (FBI, 2012). The US government established the FBI in 1908 with a core mission of investigating federal crime, enforcing federal laws, enhancing national security, and bringing criminals to justice (Hamilton, 2007). Its priorities include protecting the United States from terrorist attacks, protecting civil rights, combating public corruption and all forms of crime, protecting the United States against cyber-based attacks, supporting local and international partners, combat transnational criminal organizations, and protecting the United States against foreign intelligence (United States Department of Justice, 2010). To realize its priorities and mission, the FBI relies on domestic and foreign Intelligence, Law Enforcement Communities, federal government support, and top class information technology to improve its operations operational and enhance the effectiveness of the agency. However, with the recent and vibrant technological advancements terrorist and criminals are now using recent technologies to launch attacks to its allies and US. Hence, to remain reliable in its commission, the FBI requires the best of information technology to keep in pace and curb the high-tech insecurity. As such, the FBI has developed the FBIs IT strategic plan and initiated measures of acquiring the best information technology professionals, digitized its operations, and maintained the FBIs IT enterprise and website (United States Department of Justice, 2010). This has been significant in providing technical direction FBI business processes, maintaining the FBIs technology assets, and providing high-tech identification and information services relating to national security. The FBI includes the executives, special agents, and professional staff working in FBI offices and branches (FBI, 2012). In an interview carried from the office of the Director in charge of FBI, he had various views on the FBI IT system. He observed that the IT infrastructure of FBI requires a transformation to become more effective and resilient. He focused on the proposed Next Generation Network that will upgrade the FBI’s Wide Area Network (United States Department of Justice, 2010). He equally recognized the need for FBI to align its IT to an inclusive system that will encompass data repositories across all mission areas and move from the stove‐piped technologies applied in FBI. In addition, he noted that FBI ought to increase its digital forensics capacity to eliminate backlogs and enhance effective media storage of FBI data. At the same time, he was of the view that FBI should increase its staff and sustain its established IT systems as well as introducing digital technologies that reflect the demands of the day. He was however confident that the current IT system in FBI is serving its purpose efficiently although the named improvements would make it more reliable. On the other hand, in an interview with a professional staff he equally had divergent views on the FBI IT system. He first recognizes that the IT infrastructure is in need of repair, there requires an IT strategic plan, and more so funding in the IT department needs a review. In advancing the IT system of FBI, he proposes an IT infrastructure upgrade program, "Trilogy," that represents modern and sophisticated technologies (Dies, 2001). He notes that the management and the federal government should seek to solve the emergent IT problems and FBI for the future. He equally realizes that the FBI needs to improve the document management, data center relocation, and re-engineer the Investigative Data Warehouse (United States Department of Justice, 2010). He holds the view that FBI should replace the legacy mainframe applications and improve network deficiencies. He equally requests for the provision of collaborative tools and better communications with other law enforcement agencies to the FBI agents. Nevertheless, he is grateful of the support that the IT branch has received so far, appreciates the effectiveness of the current IT system, and foresees a room for improvement. Level of Information Technology in the FBI There has been reorganization in the FBI’s Information and Technology Branch. The reorganization has resulted to the creation of three divisions that include the IT Management Division, the IT Services Division, and the IT Engineering Division (FBI, 2012). Notably, the work of the FBI is purely investigating and as such requires relevant IT systems to achieve its purpose inter alia deterring and prevention of crimes across the globe. Nevertheless, in the recent past, the FBI IT system had about 13,000 eight years old computers that would not run the modern basic software. In addition, the majority of FBI smaller offices interconnected to a network with a low speed of about 56KB. This reduced the efficiency of the system as well as the efficiency of the FBI. More so, most FBI agents would not store investigative data that includes graphs, photographs, and tabulated data into the FBI database electronically (Dies, 2001). However, to date, high-speed network connections link all the offices of the FBI. Additionally, the IT system within FBI links each employee desk to the entire FBI. Various servers with multiple systems in a well distributed support the current FBI IT enterprise, and stove piped environment. Actually, the user-specific software tools improve user applications thus enhancing the ability of each special to access, organize, and analyze information. The current FBI IT system offers enterprise support, customer support, network support, infrastructure support, and system support (FBI, 2012). As a result, the level of IT in FBI is now more effective and efficient, allows the FBI to meet its objectives, and supports informed decision-making. The reorganized FBI’s Information and Technology Branch reduces the layers of management and accords focus to service delivery. Level of Personnel IT Training and Management support in FBI FBI realizes the fact that it requires skilled professionals to revolutionize and operate its IT system that is more advanced and reflective of the growing technological developments. Such, professional would maximize the potential of the FBI IT with minimal errors, flexibility, and maintain the system. As such, the FBI has invested in training and educating its staff on security and IT throughout the Bureau. The personnel train on applications software, operating systems, and software engineering as well as network engineering. The agency equally requires training on database management, project management, and knowledge management that seeks to improve the daily operations of the FBI at all levels. The personnel also train in policy, planning, and systems analysis (FBI, 2012). To achieve this, the management receives funding from the federal government and subsequently distributers it to among others the IT branch for training. This has been the cornerstone of the effectiveness of the FBI. IT and Job Efficiency IT improves job efficiency in that one can easily access information electronically, store data, organize information, analyse data using modern technologies. In addition, It improves the accuracy of our work as it has minimal errors not unless the system fails or is inhabited by a virus. Moreover, IT enables quick articulation of assignments and avails reliable sources of information (Khosrowpour, 2001). IT equally forms a reliable reference point of past missions, forms a basis for appraisals, makes job evaluations easier, influences decision-making process, lowers the capital costs, and permits the carrying out of multiple tasks at the same time in an organization (GAO, 2005). As such, it is quite clear that IT has positive effects in the job environment (Bloom et al, 2010). The speed, accuracy, multiplicity, cost effectiveness, ease, and influence on decision-making qualifies IT to improve job efficiency. Analysis of the Information Received From the Interviewees From the information received from the office of the Director in charge of FBI, the new IT transformation will improve the efficiency of FBI’s IT and thus its operations. The proposed Next Generation Network seeking to upgrade the FBI’s Wide Area Network will be significant in modernizing the FBI’s IT infrastructure (McGroddy, 2004). This will enable FBI to move in line with the modern technologies that will subsequently integrate FBI data thus enhancing data management. The aspect of increasing the staff, sustaining technologies, and introducing digital technologies is relevant in enhancing the capabilities of FBI in dealing with sophisticated international crime. The introduction and increase of digital forensics capacity will help in eliminating backlogs, data storage, and remain current with technology. From the interview with the professional staff on the issue of "Trilogy," that represents modern and sophisticated technologies, it is quite clear that the FBI has to keep pace with advanced technology that will enhance its quest for national security as threatened by the increasingly IT-sophisticated criminals. We can deduce that with the adoption of the trilogy, FBI has a modern and more effective IT system that will foster its federal criminal investigations. Contrast and Comparison of the Interviewee’s Views on the Level of IT in the FBI Both interviewee share the view that the current FBI IT structure suits it purpose and that it is more effective than it was sometimes back. They equally share the view that there is still more room to improve the FBI IT system in order to remain current with the sophisticated technologies used by criminals. They agree on the need to transform the FBI IT infrastructure. The office of the Director focused on increasing FBI’s digital forensics capacity, introducing the Next Generation Network, increasing its staff and sustaining its established IT systems as well as introducing digital technologies. On the other hand, the professional staff focuses on the upgrade program, "Trilogy," document management, data center relocation, improving network deficiencies, and re-engineering the Investigative Data Warehouse. The Importance of IT in the Federal Bureau of Investigation It is through IT that FBI agents can trace the location and identify known criminals. They also use IT to reveal the identity of criminal who conceal their names, hide their faces, or even undergo plastic surgery. At the same time, IT helps the FBI agents to store investigative data in a safe and accessible mode. The passwords used in the IT departments helps to maintain the privacy and secrecy of the agency and its operations (Hamilton, 2007). Indeed, IT also helps in the analysis of investigative data in a fact and accurate manner. Through the IT, the agency can be able to assess its progress in a mission taking few or many years. More so, the IT forms the bases of communication between the FBI agents, with the management, and with the federal government through the US president who is the commander in chief. They also use IT to launch attacks on criminals, hinder, and prevent attacks by criminals locally and internationally. IT helps in the administration and management of FBI where in makes work easier, reduces the hierarchies of management, lowers the cost of administration, and ensures streamlined decision-making. Moreover, FBI uses IT to liaise with other security and intelligence agencies on issues relating to world security. As such, IT has numerous benefits to the operations and management of FBI thus improving its efficiency and enhancing its quest to national security. Findings Key: DFC- digital forensics capacity NGN- Next Generation Network DT- digital technologies Staff DM- document management, Trilogy ND- network deficiencies DCR- data center relocation. Discussion of the Findings We can denote that both interviewees have almost the same satisfaction with the current level of IT in FBI. They agree that the FBI IT infrastructure should undergo a transformation. They however have different opinions on the improvements on the FBI IT system. While the Office of the Director focuses on FBI’s digital forensics capacity, the Next Generation Network, digital technologies, and the number of staff, the professional staff on the other hand focuses on document management, upgrade program, "Trilogy," network deficiencies, data center relocation, and re-engineering the Investigative Data Warehouse. Conclusion I find that the FBI is a very fundamental agency in the US and the world at large where matters of security are concerned. Just like any other department, the FBI draws many technological effects in its operations and management. The level of IT in the FBI is quite significant and aids the FBI to reach its targets. Nevertheless, there are calls for improvements to remain current with technology for purposes of dealing with high-tech criminals who are now using sophisticated technology. As such, the FBI has initiated technological transformations in its IT infrastructure and drafted an IT strategic plan to help in realization of its goals. Recommendation for the Federal Bureau of Investigation I would recommend the adoption and implementation of the proposals in the Information Technology Strategic Plan for the financial year 2010 – 2015. I would also recommend more funding to the FBI so that it can be able to implement the IT proposals, maintain its system, and offer training on its staff on IT to improve efficiency. References Bloomy, N., Garicano. L., Sadunxand, R., & Van Reenen, J. (2010). The distinct effects of Information Technology and Communication Technology on firm organization. Harvard Business School. Retrieved from: http://www.hbs.edu/research/pdf/11-023.pdf Dies, B. (2001).Testimony. FBI. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/news/testimony/presentation.2010-04-05.1367797060 FBI. (2012). Contact FBI Headquarters. FBI. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/fbi-headquarters FBI. (2012). FBI’s Information and Technology Branch Reorganization. FBI. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/itb/news-features/copy_of_three-fbi-employees-earn-national-defense-university-honors FBI. (2012). Information Technology Careers at the FBI. FBIJobs. Retrieved from https://www.fbijobs.gov/122.asp GAO. (2005). Information Technology. GAO. Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-05-1014T Hamilton, J. (2007). FBI. London: ABDO. Khosrowpour, M. (2001). Information Technology and Organizations: Trends, Issues, Challenges and Solutions, Volume 1.New York: Idea Group Inc (IGI). McGroddy, J. (2004). A Review of the FBIs Trilogy Information Technology Modernization Program. London: National Academies Press. United States Department of Justice. (2010). Information Technology Strategic Plan FY 2010 – 2015. FBI. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/itb/information-technology-strategic-plan-fy-2010-2013-2015 Read More