Senate Approves DHS Bill to Build Agency-Wide Data Access System

The Senate approved a bill that would allow the Department of Homeland Security to put all component agency data into one system for easier access to information. 

The DHS Data Framework Act proposed by Texas Rep. Will Hurd backs the development of a single data framework that collects all data related to homeland security, terrorist information, weapons of mass destruction and national intelligence to support DHS operations, a statement from Hurd’s office said Friday. It added the system will reduce the need for multiple databases with different logins, passwords and legal restrictions.

“We live in an increasingly connected world and must be able to get the right information to the right people at the right time in order to keep terrorists on the run and off our shores. The DHS Data Framework Act does just that by allowing DHS to quickly and safely share sensitive information among law enforcement agencies without compromising our nation’s secrets,” Hurd said. 

The House has yet to approve the bill before it moves to President Trump to be signed into law.