Homeland Security to Replace Anti-Terrorism Network

The Department of Homeland Security has decided to replace a network for sharing sensitive anti-terrorism information with state and local governments after spending more than $90 million on it, reports The Washington Post.

In a memorandum, DHS Undersecretary for Management Paul A. Schneider said the counterterrorism, immigration-enforcement and disaster-management missions of the Homeland Security Information Network were hampered by the proliferation of more than 100 Web portals that provide poorly coordinated information.

The Web-based system for sensitive, but unclassified, information includes chat and instant messaging, as well as reports of suspicious activity and analysis of terrorist threats.

The Government Accountability Office has labeled the system a "high-risk area" for the past two years.

Department spokesman Russ Knocke told the Post that replacing the system was akin to Microsoft issuing an updated version of its software.