Keep in mind that technology alone is not going to prevent terrorism. In fact, it is the easier part of the equation. The government has budgeted $50 billion for information technology in the 2003 federal budget, but it will not be . . .

Keep in mind that technology alone is not going to prevent terrorism. In fact, it is the easier part of the equation. The government has budgeted $50 billion for information technology in the 2003 federal budget, but it will not be well spent unless the turf battles, insular culture and lack of accountability cited in the recent Congressional hearings are eliminated. Don't expect instant results simply because a new mega-agency has been formed and some business processes automated. If the new department expects to make good on Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge's pledge to "put together all the pieces of the puzzle," and to improve response time, a clear mandate to share data as well as technology must be instilled and enforced within the culture.

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