Accessing and managing multiple information systems, managing the inflows of data and obtaining funding for operations lead the way for problems with state fusion centers, but these are just growing pains.

On April 17, Jack Tomarchio, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis gave a testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration, "Focus on Fusion Centers: A Progress Report". This testimony coincided with the Government Accountability Office releasing its new report on Fusion Centers, "Federal Efforts Are Helping to Address Some Challenges Faced by State and Local Fusion Centers".

In Tomarchio's testimony, reported that DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis now has 23 officers deployed and serving in fusion centers The role of these officers, according to Tomarchio, is to provide their other federal, state, local, and tribal partners with the information and skills necessary to cull the best of what the fusion centers are collecting and analyzing and ensure that this information gets to the appropriate people. Tomarchio also reported that the Homeland Security Data Network (HSDN) is now deployed in 19 fusion centers. A further area of progress cited was streamlining of the clearance process to obtain federal information.

While Tomarchio was promoting the progress of Fusion Centers, the GAO report commented on the problems that the fusion centers still need to address. Forty-three fusion centers were operational as of September and another 15 are in development (For a detailed description of states fusion centers, please visit INPUT's State Intelligence Fusion Center Profiles. The centers are receiving federal assistance from the Homeland Security and Justice departments and from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Fusion center officials cited challenges accessing and managing multiple information systems as well as having a hard time managing the inflows of data. Officials in 30 of the 58 centers reported challenges related to volume of information or managing multiple systems, which limits the ability to receive and share information with those who need it. Other issues surrounding the fusion centers included: lack of training; available to meet specific missions; problems with obtaining and using security clearances, with hiring appropriate personnel; and with obtaining funding for operations.