§126 Department of Homeland Security Data Framework

Summary

The Secretary of Homeland Security must create a data framework to link and share existing DHS datasets and systems so authorized staff can access needed information while following laws and protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. The framework must include all DHS information that fits within the federal information-sharing rules (like homeland security, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and national intelligence) and any other information needed for priority homeland security missions. Only DHS employees who have the right security clearance, a work need to access the data, and training in how to protect and use it may get access. The Secretary must issue rules for who can use and add data, require offices to share when needed, and set data standards so information is provided in machine-readable form when practical. The Secretary may leave out information if putting it in the framework would risk sources or methods, harm a criminal or national security investigation, conflict with other laws, or be duplicate or not useful. The framework must include auditing and security tools, ways to detect insider threats and risks, and safeguards for privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. The Secretary must ensure the framework can include appropriate DHS information no later than 2 years after December 19, 2018. The Secretary must give regular updates to the appropriate congressional committees until the framework is fully operational, notify those committees within 60 days after it becomes fully operational, and brief Congress yearly on how components use the framework to support operations that disrupt terrorist activities and incidents in the homeland. Definitions (one line each): Appropriate congressional committee and homeland — meanings given in another part of the law. Homeland security information — defined elsewhere in the law. National intelligence — defined in 50 U.S.C. 3003(5). Terrorism information — defined elsewhere in the law.