Maritime agencies to collaborate on policies to streamline government

[I]MARITIME AGENCIES TO COLLABORATE ON POLICIES TO STREAMLINE GOVERNMENT

When it comes to streamlining government, policy lags behind technology - far behind.

In an upcoming series of workshops, several of the agencies that manage America’s maritime affairs will collaborate on recommending interagency policies that enable government agencies to share more information to reach the full potential of digital connectivity.

The first Transforming Interagency Information Sharing workshop kicks off June 17 at U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C.

A wide range of agencies collect maritime data to address issues from environmental protection, supply chain security, and the threat of sea-borne terrorism, to the safety of mariners and boaters, predicting and responding to natural disasters, and safeguarding the critical infrastructure that enables a global economy. However, no single agency can compile all the data it requires to monitor the maritime environment, and agencies often find it easier to send redundant queries to outside sources than to pass information among themselves. By transforming policy to improve information sharing, these agencies can put the full range of data collected by the government at the fingertips of every agency that needs it while ensuring compliance with the statutes and regulations that protect privacy and civil liberties.

The Transforming Interagency Information Sharing workshops are organized by the Office of Global Maritime Situational Awareness, a multi-agency office responsible for developing shared access to interagency and international information to improve awareness of maritime factors that could impact the safety, security, economy and environment of the United States.

More information about the workshop is at www.gmsa.gov/transform.
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