The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) is improving its process for collecting, managing, and protecting open source intelligence (OSINT) for operations and intelligence. We acknowledge I&A’s recent efforts to address known challenges related to insufficient guidance and technology, but additional process improvements are needed to ensure intelligence reporting is effective. Additionally, stakeholder feedback indicated further improvements are needed to issue open source intelligence reports in a timely manner.

We attributed these challenges to insufficient policies and procedures to guide staff in their daily work, inadequate internal controls and training to promote adherence to standards and requirements, and reliance on an outdated and unreliable information technology system to create and disseminate reports. During our fieldwork, I&A began to resolve some of these challenges by drafting new policies, revising training, and upgrading its technology.

To accomplish its core mission of identifying and mitigating threats to the Nation, I&A must produce intelligence reports that are relevant, timely, and in line with evolving threats. The deficiencies identified by I&A and confirmed through this audit hinder I&A’s ability to effectively inform decision makers about potential threats

Read Report No. OIG-22-50

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
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