Government Agencies work to Improve Synergy
CitySpur Local News has reported that U.S. governmental agencies dealing with information necessary to protect the nation from terrorist activities, violent crime and other threats will in the future adapt to improved synergies and increased transparency when dealing with “Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) information.” According to governmental officials, SBU refers collectively to the various designations used within the Executive Branch for documents and information that are sufficiently sensitive to warrant some level of protection but that do not meet the standards for classification. In a joint statement releasing the 50 page report today, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder announced two major steps in their efforts to implement reforms to enhance information sharing among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies and safeguard sensitive information used by the government. The joint statement stressed, “The recommendations also enhance government transparency by establishing clear rules that protect information only when there is a compelling need to do so.” “Our review of policies and procedures for access to and sharing of sensitive but unclassified information across the U.S. Government revealed a need for a more open, standardized approach,” said Secretary Napolitano.