Homeland Security:
Management and Programmatic Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security
GAO-07-398T: Published: Feb 6, 2007. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2007.
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Full Report:
- Accessible Text:
Contact:
(202) 512-3000
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a key role in leading and coordinating--with stakeholders in the federal, state, local, and private sectors--the nation's homeland security efforts. GAO has conducted numerous reviews of DHS management functions as well as programs including transportation and border security, immigration enforcement and service delivery, and disaster preparation and response. This testimony addresses why GAO designated DHS's implementation and transformation as a high-risk area, management challenges facing DHS, programmatic challenges facing DHS, and actions DHS should take to strengthen its implementation and transformation efforts.
GAO designated implementing and transforming DHS as high risk in 2003 because DHS had to transform 22 agencies--several with existing program and management challenges--into one department, and failure to effectively address its challenges could have serious consequences for our homeland security. Despite some progress, this transformation remains high risk. Managing the transformation of an organization of the size and complexity of DHS requires comprehensive planning and integration of key management functions. DHS has made some progress in these areas, but much additional work is required to help ensure success. While DHS has developed a strategic plan, the plan does not link resource requirements to goals and objectives, and its creation did not involve key stakeholders to ensure resource investments target the highest priorities. DHS has also issued guidance and plans to assist management integration on a function by function basis, but lacks a comprehensive management integration strategy with overall goals, a timeline, and a dedicated team to support its integration efforts. The latest independent audit of DHS's financial statements revealed 10 material internal control weaknesses and confirmed that DHS's financial management systems still do not conform to federal requirements. DHS has also not institutionalized an effective strategic framework for information management, and its human capital--the centerpiece of its transformation efforts--and acquisition systems will require continued attention to ensure that DHS allocates its resources efficiently and effectively. Since GAO's January 2005 high-risk update, DHS has taken actions to strengthen program activities. However, DHS continues to face programmatic and partnering challenges. To help ensure that its missions are achieved, DHS must overcome continued challenges related to cargo, transportation, and border security; systematic visitor tracking; efforts to combat the employment of illegal aliens; and outdated Coast Guard asset capabilities. Further, DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency need to continue to develop clearly defined leadership roles and responsibilities; necessary disaster response capabilities; accountability systems to provide effective services while protecting against waste, fraud, and abuse; and the ability to conduct advanced contracting for goods and services necessary for emergency response. DHS has not produced a final corrective action plan specifying how it will address its existing management challenges. Such a plan should define the root causes of known problems, identify effective solutions, have management support, and provide for substantially completing corrective measures in the near term. It should also include performance metrics and milestones, as well as mechanisms to monitor progress. It will also be important for DHS to become more transparent and minimize recurring delays in providing access to information on its programs and operations so that Congress, GAO, and others can independently assess its efforts.
Jan 21, 2021
-
Chemical Security:
Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security GapsGAO-21-12: Published: Jan 21, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 21, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
-
DHS Annual Assessment:
Most Acquisition Programs Are Meeting Goals but Data Provided to Congress Lacks Context Needed For Effective OversightGAO-21-175: Published: Jan 19, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Dec 16, 2020
-
Coast Guard:
Actions Needed to Improve National Vessel Documentation Center OperationsGAO-21-100: Published: Dec 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2020.
Nov 23, 2020
-
Southwest Border:
Information on Federal Agencies' Process for Acquiring Private Land for BarriersGAO-21-114: Published: Nov 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 23, 2020.
Nov 12, 2020
-
Coast Guard Acquisitions:
Opportunities Exist to Reduce Risk for the Offshore Patrol Cutter ProgramGAO-21-9: Published: Oct 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 12, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
-
TSA Acquisitions:
TSA Needs to Establish Metrics and Evaluate Third Party Testing Outcomes for Screening TechnologiesGAO-21-50: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Oct 20, 2020
-
Homeland Security Acquisitions:
DHS Has Opportunities to Improve Its Component Acquisition OversightGAO-21-77: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 20, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
-
Disaster Assistance:
Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen FEMA's Individuals and Households ProgramGAO-20-503: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020. -
Supplemental Material for GAO-20-503:
FEMA Individuals and Households Program Applicant Data 2016 – 2018GAO-20-675SP: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020. -
Supplemental Material for GAO-20-503:
Select Disaster Profiles for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program 2016-2018GAO-20-674SP: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here