DHS set to reorganize emergency communications offices

The Homeland Security Department will reorganize emergency communications offices into the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, a DHS official told a skeptical Sept. 13 House panel.

The center will integrate "the operations capacities of all of the component parts of the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, including those that are currently in the National Communications System," said Bobbie Stempfley, deputy assistant secretary within the Office Of Cybersecurity and Communications, which is part of the National Protection and Programs Directorate.

She testified before the House Homeland Security subcommittee on emergency preparedness, response, and communications. "A lot of people are concerned about this," said subcommittee chairman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.).

Stempfley said the reorganization shouldn't be termed a "merger,"  since "we're looking to ensure that we can bring the best parts of the national communications system efforts that actually expand on what OEC can do into that."

For more:
- go to the hearing webpage (prepared testimonies and webcast available)

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