GA Information Sharing Analysis Center

The Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) is one of 79 U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognized fusion centers in the United States. Serving as the primary repository for counterterrorism and criminal intelligence information in the state, GISAC formed in October 2001 to enhance information and intelligence sharing between local, state, and federal agencies. The diverse team of analysts and agents, along with expertise through public and private sector partnerships, transforms the flow of raw information into an actionable intelligence picture. GISAC distributes bulletins, threat assessments, and other relevant intelligence products to law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, and private sector partners throughout Georgia.

ORIGIN
On October 24, 2001, the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) was created simultaneously with the Georgia Homeland Security Task Force and the appointment of the state's Homeland Security Coordinator. On August 12, 2010 an executive order merged the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Criminal Intelligence unit into GISAC to form Georgia's current all-crimes intelligence fusion center under the director of GBI.

MISSION
The mission of GISAC is two-fold: to provide investigative support to law enforcement in Georgia for criminal activity and to dedicate resources to the protection of Georgia's citizens against the threat of terrorism.

GISAC facilitates connectivity between local, state, and federal agencies in Georgia. The purpose is to share resources and information in a way that enhances the capacity to identify, detect, mitigate, prevent and respond to criminal activity. GISAC does not replace or duplicate the counter-terrorism functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); rather, GISAC's efforts to collect information from state and local sources ensures greater availability and integration of information from those sources. GISAC enhances lead development and improves the analysis of existing information by identifying state-wide trends and intelligence gaps. GISAC also ensures other state and local agencies receive bulletins and assessments produced by federal agencies that are relevant to their areas of responsibility.

COMPOSITION
GISAC is composed of personnel representing the following agencies and organizations:

· Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
· Georgia Emergency Management Agency / Homeland Security (GEMA/HS)
· Georgia Department of Public Safety / Georgia State Patrol (GSP)
· Georgia Sheriff’s Association (GSA)
· Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP)
· Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC)
· Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)
· Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH)
· Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS)
· Georgia Technology Authority (GTA)
· Georgia Government of Human Services (DHS)
· U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
· U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
· Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

COLLABORATION

GISAC works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement, public safety and homeland security agencies as well as private sector organizations. Connectivity with these agencies is at the core of GISAC's ability to analyze, correlate, validate, and disseminate critical intelligence. GISAC is committed to developing partnerships in both the public and private sectors in order to establish a comprehensive action plan to detect, deter, and defend Georgia against potential acts of terrorism.

· Atlanta Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)
· Georgia Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF)
· The Georgia Terrorism Intelligence Project (GTIP)
· Southern Shield
· U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

GISAC also partners with the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) to enhance cyber security initiatives throughout the state. Noting that many critical infrastructures are connected via cyberspace, GISAC works to prioritize cyber security in Georgia by providing special reporting and situational awareness to state leadership. Producing written intelligence products and identifying which audiences should receive them has strengthened and developed relationships with our cyber partners in the private sector, state agencies, local law enforcement and federal agencies. GISAC promotes confidential and secure paths for information sharing to address dynamic threats in cyberspace.

Private Sector
In addition to working with law enforcement agencies throughout the state, GISAC coordinates with private sector organizations, a critical component of the development of actionable intelligence. Agencies and corporations in the private sector oversee the majority of Georgia's critical infrastructure and interact with the public on a daily basis. These corporations provide valuable information to GISAC, including reports of suspicious incidents at their facilities that might otherwise go unreported to law enforcement. By establishing direct communication with companies and specific facilities, GISAC is able to gather, analyze and share information in a timely fashion.

Privacy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
GISAC is committed to protecting the privacy, civil rights and civil liberties of the citizens of Georgia and the United States.  GISAC operates in accordance with the GBI Privacy Policy .  In 2010, the GBI Privacy Policy was approved by the Privacy Office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and determined to be at least as comprehensive as the Information Sharing Environment (ISE) Privacy Guidelines.  The Privacy Policy was one of the first ten privacy policies approved by DHS.    

The GBI has a Privacy Officer who is responsible for receiving and responding to inquiries and complaints about privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections.  If you have a complaint, you may contact the GBI Privacy Officer:

For Additional Information, review the following:

• Privacy Policy
• Privacy, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Training
• Suspicious Activity Training

Additional GISAC Services & Functions
GISAC facilitates a number of additional resources and programs critical to Georgia law enforcement.
Georgia's Emergency Alerts Systems are currently coordinated by GISAC.  These alerts include:

• Levi's Call - Georgia's AMBER Alert for confirmed abductions of children under the age of 17.
• Mattie's Call - Georgia's alert for missing persons who are cognitively impaired.
• Kimberly's Call - Georgia's alert for information pertaining to suspects identified as having committed a murder or rape.
• Blue Alert - Georgia's alert for information pertaining to an officer who has been killed/injured in the line of duty or is missing in the line of duty.

GISAC coordinates the alert systems by providing guidance for activation or denial of the alerts. Requests for activation or inquiries about of any of the above alerts should be made through the GBI Communications Center. Activation criteria for each alert can be found on the GBI homepage at: http://www.gbi.georgia.gov.
These alerts are published to the web and Twitter by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters at http://www.alertnewsnet.org/.

Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
GISAC is also the facilitator of the Child Abduction Response Team (CART). CART is a team of individuals from various state agencies who are trained and prepared to respond to a missing/endangered or abducted child. CART pulls together resources to aid in the search and rescue effort and to assist the agency of jurisdiction in its investigation. Many agencies have never encountered an incident of child abduction and most officers have never investigated a similar crime. One single agency will not have all the necessary resources, and with no plan in place, accessing resources could take valuable time. The Georgia CART creates a mutual aid resource inventory and allows for the rapid and organized response required in missing children investigations. Agencies participating in the CART include:

· Georgia Bureau of Investigation
· Georgia State Patrol
· Georgia Department of Natural Resources
· Georgia Emergency Management Agency
· Georgia Department of Corrections
· Georgia Department of Human Resources
· Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
· Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles
· Georgia Department of Transportation

Georgia's Missing Children's Center
In addition to its coordinating role in CART, GISAC also houses Georgia's Missing Children's Center, the central repository of information regarding missing children in the state. GISAC personnel regularly act as a liaison between private citizens and law enforcement agencies regarding appropriate procedures for handling and responding to missing children reports. Analysts also assist local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of missing children and unidentified remains cases.

Sexual Offender Registration Review Board
As of July 01, 2012, the GBI will assume control of the Investigative component of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board (SORRB) which will also become a part of GISAC. The Investigative component of the SORRB collects data associated with sex offenders and their criminal cases to provide to review board members as a component for their overall evaluation and classification of sex offenders.

Report Threats

If You See Something, Say Something ™

In July 2010, the Department of Homeland Security launched "If You See Something, Say Something,"™ a national public awareness campaign to encourage citizens to report suspicious activity. There are two ways to report suspicious activity:

Contact your local law enforcement agency by dialing 911 or
Report suspicious activity to GISAC using this link: Report Threats

If it is an emergency, dial 911 immediately. You should also alert authorities if you notice any suspicious behavior as described on this link: If Yo​u See Something, Say Something​.

See Something, Send Something

See Something, Send Something: Digital reporting app now available in Georgia.

See Something, Send Something is a smartphone app that directs citizen concerns to local law enforcement. See Something, Send Something operates nationwide, allowing citizens to report suspicious activity and join in the fight against terrorism and criminal activity.

Additional Information