DHS Has Made Progress in Fulfilling Geospatial Data Act Responsibilities, But Additional Work is Needed

Date Issued

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Submitting OIG

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Homeland Security

Report Number

OIG-23-07

Report Description

Since our 2020 audit, the Department of Homeland Security has made progress towards fulfilling the 13 responsibilities in the GDA.

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
We recommend the DHS Chief Information Officer develop and execute a separate plan for implementing DHS’ geospatial data strategy or ensure the implementation plan developed for the Department’s Evidence-Based Data Strategy fully considers geospatial data and is consistent with the Geospatial Data Act of 2018.
2	No	$0	$0
We recommend the DHS Chief Information Officer pursue a legislative approach, concurrent with existing administrative efforts, for determining how DHS handles, secures, and shares sensitive-but unclassified geospatial data. As appropriate, the effort should be conducted in coordination with internal DHS stakeholders and in combination with any similar efforts undertaken by other agencies.
4	No	$0	$0
We recommend the DHS Chief Information Officer confirm that all the platforms on which DHS shares geospatial data are following appropriate geospatial metadata standards.