Information sharing is a prerequisite to counterterrorism.

The Intelligence and Information Sharing capability involves the effective implementation of the intelligence cycle and information integration process by local, state, tribal, territorial, and Federal intelligence entities, the private sector, the public, and international partners, as appropriate, to develop situational awareness on the actor(s), method(s), means, weapon(s), or target(s) related to an imminent terrorist threat within the United States. Incidents over the last decade have demonstrated that the ability to responsibly share information is a prerequisite for preventing terrorist threats to our homeland. No single agency, department, or level of government can independently complete a threat picture of all terrorism and national security threats. With this in mind, the Intelligence and Information Sharing capability involves engagement across local, state, tribal, territorial, Federal, private sector, faith-based organizations, and international partners to facilitate the collection, analysis, and sharing of suspicious activity reports to further support the identification and prevention of terrorist threats; enhance situational awareness of threats, alerts, and warnings; and develop and disseminate risk assessments and analysis of national intelligence to local, state, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners, and across mission areas as appropriate. This capability relies on intelligence and information sharing and analysis from the FBI and DHS field and headquarters elements; state and major urban area fusion centers; and the intelligence community during times of imminent terrorist threat and in accordance with existing laws, directives, and policies. Terrorist-related threat information collected domestically should be shared comprehensively and immediately to FBI JTTFs and other federal entities through the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI). Terrorism-related information should also be shared promptly with the ODNI National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), DHS, the Terrorist Screening Center (TSC), and other federal agencies as authorized by law. It involves the reprioritization and redirection of law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security assets, as necessary and appropriate. Amplifying information will also be obtained via law enforcement operations. Together, these efforts inform local policing and enable partners at all levels of government, the private sector, and the public to implement the most effective protective and preventive measures. Finally, the Intelligence and Information Sharing capability recognizes that efforts to identify counterterrorist threats will require ongoing coordination between the aforementioned efforts and other analytic and investigative efforts. This will also include coordination with the international community, as necessary.