Fusion Center Leaders Program (FCLP)

The Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security offers a Fusion Center Leaders Program (FCLP) built upon guidance from state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners, and federal interagency partners, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). This graduate level program examines key questions and issues facing fusion center leaders and their role in homeland security, public safety, and the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). The program is designed to enhance critical thinking related to homeland security and public safety intelligence issues at the Federal and SLTT levels of government, and in the private sector.

Objectives

Fusion center leaders will examine the issues related to directing a multi-agency fusion center operation. The objectives of the program are to:

• Examine roles and missions of fusion centers and their multiple customer sets;
• Discuss leadership challenges of a complex, multiagency operation involving state, local, tribal, territorial, federal, and private sector entities;
• Consider management of the intelligence cycle as a tool for integrating analysis, production, information sharing, and enhancing cooperation and collaboration;
• Assess opportunities and challenges of fusion center operations, including the understanding of emerging and evolving policy and strategic issues;
• Analyze the importance of an integrated enterprise in support of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE); and
• Develop an understanding of the critical nature of privacy and civil liberties issues/policies.

Program Structure and Curriculum

The program is conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security campus in Monterey, California.

• FCLP is a five-day intensive program designed for leadership from the recognized state and major urban area fusion centers
• The program is set up in an executive education format, utilizing both online learning and facilitated discussion.
• Topics include strategy, policy and organizational design, covering intelligence analysis, leadership, production and dissemination of information.
• Program sessions (cohorts) consist of 25 participants from fusion centers around the country.

Future course schedules and dates will be announced when they are confirmed.