DHS Major Information Systems (MIS)

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act of 1996 requires agencies to make an index of their major information systems and descriptions of those systems. OMB Circular A-130 defines “major information system” as “an information system that requires special management attention because of its importance to an agency mission; its high development, operating, or maintenance costs; or its significant role in the administration of agency programs, finances, property, or other resources.” DHS has evaluated this definition and have determined that this definition is synonymous with the definition for a ‘high-value asset” as defined in OMB Guidance, particularly OMB M-19-03. In addition, DHS evaluated and identified DHS systems that have “high development, operating, or maintenance costs” that are not classified as high-value assets. DHS identified systems that have a cost of over $10 million as being “high” for purposes of the major information system definition in OMB guidance. 

The Department of Homeland Security’s Major Information Systems are listed by system name in the list available by the links below. DHS systems, excluding U.S. Coast Guard systems, are divided into four lists – broken down into systems that are classified as “high value assets” and systems that have “high development, operating, or maintenance costs,” and further broken down into whether they contain personally identifiable information (PII) or not. For those systems that contain PII, the system listed is associated with and further described, in a DHS Privacy Impact Assessment and/or DHS or Government-Wide System of Records Notice. For those systems that do not contain PII, a description of the system is provided. You’ll find those four lists broken down separately below, but please find a consolidated list, excluding the Coast Guard, on our Major Information System List webpage. In addition, you’ll find on this webpage the Major Information System list for the U.S. Coast Guard, utilizing the same methodology described above for the rest of the Department. However, a separate list has been created given the U.S. Coast Guard’s information technology connectivity with the Department of Defense. 

NOTICE: DHS strives to provide equal access to information and data to people with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Not all of the documents on this page are fully Section 508 compliant. If you have problems with any of the documents on this page and need assistance, please contact the FOIA Office at 202-343-1743.