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Privacy

The DHS Privacy Office is responsible for evaluating the Department programs, systems, and initiatives for potential privacy impacts, and providing strategies to reduce the privacy impact.

  • DHS/ALL/PIA-044 DHS Single Point of Service Request for Information Management Tool

    The Single Point of Service (SPS) refers to a joint effort between the Office of Operations Coordination (OPS), National Operations Center (NOC), and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to provide a centralized DHS Headquarters location to receive, facilitate, process, and, in some circumstances, respond to operational or intelligence related “Requests for Information” (RFI) that originate from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities. In order to perform this function, OPS and I&A employ the RFI Management Tool, which standardizes the process by which entities request operational or intelligence-related information. DHS is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because the RFI Management Tool collects, retains, and disseminates personally identifiable information (PII). DHS is updating and reissuing the SPS-RFI PIA, originally published in June 2013, in order to better identify the potential privacy risks and mitigations associated with the use of both an unclassified and an accredited classified instance of the application. The 2013 PIA only dealt with an unclassified instance of the application.

  • DHS/ALL/PIA-002 DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP)

    The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) is a customer service web-based initiative developed as a voluntary program to provide a one-stop mechanism for individuals to request redress, who make inquiries, or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs (such as airports and train stations), or crossing U.S. borders.  DHS TRIP provides traveler redress intake and processing support while working with relevant DHS components to review and respond to requests for redress. This privacy impact assessment (PIA) update is necessary because the documentation required to resolve a request is now based upon the nature of the traveler’s complaint, rather than the previous requirement of a traveler submitting “at least three” documents for all requests.

  • DHS Impact of Federal Budget Sequestration

    Records describing the impact of federal budget sequestration upon Department of Homeland Security operations and functions.

  • Centralized Area Video Surveillance System

    The Centralized Area Video Surveillance System (CAVSS) — a system of cameras and separate microphones recording video and audio, respectively— furthers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) mission by collecting and maintaining video images and audio recordings of persons involved in any incidents or disturbances related to DHS/CBP law enforcement at the border, including inspection areas, while seeking entry or admission into the United States. CAVSS uses information technology to collect, maintain, and disseminate personally identifiable information (PII) in the form of video and audio recordings.

  • Cybersecurity and Privacy

    DHS employs a layered approach to privacy oversight for the department’s cybersecurity activities, beginning with the Chief Privacy Officer and extending through NPPD’s Component Privacy Officer and dedicated privacy staff across the Department.

  • DHS/ICE/PIA-035 – Imaged Documents and Exemplars Library (IDEAL)

    DHS/ICE/PIA-035 – Imaged Documents and Exemplars Library (IDEAL) Privacy Impact Assessment

  • DHS/FEMA/PIA-028 Mapping Information Platform (MIP)

    DHS/FEMA/PIA-028 Privacy Impact Assessment for the Mapping Information Platform (MIP)

  • FOIA Processing

    In general, the FOIA requires an agency to respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days after the office that maintains the responsive records receives the request. The business day response requirement is not necessarily the time frame for releasing responsive documents.

    The Department processes its requests by date of receipt at the proper office maintaining the required records on a first-in, first-out basis, except for exceptions outlined in the FOIA and the Department of Homeland Security FOIA implementing regulations.

  • Office of General Counsel, FOIA Reading Room Documents

    Frequently requested Office of General Counsel FOIA Documents