The Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) is the official platform for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to safely share Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) information. The complex and integrated digital community provides a collaborative workspace for interagency communication and cooperation.
HSIN is a multifaceted network of federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, international and private sector (FSLTTIP) stakeholders. HSIN enables access to Homeland Security data; allows for secure distribution of requests between agencies; and provides the ability to manage operations, coordinate planned event safety and security, respond to incidents, and share the information needed to fulfill mission responses to keep communities safe from impending threats.
Since HSIN’s inception, tens of thousands of users across federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, international, and private sector agencies have made HSIN a part of daily operations, planned events and exercises, incident response, and emergency management in the protection of the homeland.
Across many mission areas, HSIN supports:
- Daily operations, such as those at the National Operations Center
- Planned events, including events like the Super Bowl and F1 Racing Series
- Incident response, such as the Maui Wildfires and Hurricane Helene
In 2024, HSIN marked its 20th anniversary. Today, HSIN continues to serve its partners and stakeholders faithfully, helping them achieve mission success. New people, new processes, and new tools are infusing HSIN every day with new ideas and possibilities.
Learn more by reading the annual reports, fact sheets, and case studies.
- Event and Incident Management
- Operations Support
- Web Conferencing (HSIN Connect)
- Comprehensive Training
- Requests for Information (HSIN Exchange)
- Learning Management System (HSIN Learn)
- Alerts and Notifications
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) Services
- HSIN Communities of Interest (COIs)
For more information about HSIN's features and capabilities, read our HSIN Features fact sheet.
HSIN Communities of Interest (COIs) are self-selecting, self-governing, secure, web-based sites tailored to meet the information sharing and operational needs of Homeland Security partners. These sites comprise community members (HSIN users) working within a particular mission area and cover a variety of missions such as emergency management, law enforcement, cybersecurity, intelligence, defense, border security, and more.
Example: LA SAFE COI
In Louisiana, HSIN helps law enforcement agencies catalog and track gang activity across jurisdictional boundaries. The State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) works with law enforcement agencies across the state to share detailed information about gangs and gang members. HSIN allows sworn members of law enforcement in this community to access this information when and where they need it.
Governance is the set of rules and regulations based on DHS policies that guide HSIN operations and activities. HSIN Governance determines the rules of engagement among all HSIN stakeholders and communities, which lays the foundation for a safe and professional community that engages all users.
Governance Documentation
The following governance documents address HSIN users, HSIN Communities of Interest (COI), and privacy compliance.
HSIN Terms of Service
- Provides a statement of rights, duties and privileges of all registered HSIN users and communities
- Describes general terms and conditions, user specific terms and conditions, COI sponsor specific terms and conditions, HSIN applications, and HSIN specific terms and conditions
- HSIN Terms of Service (TOS) Note: Last Updated July 2017
Privacy Threshold Analysis (PTA)
- Describes what PII is collected, who is collecting the information, and how that information is used
- Serves as the official determination as to whether the system, program, technology, form, or rulemaking involves the collection and use of PII
- Requires additional privacy compliance documentation
Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)
- Informs the public about privacy issues DHS identified and the privacy protections built to address impacts to an individual’s privacy
- Ensures conformance with applicable legal, regulatory, and policy requirements for privacy
- Determines the risks and effects
- Evaluates protections and alternative processes to mitigate potential privacy risks
System of Record Notice (SORN)
- Required by Privacy Act when PII is maintained by a federal agency in a system of records and the PII is retrieved by a personal identifier
- Published in the Federal Register
- Notifies the public of the use of PII in a federal system
Governance Supporting Documentation
HSIN Community of Interest (COI) Model Charter
- Ensures there is consistent form and content in the governance of COIs across HSIN
- Required under the HSIN Terms of Service
- Establishes the authority, scope, mission and goals, roles, responsibilities and functions of a COI
- The Community of Interest (COI) charter is a sample template for communities to use as the foundation of their community within the HSIN. The Charter ensure the consistent and transparency of use within the program. The charter explains the members’ rights, duties, roles, responsibilities, and privileges of a HSIN community to its members. All communities must adopt a charter for the community to become fully operational.
- HSIN Community of Interest Model Charter (COI)
The video features several HSIN users and advocates from different areas of operation across the nation, highlighting the benefits of HSIN and the impact the system has had in connecting federal, state, local, tribal and territorial partners.
This video gives an overview of the many benefits and capabilities HSIN provides to the Homeland Security Enterprise. The video features several HSIN users and advocates from different areas of operation across the nation, highlighting the flexibility of HSIN and the impact the system has on a variety of operational scenarios.
For general information, contact the HSIN Outreach Team via email at HSIN@hq.dhs.gov.
If you are experiencing problems with your HSIN account, contact the HSIN Help Desk at 866-430-0162 or via email at HSIN.HelpDesk@hq.dhs.gov.