The Department of Homeland Security’s Open Government Plan 2016 - 2018 builds upon the success of prior plans and focuses on how the tenets of Open Government support the DHS Mission. The Administration set the vision for Open Government in 2009 with President Obama’s Memo on Transparency in Government and the follow on Open Government Directive from the Office of Management and Budget. The President has prioritized making government more open and accountable, and has taken substantial steps to increase citizen participation, collaboration, and transparency in government.
At the inaugural Open Government Partnership meeting on September 20, 2011, President Obama reiterated his belief “that the strongest foundation for human progress lies in open economies, open societies, and in open governments.” The United States has worked both domestically and internationally to ensure global support for Open Government principles to promote transparency; fight corruption; energize civic engagement; and leverage new technologies in order to strengthen the foundations of freedom in our own nation and abroad.”
On July 14, 2016, the Open Government Directive (M-16-16) was issued, instructing executive departments and agencies to update current Open Government Plans and ensure specific actions are taken to incorporate the principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration. With contributions from senior policy, legal, and technology leadership, the Department has updated its current Open Government Plan to incorporate implementation plans for the new Open Innovation Methods, Scientific Data and Publications, Open Source Software, and Spending Information (DATA Act) initiatives. Additionally, updates to the Open Data, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and Public Participation have been provided.
Previous Open Government Plans
The prior version of the plan is provided for transparency purposes.