9.3: Use of Innovative Technology

Identify and plan for the use of new technologies as opportunities arise for alignment with mission objectives and open government activities.

Other Information:

The Department is actively engaged in identifying and planning for the use of new technologies as opportunities arise for alignment with mission objectives and open government activities. An example of the use of new technology includes the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) Technology Solutions and Services Division (TSSD), which recently completed an evaluation, pilot, and subsequent acquisition of a webinar service. Webinars present a time-efficient and cost-effective way to facilitate online communication between a small number of presenters and a remote audience of up to 1,000 participants. Two of the technology’s key capabilities are presentations and training sessions. Presenters display information on their computer screen, which then becomes visible to all participants. The webinar software enables interaction between the presenter and the audience and allows the presenter to control the participants’ verbal commentary either via the keyboard or audio connection. Audio connectivity is available via landline telephone conferencing or via Internet phone connectivity. In order to support this new service, TSSD has appointed a webinar coordinator within FinCEN to work with employees requesting a webinar. FinCEN has already begun conducting webinars, and will continue to seek innovative ways to use this technology. FinCEN officials have conducted webinars for training remote law enforcement users on the use of WebCBRS, the online system through which law enforcement accesses Bank Secrecy Act data. TSSD staff are currently working with FinCEN’s Office of Training to develop webinar-based training. The Department currently has seven Terms of Service Agreements approved by the Treasury Chief Information Officer. During the height of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act activities, the Internal Revenue Service implemented (http://www.youtube.com/user/irsvideos) to provide the public current information on tax credits. The site is available in American Sign Language and Spanish. The Treas.Gov site has Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr capabilities. The Department is exploring increase use of webcasts, web conferencing and meetings, and redesigning our current Home Page for the public and employees. An example of the use of these technologies at the Department occurred on Monday, March 21, 2010. The Department partnered with the White House Council on Women and Girls to host a Women in Finance Symposium at the Department. Employees and a number of university students were able to watch the event via webcast which featured distinguished women in the financial arena.

Stakeholder(s):

• Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): Technology Solutions and Services Division (TSSD)


• Treasury Chief Information Officer


• White House Council on Women and Girls

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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