Officials report Marianas Regional Fusion Center secure room descertified, cybersecurity grants stalled

Legislators heard on June 15 that Guams regional fusion center recently lost its secure‑room certification, complicating handling of classified or sensitive law-enforcement information and slowing use of cyber grant funds awarded in 2023.

"That room was descertified unbeknownst to us," Homeland Security Adviser Esther JC Agi told the committee, describing ongoing coordination with the fusion center director and federal inspection teams to determine the cause and to scope remedial work for reaccreditation. Agi said that, while the fusion center remains operational on day‑to‑day analytic tasks, it currently does not store classified material at the facility.

Agi also said cyber security grants awarded in 2023 remain largely unspent because projects have not yet been approved by the federal grants management team; two desk audits were completed but a government shutdown and subsequent backlog delayed project authorization and drawdown. The agency said it is working with CISA and FEMA grant managers to finalize project scopes so the funds may be used.

Fusion center work continues through analysts assigned from partner agencies, Agi said; those analysts salaries remain funded by their home agencies while the homeland security grant element intended for a fusion center director position awaits federal approval. Committee members asked for a written remediation plan and timetable for recertification and for confirmation of what information is and is not stored at the facility.

The hearing also covered related operational capabilities: officials reported that a DLAN ticketing process and emergency procurement procedures functioned during the recent typhoon response, and that asset/resource typing for supplies and equipment is maintained and was current as of the last major incident but may require updates for decommissioned items.

Senators asked for a scope of work and a plan to harden the secure room and requested a timeline for when cyber grants could be obligated and drawn down. Agi and fusion center leadership agreed to return the materials and to coordinate with federal partners to clear outstanding desk‑audit issues so project funds may be used.