GeoPlatform.gov

GeoData and GeoProducts

This section of the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) Geospatial Concept of Operations (GeoCONOPS) is intended to assist the community with searching, discovering, acquiring, and exploiting geospatial information and products to support Homeland Security/Defense missions and National Preparedness (Prevent, Protect, Mitigate, Response, and Recover).

• Geospatial Information– The term geospatial information means graphical or digital data depicting natural or manmade physical features, phenomena, or boundaries of the earth and any information related thereto, including surveys, maps, charts, remote sensing data, and images “Public Law 108-458, 17DEC04”.
• Geospatial Products - Geospatial products are created to aid Homeland Security Missions and Support National Preparedness; and can be generally categorized into the following two broad categories:
  • Standard Products: Products that conform to a well-established format or business process such as reports, maps, imagery, derived products, and vector information. These products can be one, or many layers of geographic data (i.e. vegetation, weather, and critical infrastructure), remote sensing data, map backgrounds, and/or intelligence information to aid in decision making and mission planning, rehearsal, and execution.
  • Specialized Products: Specialized products provide the same level of value, but are created using less formal formats and business processes. These products are usually tailored for a specific use and typically are shared as PDF, PowerPoint, and/or image files (.jpgs, .tif, etc). There are multiple agencies and organizations across all levels of government that produce, collect, or acquire geospatial information to support their mission requirements. Often times, geospatial information can be shared and utilized by other partners. To promote the re-use of existing geospatial information, this section of the HSE GeoCONOPS provides information on accessing existing geospatial information/products by Category, Agency, and Keyword.