SMART Port Security

Physical security can be very complex, as the evolution of technology changes on a daily basis. The dual role concept is a dilemma that poses a constant struggle within the agency. The ability to maintain consistency with technological advancements utilizing physical security practices of the past is a significant challenge that FPS faces. Another area of concern is the complexity of security and the deficiency of training. Advancements in technology necessitate training advancements. From the initial understanding of basic alarm theory covering the simplistic concept and design of an intrusion detection system (IDS), to a system that is virtually state of the art in capability and technical

Intelligence and Warning is Border and Transportation Security is responsible for protecting America's borders, territorial waters, and transportation systems by centralizing information-sharing and databases that track and monitor all aspects of border control and America's transportation systems. Domestic Counterterrorism covers a wide variety of activities, ranging from National Security Agency monitoring of telephone conversations to local police monitoring of persons of interest. Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets identifies a clear set of national goals and objectives and outlines the guiding principles that will underpin our efforts to secure the infrastructures and assets vital to our national security, governance, public health and safety, economy, and public confidence. Defending against Catastrophic Threats reduces vulnerability of the United States to terrorism. Emergency Preparedness and Response will create one emergency response plan to be used at all levels of government and will ensure that first-responders, from the federal government level down to local levels, receive proper training and equipment.

The basic purpose of the Act was to control all the ongoing activities of every single port of United States to ensure the safety of United States from the threats of terrorist activities. President Bush signed the Act on 13 October 2006.

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) created RAMP in response to terrorist events. The goal of RAMP was to provide FPS with the capability to assess risks at federal facilities based on threat, vulnerability, and consequence, and track countermeasures to mitigate those risks; and improve the agency’s ability to monitor and verify that its contract security guards are trained and certified to be deployed to federal facilities (Goldstein, 2011). RAMP’s current status is chaotic. It is behind schedule and over budget. RAMP is over budget because the original system requirements changed and additional resources had to be added to accommodate the new requirements. RAMP is behind schedule due to development and implementation

An obstacle that arises in securing ships and ports is that of travelling to foreign ports. Security professionals are are encouraging the United States government to extend U.S. boundaries to foreign ports, which would put much emphasis on security at loading points (70). The fear is that attackers will board a ship at a foreign port and sail to American soil where they could practice terrorism. A way that shipping security has changed is that of the plan of the Container Security Initiative (CSI), which calls for international security criteria to identify high-risk cargo containers for pre-screening at their point of shipment (70). The Coast Guard has also increased patrols in the U.S. ports and waterways, specifically around the nation’s critical petro-chemical facilities (71). By 2004, The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code took effect requiring ship operators to develop security plans, appoint ship and company security officers and maintain a minimum level of on board security, while port officers are required to develop similar plans and hire a port facility security officer (71). This code made it mandatory for all ships to be secure both while still in ports and also while travelling. Not only does this protect passengers aboard the ship, but also citizens of the United States as threats cannot enter the country through shipping

The protection of Americans from terrorist attacks since the inception of Beirut incidence has been the priority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS has come up with several strategies for responding to an emergency situation in case of terrorist attack. Due to the problem of weapons of destruction failing to be detected at entry points, the department has launched detection at port of entry. Detection helps to locate imminent threats that could arise from radiation substances being transported in containers at the ports, as well as ports arriving in US. The strategy reduces the risk of explosives and other weapons that terrorist can use to plan attacks. United States has also established fusion centers where are highly trained

To improve our readiness to combat and battle these threats. In Seattle,there are secure fiber networks being put together to interlink the government and emergency operations. Not only Seattle but many other cities and countries have invested local funds in creating new 911 centers and emergency operation ceters. Worried about these attacks and threats the United States have “hardened” the control networks that manage electricity and water grids. The entire field of cyber security and information technology has a new way of confronting not only terrorist threats but all of the ongoing issues created by hackers and identity thieves. Knowing if America is safer now than in 2001, especially since Bin Laden's death ,the United States will not know. But in not knowing, where, how, or when a threat could be more than just that the United States has become more vigilant and more prepared (Proud To

Transportation security today has evolved into a proactive process rather than a reactive response to threats, or failed attempts involving skyjacking. “The only recorded

In this research paper, I am going to discuss the plan that the Department of Homeland Security has set forth for the years of 2012-2016. This plan outlines the entire vision of the department to essentially accomplish their missions and goals. The plan consists of missions varying from border security to cyber security. We must not forget the men and women on the front line working hard to ultimately secure and provide safety for the United States of America.

Marine patrol policing has been around for many years patrolling the waterways, it is one of the oldest patrol strategies (Ortmeier 2006, p233). The men and women that protect the rivers, lakes, canals and harbors may go by boat unit, water police, river police, maritime police and the United States Coast Guard. Just as one might see local and state police patrolling the streets and highways the waterways need policing also. They provide access to many ports and inlets that could be used for illegal activity. Some of this illegal activity can range from weapons and drug smuggling to human trafficking. Some of the functions and responsibilities of the Marine Patrol Units include enforcement of boating laws, investigation of boating accidents, drownings, commercial vessel inspections, protection of vital assets and

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a secure effective way to securely managed access to our nations ports and transportation facilities. Not only are background checks run on all personnel applying for TWIC, but biometric information for each application is also collected. Anyone without a TWIC cannot access port and transportation since they are not authorized without a TWIC. However, the TWIC program has been flagged by the federal government for its many flaws. One of the many flaws of the program is the chip, much like the chip inside of DoD CAC cards it supposed to be read when inserted into a TWIC card reader. Furthermore, there has been delays on getting cards out to transportation workers once application

The 9/11 incident crippled the American economy and its impact is still felt at present times. Following this tragedy, a commission was initiated by President George W. Bush and the congress to investigate the reasons behind the bombing and provide recommendations to help avert such occurrences in the future. Therefore, this paper discusses the impact of making the US border more secure, the rationale behind replacing the "need to know" with the "need to share". Moreover, the paper highlights the DOD's role the role in border and coastal security, its relationship with the Department of Homeland Security and how DOD supports civil authorities.

What are the components that contribute to port security planning, why are they important, and what aspects of security planning are considered in port facility operations?

The distinction between homeland security and homeland defense is pivotal in gaining a better understanding of how these agencies work and how they correlate to our nations infrastructure. We must understand the designated missions set forth for both these agencies while learning how they meet the tasks appointed to them and resources utilized to accomplish the mission. Learning the fundamentals of our nations infrastructure information must be provided to showcase how these agencies utilize the appropriate resources to guarantee the security of these critical infrastructures. Offering an opinion in the definition of homeland security and how resources are being utilized to fix vulnerabilities is vital to showcase what is being distributed and learned on a researchers and readers level. Homeland security and homeland defense play a pivotal role in ensuring our borders are protected.

Airport security is necessary for the safety and efficiency of airlines today. Attacks involving airlines have been “among the deadliest in terms of human lives and economic impact,” even though relatively few attacks have occurred using airlines compared to other terrorism methods (Szyliowicz, 2011, p.2). Airport Security has been administered using a government-operated system since the Aviation and Transportation Security Act was enacted in 2001. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), now an agency of homeland security, replaced private security measures and personnel with at least 60,000 federal employees (Szyliowicz, 2011). However, privatization may be making a come-back. The following analysis will analyze