Deploying Policy and Technology to Keep American Waterways Safe and Secure
An Overview of U.S. Port Authorities and the Department of Homeland Security Policy Reform Initiative.
U.S. Port Authorities
U.S. port authorities can be broken into three major groups. Each fulfills a function that is needed to support the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHLS) policy reform initiative.
Port authorities are managed by a captain in the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The port officer is responsible for providing security on the water. They also oversee the inspection and regulation of ships coming in and out of the port. All day to day operations are handled by the port officer and can only be designated to a single port at any given time
Another role in U.S. port authority is handled by an organization called the Bureau of Customs and Boarder Protection (BCBP). BCBP is responsible for all security relating to the ground. Once vessels have arrived at a U.S. port the BCBP will ensure that the appropriate level of container inspection has occurred. They also validate the clearing crews and the passengers from cargo and cruise vessels alike.
State port authorities oversee the commercial usage of port property. Piers and terminal spaces are leased to private companies through agreements brokered by the state port authorities. Typically, these companies will hire their own private security operations. Moves like this can contribute to a degradation of the overall quality of security posture for the port. Contract guards tend to receive lower wages making them cost less than DHS agents and USCG personnel.
Port Security and It’s Significance
Port security falls under the port maritime domain. It is the collection of defense, law enforcement and counter-terrorism activities. The inspection of incoming and outgoing seaport cargo falls under the guise of the port security officer and their crew. This represents the back bone of success for the DHS port security policy initiatives.
Port security is important because it prevents terrorists from exploiting many of the vulnerabilities that exist at U.S. ports. Vulnerabilities exist because of poor security standards and policies. This short coming relates back to the DHS’s desire to uniform standards of security throughout U.S. ports under the Maritime Transportation Security Act.
Understanding and Mitigating Port Security Risk
Today our waterways and those who use them face numerous threats.
Modern day water ways are susceptible to a variety of concerns. To drive down the risk, security has transitioned from using human guards to complex surveillance systems. Many of these systems are dependent upon sophisticated electronic networks, high definition cameras, sensors, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles.
When dealing with systems like these, cyber security becomes an immediate concern. Because of this, the way we approach these problems is changing. Systems Engineering heuristics and processes force engineers to rethink traditional approaches. While this shift is creating safer and more secure end products our success hinges upon the ability to detect and manage risk. The DHS is using five broad elements to manage port security risk.
DHS begins by first understanding the risk. When dealing with impacts to the maritime transportation system the DHS considers all the potential contributors. To achieve success port authorities must not only defend against physical terrorist threats but also radiological and nuclear threats. This all-encompassing mindset ensures that each key vulnerabilities and pathways are detected.
Once the risks have been identified and understood there is a need for action to take place. This is fulfilled through advanced information and targeting product solutions. Threats exist within the cargo, vessels, and individuals who operate them. Proper supply chain security relies upon early detection using advanced targeting techniques to assess risk and build knowledge about the varying avenues of threat. Knowledge gathering includes but is not limited to people, companies, facilities, and cargo.
Building upon advanced detection and targeting techniques requires early action through collaboration. Once the technologies are in place expanded enforcement of managing security for cargo originators is achieved. This approach is all about looking ahead and attempting to gauge which foreign ports pose the greatest threat. Successful collaboration requires port authority, supplier, federal agency, and foreign government involvement.
Once collaboration among the various stakeholders is achieved common standards and processes are exercises. This includes documenting personnel, technology, and access control protocols throughout all domestic ports of entry. For this laws related to health, immigration, safety, trade, and economic zoning are considered.
Port authorities cultivate a culture of preparedness.
Strengthening U.S. port security and resilience is achieved through the preparation of threats. The primary focus of preparedness as suggested by the DHS are acts of terrorism, cyber security, pandemics, and natural disasters.
These elements aid in the detection of threats before they occur by reducing maritime critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. They also support the response to and recovery from attacks should they manifest themselves. As part of the risk based security approach, focus begins with system analysis which aids the discovery of risk. Once this is completed threat solutions can be created. These solutions fill out the remaining elements of the approach.
Threat Solutions
Experts warn that U.S. seaports could be tempting targets for terrorists bent on killing large numbers of people. Attacks like this would effectively grab media attention and disrupt the U.S. economy. Shipping and cruise terminals are often located in highly congested areas where large numbers of people live and work.
Threat solutions fall under the DHS’s initiative to identify and fund business-driven innovation to improve security for the movement of vessel cargo.
Seaport security is especially important given the heightened risk of hostile acts. Harbors offer a unique combination of targets for terrorists. Major cruise lines, local water front restaurants, and the presence of military facilities/assets could be viewed as prime targets by terrorist groups. A cruise ship carrying over 3000 passengers would be a devastatingly well-planned attack.
The Underwater Port Security System (UPSS) is a product that has come out of the DHS’s initiative to support business driven innovation. This system is very similar to systems found on U.S. Navy submarines. Like those systems the UPSS is responsible for tracking contacts that are marked as either “Friendly” or “Hostile. In addition to this feature the UPSS can support the inspection of ship hulls and waterfront pier structures.
Staying One Step Ahead of the Threat
Terrorist threats faced globally are complex and can be deployed in a multitude of ways. It is critical for the U.S. to continue to do all that is possible to ensure the safety of its ports. Many advancements have been made with surveillance technologies that increase the overall resilience of security systems.
Drones, sonar systems, infrared cameras, and acoustic fences are among the many defenses the USCG is fielding to ensure U.S. safety and security is maintained. If vulnerabilities were to be exploited the results could have massive cascading effects on commerce and public safety. Fortunately the application of mindful policy and sophisticated technology is preventing that for now.
