Damian Gillespie

Damian Gillespie

1. How does port facility technology interface with homeland security?

The interfacing technology of port facility and homeland security derived as a result from the terrorist attacks that took place on September 11^th, 2001. Prior to then maritime operations were able to conduct business within its arena with minimal or no scrutiny from the federal government. The emphasis on port facilities to develop enhanced and more complex security technology was implemented upon signature of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-8 in December 2003. This directive required all federal agencies, private business and partners to these agencies to assist in strengthening America’s preparedness to prevent and respond to threats, whether it is man-made or all-hazard. It forced FSOs to step back and review their security plans from the overarching guidance provided by the DHS to address any threats to the homeland. In 2005 the National Strategy for Maritime Security addressed challenges and threat mitigations in the maritime domain. It also recognized the need for cohesive security measures between federal, states, local, tribal and private sector entities to align with federal programs. Although these collaborative efforts are nothing new for the port facility managers, the new oversight of port security posture requires plans to provide in depth emergent and response procedures to deter and minimize security incidents.

2. How does situational awareness and situational readiness affect port safety and emergency management?

Situational awareness and situational readiness highlights the important relationship between port FSP and technology management. Having the ability to obtain information and intelligence from multiple sources regularly to support operational decision making encompasses situational awareness. It promotes establishing pathways for addressing strengths and weakness in the port community, while giving FSOs an edge on developing mitigation tactics to avoid new and accurate threats. In basic terms, situational awareness means that FSO knows what is going on around their port. This information paves the way for situational readiness or preparedness. The information or intelligence obtain from being aware of the port’s surrounding then can be used to develop plans or procedures to handle unexpected events that may surface. The readiness comes from the port’s ability to development emergency operations and response plans to react or respond to particular events. These plans usually address incident prevention, personnel and property protection and how to respond with the appropriate human and physical resources. Situational readiness also comes with challenges that must be address and one those primary challenges are communication. A good FSO should have the ability to facilitate the implementation of procedures at a port facility through the Maritime Security Levels effectively. A breakdown on any level of communication can make or destroy a ports situational readiness causing protocols to not be obtained.

Damian

Christopher, K. (2014;2015;). Port security management (Second ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press

HSPD 7; Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents (December 22, 2003), v.39 n.51, p.1816-1822, Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/wcomp/index.html

 

Ryan Norton

1. How does port facility technology interface with homeland security?

The advances in technology that are being used now by the ports are also advances that can be used in homeland security in numerous ways. The thermal imaging that is being used to identify ships that have cargo loads of illegal goods, human smuggling, drugs etc…is a technology that can be used at our borders to search vehicles, personnel and aircraft to ensure that illegal contraband isn’t crossing our borders. The use of CCTV is pretty much everywhere now. You can rarely travel to anyplace without being picked up on CCTV in some manner. We use it at the borders, withing our towns and citites and our ports. This is a way that real time imaging can be used to capture footage of attempted attacks or to be used to identify personnel and vehicles that may be suspected in a crime or potential terrorist plot.

In today’s world of cyber warfare, cyber security is one of the biggest concerns. When it comes to ports and homeland security cyber terrorism is a serious threat. “Port facilities, which depend on complex computing architecture to network their surveillance, credentialing, access controls, communication and related systems, must seriously consider the increasing risks” (Christopher, 2014). This is a major concern for homeland security as well as cyber attacks are happening all the time and coming from countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Syria. The strength in the infrastructure is a key component in ensuring our cyber networks at all levels remain safe.

2. How does situational awareness and situational readiness affect port safety and emergency management?

The employess of the ports but always be aware of the situation going on around them and be ready to combat that threat or resolve the situation. There will be an Emergency Plan that will be followed in the event of an attack, accident, spill etc..and these are imperative for all employees to know. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the legal foundation in which enforcement of standards is adhered to. There must be proper handling of all dangerous cargo going on and off of all vessels within the port. HSPD-8 strengthens the U.S. preparedness to prevent and respond to threatened or actual terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other emergencies. There are contingency plans for hazardous material spills and material incidents. So as detailed above all of these steps will be extremely important in ensuring port security via emergency management.

Ryan

Christopher, K. (2014). Port Security Management, Second Edition. CRC Press.