Adfero Group HSPI

The Government Accountability Office report on the Department of Homeland Security’s 287(g) program was the equivalent of a gang-banger drive-by shooting. The House Homeland Security Committee used the report to hold a hearing for brow beating the department’s program which facilitates cooperation between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state and local law enforcement on immigration-related criminal and terrorism investigations (as well as working with prisons and jails to ensure convicted felony aliens are deported).

During Secretary Napolitano’s first appearance before the House Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA) performed an important service. He pointed out that legalistic “one size fits all” homeland security requirements don’t make sense. Rigid compliance enforced without exception and not viewed through the lens of common sense can sap the credibility of DHS in the eyes of the American public and at the same time fail to enhance security.

Security Debrief contributor Michael Braun, former DEA Chief of Operations, spoke with Tom Temin and Jane Norris of Federal News Radio to discuss the recent push for additional tunnel detection technology.

Whether talking about 100% or 50% or 10% screening, the larger the percentage the larger the cost in equipment and staff. However, I would ask 2 questions: What are we screening for and, and is the cost a sound investment in the most effective strategy?

Senator McCain, a co-sponsor with Senator Levin of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009, yesterday likened the imminent crisis in defence procurement budget overruns to “a train wreck coming”; with $300bn in over-runs last year, this is no insignificant piece of work.

The President has made an excellent choice in nominating Craig Fugate to be the next FEMA Administrator. Knowing Craig Fugate and seeing him in action, it is clear that he will make a superb FEMA administrator. The FEMA workforce will enjoy his leadership. Congress will appreciate his candor and business-like approach to emergency management. DHS will benefit from his willingness to be a team player. And most of all, those Americans who are imperiled will be ably assisted by a FEMA that is lead by a talented and tested emergency manager.

While simmering beneath the surface since the inception of DHS, this debate over FEMA’s location bubbled over recently when raised publicly by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The congressional tug-of-war that continues over jurisdiction paralyzes DHS with organizational uncertainty. Until the agency settles and becomes familiar with an established organizational chart, it will not effectively and efficiently serve the American people.

Today, the White House announced that Craig Fugate, the State of Florida’s Emergency Management Director, has been selected by President Obama to lead the nation’s lead agency for emergency management, FEMA. All of the individuals who were being considered would do a great job as FEMA Administrator, but the President has made his pick and it’s a good one.

The administration’s effort to “Make America Safer” and create jobs through the Economic Stimulus package is a good start. However, it still misses the bigger opportunity of leveraging the Stimulus Package to get the private sector to focus on remediating its vulnerabilities.

Cyber attacks of computer systems and telecommunication networks are highly developed and increasingly used as a way to gain an advantage in the commercial sector, as well as a viable tool for terrorists seeking to cause economic destruction and ways to fund their operations. As business trade secrets and customer information become more vulnerable, it is clear that the public can wait no longer for cyber security standards.

The crippled economy is forcing the business community to make tough choices about where to cut costs; personnel, overhead expenses, security investment, or anything that doesn’t add to near-term solvency. Mindful that we haven’t had an attack on US soil in 7 ½ years; our fleeting memory of fear of terrorism has been replaced by an immediately palpable fear of losing our jobs and facing financial ruin.

It came as a slight shock to me to learn today that the President of Guinea-Bissau was assassinated late Sunday/early Monday in the United States. What is also shocking is that there has been no mention of the assassination all day on any of the major new networks.

As of today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is under the leadership of Acting Commissioner Jayson Ahern. Commissioner Ralph Basham retired after decades of public service on Friday and leaves CBP in the good hands of Ahern.

FEMA has had a topsy-turvy history. Set-up by Jimmy Carter. Bill Clinton’s play thing. Transferred to Homeland Security after 9/11. Victim of Katrina. What’s next?

When the 9/11 Commission issued its Final Report and recommendations in July 2004, much of the attention focused on the findings showing a need to reform the nation’s intelligence mechanisms and the assessment of our national “failure of imagination.” Unfortunately, what were lost in this initial media coverage were the Commission’s recommendations that spoke directly to the private sector.