Adfero Group HSPI

Enforcing criminal laws is always a matter of relative success and failure. Small increases or decreases in violent crime, drug trafficking, or white collar offenses are often seen, rightfully, as major accomplishments or setbacks. For some reason, however, immigration enforcement rarely gets treated the same way.

OK, let me get this straight: a private sector company INVITES the National Security Agency (NSA) to place sensors on its privately owned network to help the company protect itself from unauthorized and unwanted cyber intrusions. Perfect Citizen, as it is called, is a program to detect cyber assaults on critical infrastructure, be they publically or privately held. The NSA will deploy sensors in critical infrastructure computer networks to detect a cyber attack. Some have worried that Perfect Citizen constitutes too much government monitoring in the private sector, conjuring comparisons to George Orwell’s 1984. But how in the world does Perfect Citizen constitute “Big Brother?”

As we continue to swelter in the ongoing summer heat wave, it is easy for me to reminisce about my recent visit to Aspen, Colo. Tucked amongst the Rockies with its clean air, fervent green and majestic views, a town known primarily for its skiing with the rich and famous was home to what was, simply put, the best conference program I have ever attended. The first annual Aspen Security Forum put forward a program that I can only describe as pleasant, informational waterboarding. By the time each of the presenters and panelists were done, my hand was dead from writing so much and my head hurt from being given the firehouse treatment of a candor and content overload. Here’s a rundown of some of the sessions.

Over the past years more than a dozen agreements to share information about criminals have been signed with our Visa Waiver Program (VWP) partners. Known as Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (PCSC), these agreements stem from the more robust VWP information sharing requirements mandated by the 9/11 Act. Significant work remains to be done to complete bilateral agreements with each VWP country. A few countries have resisted the VWP’s core information-sharing requirements, and it is therefore imperative for DHS to continue to communicate a firm message on the necessity of timely compliance and clearly signal the costs of backward movement to VWP participants.

At the recent Eurosatory Arms Show outside Paris, everyone seemed to be in dark suits and sunglasses. If you want a weapon or defense system, the latest hardware, or the means to stop it, this is your place. Spying at such events has always happened, and behind those suits and dark glasses there is an atmosphere of mutual distrust. Today, the threat has expanded. Cyber spying is alive and well at this very lucrative target environment.

In a recent Al Jazeera interview with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Bolden revealed that the president had directed him to do three things: inspire children to study math and science; expand international relationships; and help Muslim nations feel good about their historic contribution to science, math and engineering. For all of the good intentions that may be in the President’s direction and Administrator Bolden’s heart for wanting Muslims “to feel good,” I’m more than certain that people of the Muslim religion are perfectly capable of feeling plenty of pride in their accomplishments in science, engineering, mathematics and so forth without the help of a U.S. government official. If you want people to feel good, respect them – don’t pander to them.