Adfero Group HSPI

The Coast Guard is an integral part of DHS, though it has never gotten its fair share of resources. That is nowhere more the case than when it comes to fulfilling its responsibilities for looking after U.S. interests in the Arctic. DHS Inspector General recently concluded that the Coast Guard has neither sufficient ships nor budgetary authority to accomplish its current missions.

Countries in the Middle East that have been ruled for decades by one person and their respective families and close allies have found their grips on power disappearing. The sheer brutality of these men and their regimes is well documented, but it is more than interesting to watch the actions of the teetering dictators as they look to hold onto what power they have. For all of their faults and countless sins for which these despots must ultimately answer, we know one thing is for sure – their egos remove them from any sense of reality, and when that happens, leadership fails.

With the sad news of the murder of four Americans by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, the United States and the international community once again have to realize that ignoring the situation in East Africa is not a viable or productive option. For decades, the lawlessness of the area has allowed piracy to become the de facto career choice for young men desperate for money and to do the unthinkable to those who unfortunately come within range of their coastal waters.

When Americans think of “foreign assistance,” they usually think of us helping other countries. Yet, in recent years, other countries have tried to help America in its time of need, with haphazard and embarrassing results. It would be prudent for the United States to develop a reliable process by which to accept help from other countries when it is needed.

A panel discussion on how the digital revolution sparked the popular uprising that ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will be held Monday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the National Press Club Ballroom.

We now have an Iron Triangle of Cybersecurity. At the points are security, privacy and information sharing. Each one is enabled by the other two, and each one is, at the same time, in conflict with the other two. How can we achieve the balance that we so badly need?

By Erroll Southers
In America, very little counter-terrorism education occurs and terrorism awareness is low. The public is informed in a reactive, viral delivery, the result of the latest video terror threat or subsequent to the next thwarted plot (if we remain lucky). The point America has been missing is the engagement of its biggest and best resource: the public.

Many people see cybersecurity as simply a matter of building a better castle. If we only have higher and thicker walls, and a strong cavalry, we’ll be safe. Yet, the bad guys are always going to get through, and it does not matter much if the cavalry is preemptive or reactive. We still need the sensors and decision-making protocols to get the right action at the right time.

By Peter Probst
While former-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak recently resigned in the face of two-week long protests from the Egyptian people, the ramifications from this dramatic event are just beginning to be felt. Following are some predictions on what we may expect in the region.

The recent designation of the Lebanese Canadian Bank (LCB) as a “financial institution of primary money laundering concern” compels the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to continue its IT modernization project, despite multiple setbacks. The LCB case is a reminder of the significant role of FinCEN, not only in the investigation of criminal organizations, but also in the investigation of the movement of funds used to support organizations that threaten U.S. national security and interests.

The saga continues on the shootings in Arizona in January, where Representative Gabrielle Giffords and at least 17 others were shot. Sadly, no, the saga is not on the status of the victims nor the families that lost loved ones. Our “News magazines” have now joined the blame game. Not in blaming Jared Loughner – they want to blame everyone and everything else.

GreenPeace wasted little time showing off its true colors last Friday when the group’s legislative director, Rick Hind, decided to protest during a House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on chemical security. Waving flip-flops over his head, Rick managed to interrupt the hearing and wag the proverbial middle finger to the water sector. The fact is, GreenPeace is less concerned about chemical security than they are about just banning chlorine.

Daniel Gordon, OMB’s Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, released a 13-page Memorandum for Chief Acquisition Officers, Senior Procurement Executives and Chief Information Officers. If you are someone who has tried to do business with the federal government, this memo speaks directly to you. As someone who has worked with the homeland security industry, I’ve seen first hand the behaviors and attitudes that prevent meaningful dialogue. It does not have to be this way.

Take a look at the overview of DHS’s proposed budget for 2012.

Today, the Obama Administration submitted its proposed FY12 Budget to Congress. One of the first things to look for is whether the request to spend taxpayer dollars aligns with what the President and his Cabinet say are their highest priorities. In light of Secretary Napolitano’s recent remarks on violent extremism, the question remains, “So what are we doing to do about it?” If the President’s budget submission is any reflection of priorities, the answer is: “Not much.”

By Doug Doan
Contrary to popular myth, companies involved in developing new equipment or services for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are about to find themselves in real trouble. The current business climate is deteriorating and companies trying to win new government contracts, or hang on to their existing contract base, are going to find it harder sledding. Here are ten reasons to be concerned about investing in companies doing business with DHS.

Securing the borders and the FY 2012 DHS budget are on the agenda.

With all of the Reagan Centennial activities starting to get underway, it is completely understandable for public officials – regardless of their political ideologies – to embrace “the Great Communicator.” In a hearing before the Transportation Security Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee on “Terrorism and Transportation Security,” TSA Administrator, John Pistole shared that he would fire any TSA employee if they were to go on strike, fail to show up for work or engage in work slow down behavior. That’s something the Gipper would be proud of.

David Olive asks a fair question – why did it take the Department of Homeland Security so long to dump the color-coded alert system? I first called on the department to dump the idea in 2004. It was a bad idea because it failed to meet the basic criteria of an effective risk communication tool – the capacity to deliver a message that was understandable, actionable and credible.

With TSA’s Administrator John Pistole’s recent go-ahead for TSA workers to vote on collective bargaining, there have been questions about how this decision will affect the security and the agency. Here is piece from the Washington Post’s Federal Eye, where Pistole makes clear his thoughts on collective bargaining at TSA.