Recent Defense Department reports on Chinese computer network operations in 2007 should be a clear indication that the United States needs to step up its cyber defense policy to address a growing threat to its national security.
Next week, the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cyber Security Division (NCSD) will sponsor its second large-scale national cyber exercise, Cyber Storm II. During my time at DHS, my involvement with the first Cyber Storm, along with other training programs, taught me how important these exercises are to enhance preparedness. In particular, Cyber Storm II has added importance and will help raise the consciousness of government and business leaders to serve as a vivid reminder that along with its many benefits, the global IT revolution carries a new generation of risk.
Earlier this week, representatives of the chemical industry expressed concerns at a hearing by the House Homeland Security Committee to make the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards regulation – that went into effect in June 2007 and is set to sunset in October 2009 – permanent. The debate shows that Congress needs more education about the nuances of the chemical legislation.
Threat is found in all sorts of places and even in the smallest of places such as small boats. These craft come in all shapes and sizes, from smaller pleasure craft all the way to speedboats, and a thousand other private and commercial platforms. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security faces a difficult task in trying to track, control and mitigate the risks posed by the millions of small boats that regularly operate in U.S. waters. Congress and the Administration should invest in assets that improve the overall security of the maritime domain.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security and the Bush Administration announced a series of proposed improvements to the regulations governing the hiring of temporary and seasonal agricultural workers. The end goal of these modification is primarily to improve the process’ inefficiency – yet it is unclear whether the modifications will really make the process easier for farmers.
I’ve been accused of many things in my public career, but as a former U.S. Attorney and head of the DEA, nobody has ever accused me of being soft on crime – particularly drug crime. So you may be surprised to find me coming down on the other side of our respected Attorney General with regard to sentencing guidelines on crack and powder cocaine.
The FY 2009 proposal budget focuses and supports a full range of law enforcement operations to combat illegal immigrants, drugs and weapons along the border with Mexico. This drastic increase in funding is a sigh of relief for those who are against a comprehensive immigration bill that supports amnesty. In other words, a “do nothing” bill, with a track record of a flawed and unworkable policy that maintains the status quo. Serious immigration reform is on its way, as already seen in FY 2009 proposal budget, with complete focus on increasing law enforcement and operations. The only thing sensible is opting for a new strategy instead of reviving a failed one.
Simply publishing the NRF will not automatically fix the problems of coordination during emergencies and disasters. Real progress will be achieved when the principles of the NRF are universally understood and embraced by the range of leaders that must act decisively in the face of a crisis. The confusion in the midst of Katrina and the inaccurate rhetoric in its aftermath provides clear evidence that the long-standing principles that should guide how America manages emergencies and disasters were not universally understood.
Congress has much to do to improve on its below-par performance on homeland security in 2007. These five priorities are good places to start: Consolidate congressional oversight of DHS; stop turning DHS grants into pork barrel grabfests; establish an Undersecretary for DHS; repeal the damaging mandate to scan 100 percent of all cargo; finish immigration reform.
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