Security Debrief

International Criminal Information Sharing

July 7, 2010

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.

Rich Cooper Reflects on Admiral Mullen at the Aspen Security Forum

Security Debrief |

June 29, 2010

Security Debrief contributor Rich Cooper is in Colorado for the Aspen Security Forum. Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided the forum’s opening remarks. Here’s what Cooper told Government Security News after the Admiral’s talk.

Marketing Homeland Security Products – The DHS Commercialization Process

Security Debrief |

June 25, 2010

The domestic market for homeland security products is quite different than for defense products. While the Department of Defense completely controls the latter, the homeland security market is very fragmented. Recognizing the fragmented nature of the market, DHS’s Commercialization Office created an innovative “commercialization process” to help the private sector develop and sell homeland security products. While not a panacea for every company, the commercialization process can play a critical role for some companies and products.

A Victory in the War on Terrorism

Security Debrief |

June 24, 2010

The Supreme Court decision this week defining and clarifying “material support” as it relates to aid to designated terrorist organizations is a huge victory in this continuing war. In a 6 to 3 decision, the Court rejected a First Amendment challenge from humanitarian aid groups claiming the support is intended to move the terrorist groups toward peaceful and legal activities. The Court ruled that such support was illegal even if its intention was to support “non-violent” elements within such terrorist organizations.

Preparing for PS-Prep – Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Certification

Security Debrief |

June 18, 2010

By Bob Connors
The 9/11 Commission found that the Private Sector wasn’t adequately prepared to respond to or recover from a catastrophic disaster, and DHS officially launched the Private Sector Preparedness Program. There are many opinions about whether a voluntary private sector preparedness certification is necessary. The thought of business continuity/crisis management (private sector preparedness) being “regulated” through standards makes practitioners shudder, but it’s been my experience that many companies believe they have adequate preparedness programs in place, but truly aren’t ready for a significant incident (and may not even know it).

Managing Large Enrollment Programs – Tougher Than it Looks

Security Debrief |

June 15, 2010

By Michael T. Dougherty
It is an open question whether Congress will address comprehensive immigration reform legislation this year or find time to work on smaller immigration packages such as the DREAM Act or AgJOBS. Immigration reform poses many difficult issues for Congress, and if any legislation includes a pathway to citizenship for some or all the 10.8 million illegal immigrants that DHS estimates reside in the United States, Congress should ensure that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has the resources that it needs to promptly and accurately enroll that population.

A Need to Prioritize Intelligence Analysis at Fusion Centers

Security Debrief |

June 14, 2010

By Steve Serrao
Having visited and worked in many fusion centers across the nation, I often wonder how much attention is given to a basic question: Are we conducting analysis or not? The answer to the question of whether the centers conduct analysis varies widely, and it is partly dependent on whether the fusion center’s goal is to provide strategic-intelligence analysis or serve as a tactical operational data-sharing operation. Fusion centers that have decided to perform both data fusion and analysis need the appropriate staff and resources assigned. There must be a division of analytical labor.

Paris Joins Other Global Transit Hubs in Immigration Advisory Program

Security Debrief |

June 14, 2010

On June 3, DHS announced that it had completed an agreement with France to implement the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP) at the Charles De Gaulle International Airport in Paris. When Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are deployed later this summer, Paris will join Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Tokyo and Seoul (among other locations) as places where the IAP operates. The IAP enables the identification of high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board aircraft bound for the United States, and DHS should continue to work with partners to export best security practices and standards more widely.

Global Entry Expanding and Facilitating Travel

Security Debrief |

June 11, 2010

In November 2009, DHS proposed establishing Global Entry – a pilot “trusted traveler” program – as a permanent fixture at U.S. airports. The final rule should be published soon, and in the meantime, the program continues to expand and facilitate international travel. Global Entry currently operates at 20 U.S. airports and allows U.S. citizens entering the country by air to skip immigration lines in favor of kiosks. The number of participants in these programs likely will continue to grow, particularly as Global Entry partnerships expand. This should be welcomed and encouraged, as it facilitates both travel and security.

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