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U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Homeland Security Leadership Journal Update
November 16, 2007
The Long-term Business of Travel Security
This week, TSA has been the subject of two different congressional committees to talk about covert checkpoint testing [here and here], and the headlines would grab anyone's attention. Assuming that you missed the actual hearings and viewed only the headlines or the videos, below is my summary of the hearing I wish I had:
Q: Are there vulnerabilities in TSA's checkpoint security -- specifically related to IED's?
A: Yes, there are vulnerabilities to any and every security measure.
Q: Is that dangerous?
A: Only if you don't identify the vulnerabilities and don’t do something about them.
Q: What vulnerabilities have you identified?
A: For carry-on bags, our current x-rays don't automatically identify all kinds of explosives so we have to depend on the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at the x-ray to identify potential threats, call for a bag search and resolve the issue. This is of course subject to human error -- there are something like ten million images a day we examine.
For shoes, magnetometers and the old "shoe profile" don't necessarily identify all threats.
For people, magnetometers alone don't necessarily identify all threats.
Q: What have you done about it?
A: For carry-on bags: complete workforce re-training by professional bomb techs supported by 300 full-time bomb techs deployed at checkpoints for hands-on help and training. Checkpoint IED drills using bomb components and simulated explosives, every lane, every shift, every day, every airport. New Advanced Technology x-ray equipment will be deployed during 2008 (about 500) as well as explosive liquids detectors (about 200).
For shoes: we X-ray all shoes, which is very effective at identifying shoes that have been tampered with.
For people: We are conducting random and selective explosives detection on passengers using Explosives Trace Detection as well as pat-down procedures. We are testing Backscatter and Millimeter Wave whole body imaging portals.
For the unknown evolving threat, we’ve added extra layers of security, better technology, a strategy of flexible, unpredictable security measures, and constantly train and test our TSOs. We could reduce risk further by eliminating carry on bags all together, but that would cause additional inconvenience for the people we are trying to serve.
TSA has a very good story to tell that you would have missed if you only saw the videos and the headlines. Here it is:
Shortly after I became Administrator of TSA in July 2005, I asked our Office of Inspection, the office that conducts covert testing for TSA, to identify the vulnerabilities in our system at that time. We looked at technology vulnerabilities, people vulnerabilities and strategy vulnerabilities, and learned that we had work to do in all three areas.
Checkpoint technology needed to be upgraded to eliminate the possibility of bringing IED components, not an assembled bomb, through the checkpoint – a much harder task.
Our workforce was too checklist-oriented. Security officers were looking to find prohibited items and pull them out of bags, but they weren’t thinking outside the box.
Our strategy was stagnant and reactive. We needed to change up what we do and not be a sitting duck at the checkpoint. We needed to go on offense.
The analysis that resulted from covert testing gave us the path forward to better security. We retrained the entire TSA workforce using professional bomb tests directed at finding IED components, and changed our protocols to require us to train and test to the standard of IED components.
We’ve tested and deployed new technologies, including advanced technology X-ray, passenger imaging technology and other enhanced explosives detection technologies.
In the past two years, we’ve also added four additional layers of security – to give us a total of 19 - to address vulnerabilities and go on the offensive. Behavior observation identifies suspicious behaviors related to surveillance or pre-attack planning. Assuming document checking responsibilities enables us to use new technology to detect fraudulent documents while also tying in the behavior detection aspect.
VIPR (Visible Intermodal Protection and Response) teams utilize Federal Air Marshals who are not flying on aircraft. They now move under cover – and overtly – to do random patrols everywhere in the airport environment. And lastly, employee screening allows us to look at what employees are doing inside the airport - at the fuel pump, in the parking garage, around the perimeter of the airport.
So while the media reports focus on today’s hot topic of professional testers getting simulated bombs through checkpoints, the American public should know that TSA is very serious about the long-term business of preventing the real ones from getting through. We’ve implemented a risk-based strategy, rooted in intelligence and multi-layered to address vulnerabilities, that is sound enough to address the threats we know about today and flexible enough to deal with the ones we’ll find out about tomorrow.
Kip Hawley
TSA Administrator
Labels: travel security, TSA
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posted by DHS Journal at 6:50 PM | Links to this post
The Cosco Busan Oil Spill--Finding Answers
Last weekend, I flew to San Francisco to get a first-hand look at the Coast Guard’s response and the ongoing cleanup of a 58,000-gallon fuel oil spill in the Bay. I met with local and state officials, received a briefing from the Unified Command, and conducted an overflight of the area to assess the damage and cleanup operations. Every place I went, I witnessed overwhelming unity and support from Bay area residents. They are a dedicated and compassionate people who care deeply about their community. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their help in responding to this preventable incident.
What happened: On November 7th, the 900-foot container ship Cosco Busan with a full crew and San Francisco Bar pilot aboard struck the tower supporting the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in a heavy fog. The allision resulted in a 200 foot long tear to the port side of the ship that ripped open several fuel tanks. Members of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco responded to initial reports to assess the damage and begin coordinating cleanup operations. Coast Guard pollution investigators were on scene within an hour of initial notification. A Unified Command comprised of the Coast Guard, California Department of Fish and Game, and a contractor hired to represent the ship’s owner, was established to coordinate and manage the oil spill cleanup operations in accordance with the National Response Plan and the local Area Contingency Plan.
What We’re Doing: As of Friday, more than 1,000 people have been assigned to the cleanup operation and approximately 16,000 gallons of oil has been recovered from the water and surrounding shoreline. Six shoreline assessment teams have been deployed in support of 16 cleanup teams working on more than 27 beaches in five counties. More than 20,000 feet of protective boom has been put in place to protect sensitive areas and reduce the spread of any remaining oil on the surface. Regrettably, more than 800 oiled birds have died, while 800 more have been captured for rehabilitation. Most of the observable oil on the surface of the waters has been recovered, and cleanup crews are now focusing their efforts on cleaning shoreline beaches.
The National Transportation Safety Board initiated an investigation into the allision. They will examine the performance of the master, pilot and crew, as well as the operation and maintenance of equipment and navigation systems. In addition, a Coast Guard marine casualty investigation for the purpose of taking appropriate measures for promoting safety of life and property at sea has begun.
What I’m Doing: While these investigations are ongoing and all of the facts have not yet been determined, it is clear that there was some miscommunication in the first day after the allision occurred as the Unified Command struggled to determine the actual amount of oil spilled into the Bay. Many have criticized the delay in reporting of the actual amount of fuel spilled. Everyone potentially impacted by this environmental crisis, from the fishermen, to the families in the Bay area, to the environmental preservationists who enjoy and rely on the Bay, deserve to know what happened. I understand their concerns and frustration and am committed to getting answers.
That is why I directed the Coast Guard Chief of Staff to initiate an Incident Specific Preparedness Review (ISPR). It will examine the implementation and effectiveness of the Area Contingency Plan and its integration with other applicable contingency plans at the federal, state, and local levels. The review will also carefully evaluate the effectiveness of the Coast Guard’s oil spill response and communications efforts, as well as the overall preparedness system. The Incident Specific Preparedness Review includes membership of federal, local, state, and industry stakeholders. The ISPR will inform actions by the Coast Guard and others to produce positive, effective preparedness improvements that will benefit the San Francisco Bay region, as well as other regions of the country.
Members of the Cosco Busan Incident Specific Preparedness Review will include representatives from:
The members will provide my Chief of Staff with an initial report within 90 days. I am committed to ensuring this review is done in the most timely and transparent manner possible and will make it available to the public upon its completion. The results of the review will also be made available to the NTSB, marine casualty investigators, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for San Francisco in support of any ongoing or potential investigations.
I consider it my duty and a personal responsibility to the people of the San Francisco Bay Area, the State of California, and our own people to conduct a comprehensive, high level assessment of our performance in the critical hours after the Cosco Busan spilled thousands of gallons of oil into the Bay. While we would not normally initiate an Incident Specific Preparedness Review during the course of an ongoing cleanup operation, I have determined that due to the severity of this incident and the potential benefits in identifying areas to improve response coordination and communication in the future, it is imperative that we get this review underway as quickly as possible. This action underscores the commitment I have made to Secretary Chertoff, Governor Schwarzenegger and our Congressional leadership. We will not rest until we know what happened, why it happened, and what we can do to improve preparedness and response in the future.
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Commandant U.S. Coast Guard
Labels: Coast Guard, oil spill
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posted by DHS Journal at 6:26 PM | Links to this post
November 15, 2007
A Visit to the Middle East
This past weekend, I traveled to the Middle East to participate in several events with our servicemen and women and to meet with a number of our allies throughout the region. I visited Iraq, Bahrain and Jordan, and on the way back, met my European counterparts in London.
I’d like to share with you some highlights from the past few days.
On Veterans Day, I had the privilege of administering the Oath of Allegiance to over 170 U.S. soldiers at a naturalization ceremony in Iraq. They were born in over 50 countries. Ironically, the ceremony took place in an auditorium formerly used by Saddam Hussein as a movie theater. But most remarkably, these brave men and women were willing to leave their native homes and put their lives in danger to defend America before they were naturalized American citizens.
After Iraq, I went to Bahrain and met with several U.S. Coast Guard members who are assisting in Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, a small unit is doing a tremendous job securing ports in the North Arabian Gulf, augmenting U.S. Navy security forces, training Iraqi sailors and marines, and protecting Iraq’s oil infrastructure, which is crucial to overall reconstruction efforts. In addition to Coast Guard forces, DHS has Customs and Border Protection personnel stationed in and around Iraq to help train Iraqi soldiers and strengthen their border security efforts.
DHS personnel deployed overseas are directly enhancing our security at home. By working closely with Iraqi, American, and Coalition Forces, they are helping to stabilize a fledgling democracy, creating a safer Iraq and therefore a safer Middle East. And a safer Middle East means a safer world for us and our allies. These young men and women are also goodwill ambassadors, setting an example and forging relationships that enhance America’s reputation in Iraq and the Gulf.
But America also has a responsibility to extend its protection to vulnerable populations, including those in Iraq. And, of course, our greatest duty is to those who are at risk because they have worked side by side with our military and civilian personnel. So I also visited a refugee processing facility in Jordan to examine what we are doing to process Iraqi refugees seeking asylum in our country. We are processing Iraqis faster than any other nationality and the pace is increasing. At the same time, we have to remain thorough in our screening procedures, so terrorists and criminals do not exploit our refugee process to sneak into the country. DHS, U.S. State Department, and Jordanian officials are equally committed to this goal.
Thanks for reading.
Michael Chertoff
Labels: international partners, Iraq, refugees, security
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posted by DHS Journal at 1:56 PM | Links to this post
November 7, 2007
State of Immigration
This past August, in the wake of Congress’ failure to pass comprehensive reform, the Administration launched a series of major initiatives that are designed to secure our homeland by building on the progress already made against illegal immigration.
Yesterday, I delivered the first of a series of updates on how we are doing on this critical matter.
In previous journal entries, I detailed our work along our Southern Border, from building pedestrian and vehicle fencing to deploying thousands of new Border Patrol agents, along with National Guard members.
As we’ve put more fencing and boots on the ground, we’ve witnessed a 20% decline in cross-border apprehensions from the previous year, indicating that fewer people are trying to come here illegally. Financial remittances to Mexico have also declined, and we’re seeing fewer people in traditional border staging areas.
I want to talk to you now about similar progress we’ve made in interior enforcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested over 3,500 gang members and their associates this past fiscal year. ICE also added 23 fugitive operations teams, and reduced its fugitive case backlog by more than 35,000 individuals.
ICE has also cracked down on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. In fiscal year 2007, ICE made 863 criminal arrests, 4,077 administrative arrests, and obtained more than $30 million in criminal fines, restitutions and civil judgments as a result of worksite enforcement efforts.
We’ve made remarkable progress through stepped-up enforcement, but an enforcement-only approach does not fully address the illegal immigration problem. That’s why we’re giving employers better tools to verify their workforce and comply with the law. More than 24,000 companies were enrolled in E-Verify (our web-based system that allows employers to check if a worker is authorized to work in this country) this past fiscal year, and today, that number is 30,000.
In addition to providing tools for employers, we must also acknowledge that many of our economic needs are met by foreign workers. We must have effective legal channels for employers to hire temporary workers when American workers are unavailable, especially in the agriculture industry. That’s why we’re working with the Department of Labor to strengthen and streamline the H-2A Agricultural Seasonal Worker Program.
Some critics suggest that the federal government lacks the will to enforce the law. The record shows that criticism is untrue. But what is true is that we’ve had to fight lawsuits and special interests every step of the way, because some business and advocacy groups favor a silent amnesty and the status quo over enforcing our laws. My commitment is that we will not back down.
Thanks for reading.
Michael Chertoff
Labels: ICE, immigration, immigration enforcement
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posted by DHS Journal at 3:55 PM | Links to this post
November 5, 2007
Marine Safety and Security--Two Sides of the Same Coin
Since the attacks of 9/11, the Coast Guard has adapted to meet the growing needs of the nation and the challenges surrounding new and evolving threats of the 21st century. We have grown and taken on new missions while moving from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security. Some members of Congress and within the commercial maritime industry have expressed concern recently that the Coast Guard’s emphasis on protecting the homeland from terrorism detracts from other Coast Guard missions, like our marine safety program.
I am committed to our long-standing legacy missions as much as I am to our expanded homeland security mission, especially since marine safety and security are not mutually exclusive. They are both vital to our national interests and must be closely coordinated to be effective. The fact is, safety and security are two sides of the same coin. It is precisely that paradigm that makes the Coast Guard so effective and efficient. We employ a unique combination of military, humanitarian, and federal law enforcement authorities and capabilities to keep our waterways and critical maritime infrastructure safe and secure. Our greatest strength is our responsive, flexible and adaptive character. We are always ready – for all maritime threats and hazards.
In the past six months alone, Coast Guard men and women have responded to the call for help on the high seas from mariners and ships hailing from across the globe – from the Bering Sea to the Gulf of Mexico. Like most emergencies at sea, these situations were complicated and required much more than simply rescuing mariners in distress. They involved crewmembers and cargos from around the world, as well as the potential for major oil spills.
Today, more than ever before, our safety, security and environmental stewardship missions are inextricably linked like the interwoven threads of knitted blanket. Remove one thread and the others begin to unravel.
Many of you may think of the Coast Guard as lifesavers and guardians. Saving lives is one of our first and proudest missions, but we believe preventing maritime disasters is just as important as responding to them when they do occur. The Coast Guard is a world leader in helping prevent accidents at sea and maintaining the security of cargo and ports. Our marine safety program is responsible for ensuring the safe operation and navigation of some 20,000 U.S. and foreign-flagged vessels.
Each year, Coast Guard inspectors conduct more than 70,000 domestic vessel inspections and 10,000 port state control exams to help safeguard maritime commerce, international trade and supply chain security. Trained investigators also conduct 14,000 casualty, suspension and revocation, and civil penalty cases annually to investigate marine accidents and violations. These investigations help prevent future maritime tragedies and leverage lessons-learned to make maritime commerce safer. All of these duties are carried out by a cadre of approximately 1,000 trained uniformed and civilian inspectors, investigators and port state control officers stationed all across the nation and around the world.
Our marine safety program needs to grow to keep pace with significant expansion in the worldwide maritime industry, and we are working toward that end. This August, I commissioned a review of our marine safety program and on September 25, I provided a comprehensive plan to Congress (Enhancing the Coast Guard Marine Safety Program). The plan outlines more than a dozen new initiatives under three broader program goals that I intend to pursue and implement with the support of Congress, in cooperation with the commercial marine industry. The first goal is to improve major marine safety program capacity, competency and performance. The second goal is to enhance service delivery to mariners and industry customers. The third goal is to expand outreach and advisory mechanisms for industry and maritime communities.
We are also modernizing the Coast Guard – improving our organizational structure so that in any maritime incident, we can get our folks where they need to be, with the right training and equipment, in the quickest way possible. To better serve the American public, we also brought together our rapidly deployable emergency response teams under one Deployable Operations Group command, whose skills and capabilities complement those of other Federal, state and local response agencies. Like the rest of the Coast Guard, these highly trained deployable teams carry out a broad range of safety, security and environmental protection missions.
As I told the Propeller Club of DC a few weeks ago, as we work to improve our Marine Safety program and our service delivery structure, we will remain focused on all of our core roles and missions. The Coast Guard will always be about protecting our citizens, our communities, the marine environment, and U.S. economic and security interests within our ports and inland waterways, along our coasts, and around the globe. Just as we have for 217 years, America’s Coast Guard will be there to keep all of us safe and secure.
Admiral Thad W. Allen
Commandant U.S. Coast Guard
Labels: Coast Guard, marine safety, security
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posted by DHS Journal at 6:55 PM | Links to this post
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This journal is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide a forum to talk about our work protecting the American people, building an effective emergency preparedness and response capability, enforcing immigration laws, and promoting economic prosperity.
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