DHS Posts Status Report on Fulfilling 9/11 Commission Recommendations

Highlights of DHS’ actions taken to fulfill the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations include:

Risk-Based Plan for Transportation Security

In response to the recommendation that DHS develop a risk-based plan for transportation security, DHS has taken the following actions:

Importer Security Filing (10+2). In January 2010, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began enforcement of the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements interim final rule - also known as the “10 + 2 rule” - increasing the scope and accuracy of information gathered on shipments of cargo arriving by sea into the U.S. and bolstering DHS' layered enforcement strategy to protect against terrorism and other crimes at U.S. ports of entry.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/21/10, for recent BP summary on CBP’s July 2010 Update to its 10+2 FAQs.)

Air cargo screening. Currently, 100% of identified high risk international inbound cargo and 100% of total cargo on more than 95% of all flights originating from U.S. airports are now being screened. TSA is on track to meet the Congressionally-mandated 100% screening requirement for all air cargo on domestic passenger aircraft by August 2010. Effective May 1, 2010, 75% of cargo on passenger aircraft departing from U.S. locations are screened under TSA security programs, largely through the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP), which permits entities who have undergone rigorous inspection and certification processes throughout the air cargo supply chain to screen cargo.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/22/10 news, 10072217, for most recent BP summary on August 1, 2010 TSA deadline for 100% screening of cargo flown on passenger aircraft originating in U.S.)

Known Shipper program. Currently, there are over 1.5 million shippers in TSA’s Known Shipper Management System that that have been certified as meeting specific security standards.

Security grants for port infrastructure, TWIC, etc. In FY 2010, DHS provided $288 million in grants for the Port Security Grant Program—awarded based on risk—to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities, and support the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and an additional $150 million in Recovery Act funding.

Transportation Sector Security Risk Assessment. In June 2010, TSA provided to Congress the Transportation Sector Security Risk Assessment (TSSRA) report, a nationwide risk assessment that examines the potential threat, vulnerabilities, and consequences of a terrorist attack involving the Nation’s transportation system. This report will inform the risk-based development and maintenance of risk mitigation strategies and actions that include the development of security standards, grants, programs, countermeasures, and resource allocations.

Freight Railroad Security Risk Assessment. In June 2010, TSA submitted to Congress the Freight Railroad Security Risk Assessment and National Strategy report as required by the 9/11 Act¹. This report provides the results of a comprehensive assessment of the risk of a terrorist attack involving the Nation’s freight railroad transportation system. The report also includes a national strategy for railroad transportation.

Surface transportation protection. The Administration initiated a thorough review of existing U.S. surface transportation security efforts across all modes of surface transportation in 2009. The resulting Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment, released on April 2, 2010, identified interagency priorities for the next four years and provided concrete recommendations on how to enhance security efforts, maximize the use of partnerships to optimize public safety, facilitate commerce and strengthen the resiliency of our surface transportation system. DHS has completed risk-based implementation plans for each of the 20 consensus recommendations of the Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment addressing the potential risks to the surface transportation system and its four subsectors (mass transit, highways, freight rail, and pipelines), and initiatives are underway.

Improve Cargo Screening

In response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that DHS improve cargo screening, DHS has done the following:

Radiation portal monitors. CBP has deployed Radiation Portal Monitors and other radiation detection technologies to seaports, land border ports, and mail facilities around the world. These systems scan 100% of all containerized cargo arriving in the U.S., including 100% of vehicles arriving through U.S. southern border ports, over 99% of arriving sea containers, 100% of trucks and 100% of personal vehicles arriving at U.S. northern border ports.

Secure Freight Initiative. DHS has also implemented the Secure Freight Initiative to scan U.S.-bound maritime containers for nuclear material overseas and the Container Security Initiative (CSI) to ensure that all U.S.-bound maritime containers that pose a potential risk are identified and inspected before they are placed on vessels destined for the U.S.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/01/10 news, 10030125, for BP summary of DHS Inspector General’s report, recommendations for CSI.)

Canine Teams. Canine teams are an integral part of DHS’s layered approach to baggage and cargo security and are deployed by TSA, CBP and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in their respective environments. CBP deploys canine detection teams at and between ports of entry, expediting inspections along the border to combat terrorist threats and interrupt the illegal smuggling of drugs, currency, firearms, humans, and agricultural products. TSA deploys canine teams to screen air cargo at the nation’s highest cargo volume airports and provide explosives detection capabilities in the aviation, mass transit, and maritime transportation sectors. Finally, USCG deploys canine explosive detection teams to strategic U.S. ports to enhance security throughout the maritime transportation sector.

Nuclear Detection. DHS’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has worked with intra- and inter-agency partners to develop strategies for improving the probability of detecting and interdicting radiological and nuclear threats. Since its inception, DNDO has launched more than 250 research and development projects with National Laboratory, academic, and industrial partners, aimed at advancing detection technologies. DNDO has also made radiological and nuclear detection training available to over 15,000 state and local officers and first responders. In order to meet the challenge of the global 3 helium shortage, DNDO is aggressively bringing alternative technologies for helium 3 from concept to product through a rapid acquisition process, expediting new and innovative detection technology.

DNDO works across DHS to develop nuclear detection capabilities throughout the transportation sectors. TSA’s VIPR Program is currently working in conjunction with DNDO and DOE and has the capability to deploy preventative radiological and nuclear detection equipment to the field. CBP has deployed hundreds of Radiation Portal Monitors to ports of entry, airports and seaports to screen cars, trucks, and other conveyances for the presence of radioactive and nuclear materials. Finally, all USCG teams are now equipped with radiation detection capabilities, including USCG personnel specifically trained to board and search vessels.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/06/09 news, 09040625, for BP summary of DNDO testimony on container security challenges at cargo and container security hearing.)

Arrangement with UK on radiological, nuclear materials. In March 2010, DHS renewed a Project Arrangement “Concerning the Detection of Illicit Movement of Radiological and Nuclear Materials” with the U.K. to address information and data sharing between the countries in the development of radiation and nuclear detection equipment and technology.

Standardize Secure Identification

In response to the recommendation that DHS standardize secure identification, DHS has taken the following actions:

Drivers license security. Under DHS’s Driver’s License Grant Security Grant Program, states have made substantial progress in improving the security and integrity of their driver’s licenses and issuance processes.

DHS continues to work with states and territories, congressional allies, and the National Governors Association to enhance the security of driver’s licenses while reforming and resolving many of the concerns in the REAL ID Act through legislation.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/02/09 news, 09120230, for BP summary of Senate Committee report on the PASS ID Act (which would replace the “National ID” portion of REAL ID Act).)

Transportation Worker Identity Credential program. DHS has enrolled over 1.6 million port workers and merchant mariners in the Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) program, a tamper-resistant biometric credential issued to those who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels.

Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, Bottom Up Review

Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. In February 2010, the Department of Homeland Security published the first ever comprehensive review of the U.S. strategy for homeland security—the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). The QHSR identified five core mission areas of homeland security—preventing terrorism and enhancing security, securing and managing our borders, enforcing and administering our immigration laws, safeguarding and securing cyberspace, and ensuring resilience to disasters.

(The QHSR was mandated by the 9/11 Act¹. See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/03/10 news, 10020325, for BP summary of the QHSR.)

DHS Bottom Up Review. A bottom-up review (BUR) of the DHS was initiated in November 2009 as an immediate follow-on and complement to the QHSR. The BUR resulted in a comprehensive catalogue of DHS activities across the homeland security missions.

(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/16/10 news, 10071622, for BP summary of DHS’ bottom up review.)

See report for DHS actions to implement 9/11 Commission recommendations that DHS integrate border security into larger network of screening points that include the transportation system and access to vital facilities, provide incentives for information sharing, etc.

¹Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 1007 (Public Law 110-53).