Details of DHS Report on Fulfilling 9/11 Commission Recommendations
On July 22, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security released its 2011 progress report on fulfilling the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations for preventing and responding to acts of terrorism and other threats. The report lists DHS' current work as including an air cargo advance screening pilot, air cargo best practices, screening 100% of all air cargo on international inbound passenger aircraft, etc.
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Highlights of DHS’ Progress Since 2010 Progress Report
An overview of DHS’ trade-related actions since its 2010 progress report include (actions already announced in ITT are footnoted):
Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot. In December 2010, CBP, TSA, and the air cargo industry launched the Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot to share electronic shipping information for international flights to the U.S. prior to departure to improve the identification of high-risk shipments1.
Air cargo best practices. DHS also established a high level working group comprised of leaders in the express cargo and passenger airline industries, the U.S. Postal Service, IATA and the American Transport Association to develop new industry and government-wide best practices to secure cargo while ensuring the timely flow of cargo and mail1.
Screening 100% of int’l inbound. DHS is currently evaluating formal industry comment for a proposal to screen 100% of all air cargo on international inbound passenger aircraft, as a prerequisite to finalizing its strategy and timeline for implementing this requirement. As part of this effort, TSA will work with industry to leverage and enhance ongoing programs such as TSA‘s National Cargo Security Program recognition process, which certifies foreign aviation security programs that are commensurate with TSA standards2.
DHS Partnership with WCO. In January 2011, the DHS Secretary partnered with the World Customs Organization to enlist other nations, international bodies and the private sector in increasing the security of the global supply chain—outlining a series of new initiatives to make the system stronger, smarter and more resilient3.
In March 2011, the WCO also voted to make Project Global Shield, a multilateral law enforcement effort aimed at combating the illicit cross-border diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals for making improvised explosive devices (IED) by monitoring their cross-border movements, a permanent program4.
Nuclear detection. DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has radiation detection systems that now scan 100% of all containerized cargo and personal vehicles arriving in the U.S. through land ports of entry, as well as over 99% of arriving sea containers. Additionally, DHS has procured thousands of Personal Radiation Detectors, Radiological Isotope Identification devices, and backpack detectors to scan cars, trucks, and other items and conveyances for the presence of radiological and nuclear materials.
Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment. DHS has completed risk-based implementation plans for each of the 20 consensus recommendations of the Surface Transportation Security Priority Assessment (STSPA), addressing the potential risks to the surface transportation system. As of July 2011, 10 recommendations have been fully implemented and implementation of the others is underway.
International Port Security Program. To date, the U.S. Coast Guard’s International Port Security (IPS) Program, which assesses antiterrorism measures in foreign ports that conduct maritime trade with the U.S., has assessed over 900 port facilities in more than 150 countries.
Unified vision of global supply chain security. Agencies throughout the Obama Administration are working collaboratively to develop a unified vision for global supply chain security across air, land, and sea modes of transportation. The implementation of this strategy, which the Administration anticipates completing in 2011, will more comprehensively address risk than ever before. As this effort progresses, DHS continues its ongoing research and development work to address some of the limitations inherent in available technology and to explore innovative next-generation capabilities. For example, DHS is working to develop mobile scanning systems and technologies with enhanced penetration capabilities to strengthen the ability to detect illicit materials in very dense cargo. DHS is also working to develop technologies that can automatically detect and analyze suspicious anomalies within cargo containers, mitigating the need for more time-consuming and challenging approaches.
Southern border. The U.S. and Mexico have signed numerous bilateral agreements and declarations to bolster and deepen collaboration in the areas of enforcement, planning, information and intelligence sharing, joint operations, and trade facilitation along the Southwest border. DHS is also working with Mexican and other federal partners to implement Presidents Obama and Calderon‘s Declaration on 21st Century Border Management5.
Northern border. DHS has made important security improvements along the Northern border, and CBP currently has nearly 3,700 CBP Officers managing the flow of people and goods across ports of entry and crossings along the Northern border. In addition, CBP is using Recovery Act funds to modernize more than 35 land ports of entry along the Northern border to meet current security and operational needs.
In February 2011, the U.S. and Canada announced a "Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness" that sets forth how the two countries will manage shared homeland and economic security in the 21st century6.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 07/26/10 news, 10072623, for BP summary of its 2010 Progress Report.)
1See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/20/11 news, 11042017, for BP summary of CBP’s plans to enhance air cargo security after October 2010 incidents with explosives being shipped out of Yemen.
2See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/15/11 news, 11031519, for BP summary of TSA’s update on meeting 100% screening for inbound passenger aircraft.
3See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/31/11 news, 11013144, for BP summary of new WCO initiatives for supply chain security.
4See ITT's Online Archives or 01/31/11 neews, 11013141. for BP summary of DHS plans to lead an international effort to strengthen global supply chain security through Project Global Shield.
5See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/04/11 news, 11040404, for BP summary of CBP’s discussion of the 21st century border.
6See ITT”s Online Archives or 06/20/11 news, 11062005, for BP summary of U.S. and Canada discussions on supply chain security.