(Need 500 word peer repose post 1 with two references and a question posed.)

When we think about what the future of Homeland Security reserves for the future in regards to Threats it’s always a gamble, that’s why DHS tries to stay prepared for what’s to come by keeping up with trends and technologies to protect the U.S. against any that can harm it. “There should be optimism for the future because of all of you. The smart, strategic thinking that can happen inside an institution like this to anticipate what might be a problem in the future—that type of thinking has always gone on in this place and will continue.” —Mike Anastasio. The challenges are out there and it goes from how to prevent and remediate problems with natural disasters, to preventing a terrorist attack, in the case of a natural disaster preventing measures are easier to be stipulated due to certain areas that are affected yearly around the same time , like hurricanes. In this aspect having a prevention plan is the best action, so investing money in this type of plan can save tons of lives and also save money on the aftermath . In the case of preventing a terrorist attack or a cyber attack, it is a bit trickier , but with technology and trained personnel watching and acting daily it should be something that I would say not 100% preventable but diminished by a lot. “Cyberthreats to federal networks and critical infrastructure are one of our most pressing national security challenges. We have seen advanced persistent threat actors, including cybercriminals, nation states and their proxies, increase the frequency and sophistication of malicious cyberactivity.” – Jeanette Manfra.

1 year from now:

The Biggest challenge would be a chemical or Radiation attack, I feel the US should have better equipment in our port of entries and also in our cities for Passengers and cargo and also the general population, and also verify what is leaving our country, for example :promising concept for a traffic-based radiation detector network concept deployed on roads/highways/stoplights/etc. The detector network concept is intended to help defend urban areas against nuclear attack by adversaries.( Cazalas, 2018).

5 years from now:

To keep up the challenging task of keeping our personnel and systems u to date to have our country secure from Cybersecurity threats. We have seen advanced persistent threat actors, including cybercriminals, nation states and their proxies, increase the frequency and sophistication of malicious cyberactivity. They are developing and using advanced cyber capabilities in attempts to undermine critical infrastructure, target our livelihoods and innovation, steal our national security secrets and threaten our democracy (Lohrmann,2019).

10 years from now:

To have the bureaucracy issues resolved so that agencies can work better within one another, I would say 10 years is a good time frame to have this issue fixed, but again let’s hope for positive things to come and also for nothing bad to happen to the American people.

Lohrmann. D (2019), On Cybersecurity: What’s Next for Homeland Security? Retrieved from: https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/cyber-security-whats-next-for-the-us-department-of-homeland-security.html

Cazalas, Edward. “Defending Cities Against Nuclear Terrorism: Analysis of A Radiation Detector Network for Ground Based Traffic.” Homeland Security Affairs 14, Article 10 (December 2018). https://www.hsaj.org/articles/14715

(Need 500 word peer repose post 2 with two references and a question posed.)

As we all are aware, especially those who do work for the federal government. The federal government in itself historically has been slow in getting things done. So many improvements can be done for each agency in itself. According to heritage.org it wrote out a few recommendations the next administration should consider. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security needs a lot of improving. It states the next Administration should:

• Create a more unified, standardized procurement and acquisitions process. This will require empowering the Chief Procurement Officer to drive these reforms.
• Provide more authority to centralized service components, such as the General Counsel, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Chief Information Officer (CIO), and International Affairs, over their respective component offices. Such measures should not exclude component heads from exercising their authority,but ensure that department-level directives are being carried out.
• Strengthen the DHS Policy Department to develop intra-agency policy, resolve disputes, and drive organizational change to make DHS components work as a more cohesive whole.

DHS needs to improve in their immigration laws. Although removing criminal aliens is an Administration priority, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported just over 63,000 criminal aliens from the U.S. interior in 2015, a decline of almost 60 percent from approximately 150,000 in FY 2011 (heritage.org).

Another big priority DHS needs to do is their vetting process. It seems as though there is a lot of loopholes in vetting different individuals whether that’s for getting different clearances or just vetting those who are illegal coming into the country. The refugee process is the most difficult method for entering the U.S., taking 12–18 months on average to complete. Background checks will query the State Department, DHS, FBI, National Counterterrorism Center, Interpol, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Department of Defense databases, although these checks are limited by the amount of intelligence available on individuals from war-torn and chaotic countries (heritage.org).

Remember when we discussed on how agencies those including federal, state and local side need to do better in sharing information with one another? Well that’s a huge issue with DHS currently. DHS needs to take additional action to forge effective partnerships and strengthen the sharing and utilization of information, which has affected its ability to effectively satisfy its missions. For example, the expectations of private sector stakeholders have not been met by DHS and its federal partners in areas related to sharing information about cyber-based threats to critical infrastructure (breakinggov.com).

Under the Department of Homeland Security is many sub agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration. Unfortunately, they don’t have the best equipment to really execute the agencies mission in protecting our travelers and borders. TSA is lacking in quality X-ray machines, equipment for its officers, etc.

DHS also faced difficulties in deploying some technologies that meet defined requirements. Further, DHS does not yet have enough skilled personnel in various areas, such as acquisition management; and has not yet developed an integrated financial management system, impacting its ability to have ready access to reliable information for informed decision making.

References:

Inserra, D. (n.d.). Top Four Homeland Security Priorities for the Next Administration. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/homeland-security/report/top-four-homeland-security-priorities-the-next-administration

Kash, W. (n.d.). The Three Core Challenges Still Facing Homeland Security Department. Retrieved from https://breakinggov.com/documents/the-three-core-c...