Information Sharing
Information sharing environment among agencies was established by the United States Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act in 2004. The information-sharing information-sharing environment provides the agencies with information on security in the nation to ensure national security. Information sharing weaknesses was the main factor that contributed to the lack of preparedness during the September 11, 2001, attacks.
The efforts of the federal government in sharing information on terrorism with local and federal law enforcement agencies aims at creating preparedness to prevent terrorism and how to respond in case of terrorist attack. The initiative is based on trust among the agencies in sharing information on terrorism. The agencies are committed to detecting, preventing and mitigating the effects of terrorism (Ritter et al, 2007).
The federal government works together with the states and local government in sharing information on considered suspicion of terrorist attacks. The agencies are also trying to put up a national wide process of reporting suspicious activities that may lead to terrorism.
The Department of Homeland Security classified information sharing as a high-risk area because the federal government was facing challenges in sharing information accurately and timely for timely preparedness against terrorism. It reported that information sharing is an important tool in ensuring national security. The Department of Homeland Security continues monitoring the federal government on information-sharing efforts.
The state and local law enforcement agencies receive information from the federal partners and these create awareness on the border crimes and threats of terrorism. The federal agencies are acting by helping the fusion centers to develop border intelligence groups to create awareness in the community of the crimes and terrorist threats. This helps the local and tribal agencies of the border communities to know threats they should report, the process of reporting the suspicion and to who they should report. This is important for the security office to be prepared on time and disrupt the threat before the attack (Ritter et al, 2007).
U.S. Government Approach to Push Back Borders for Cargo Security
The attack of September 11 made the anti-terror initiatives to be created to enhance security. Border security is maintained to prevent terrorism attacks at the early stage as possible. The U.S government implemented in cargo security programs to push the borders outward to detect threats before they get to the U.S. The containers security initiative was formed to push the borders of U.S outward so that the shores of U.S would be the last line of defense of the cargo and not the first. The CSI proposed investigating and identifying cargo suspected to be a threat at the foreign ports before they leave. Qualified personnel were employed and technology applied in inspecting the cargo. The use of new technology that is computerized is being used to screen cargo suspected to carry terrorism weapons (Ritter et al, 2007).
The customs border protection also deployed its personnel and equipments at the borders to conduct inspections on cargo entering the U.S to enhance security. The CBP cooperates with foreign governments to allow them to inspect cargo in their ports before they leave and in return, they would inspect cargos in the U.S before they leave. CSI was formerly announced in 2002 by Commissioner Bonner and Netherlands joined later. Many countries have since joined it to prevent terrorism through border inspection.
Another approach the US government has used to push border back is by encouraging the customs trade partnership against terrorism. This encourages the private sector to secure their cargo from origin to destination. They are supposed to submit information about their cargo before they land (U.S. Customs &Border Protection, 2011). The U.S government has been using these programs to ensure cargo security through pushing the border back to protect the U.S from terrorism attacks and crimes.
Reference List
Ritter et al, (2007).Securing Global Transport Networks. New York: McGraw Hill Professional.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (2011). National Terrorism Advisory Systems. Web.