Homeland Security Watch

Another point of view about border security, from the Onion News Network: “America’s Finest News Source.”

Before you start the new week, if you took an early holiday please take some time to read the post and comments generated last Thursday, July 2 on a possible role for accreditation in homeland security education.

Following are a few homeland security events for the coming week.  For more information  access the embedded links.  Please use the comment function to identify other events you would like to bring to readers’ attention.  If you are attending or monitoring any of these events, please use the comment function to report out to the rest of us.

Monday, July 6

12  noon (eastern) Middle East Institute hosts a discussion of the current situation in the Swat Valley and Waziristan.

1:00 pm (eastern) Rockville, Maryland, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards ACRS Subcommittee on Radiation Protection and Nuclear Materials.

Tuesday, July 7

10:00 am (eastern) Washington D.C., Senate Committee on Commerce Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard conducts a  hearing on U.S. Coast Guard Oversight.

12:15 (eastern) Washington D.C. , Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosts a discussion on “Al-Qaeda in Yemen.”

1:30 pm (eastern) Rockville, Maryland, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Future Plant Designs Subcommittee

Wednesday, July 8

Meeting of the full Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, continues through Friday.

9:30 am (eastern) Washington D.C., National Archives and Records Administration; Information Security Oversight Office. Meeting of the Public Interest Declassification Board to solicit public input concerning recommendations and proposed revisions to the classification and declassification policies found in Executive Order 12958.

10:00 am (eastern) Washington D.C., Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducts a hearing on the Federal Protective Service.

10:00 am (eastern) Washington D.C., House Committee on Science and Technology conducts a hearing on reauthorization of the FIRE grants program.

10:00 am (eastern)  The House Committee on Homeland Security will hear testimony from the FEMA Administrator and the FEMA IG.

3:30 pm (eastern) Washington D.C., The New America Foundation hosts a discussion on “Strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention.”

Thursday, July 9

8:30 am (eastern) Bethesda, Maryland, National Flu Preparedness Summit opens

10:00 am (eastern) Washington D.C., House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform conducts a hearing on Mexican drug cartels and national security.

Friday, July 10

9:00 am (eastern) Washington D.C., The United States Institute of Peace hosts a discussion on “Negotiating with the Taliban: Reconciliation in Afghanistan and Pakistan?”

12 noon (eastern) Washington D.C., The Center for National Policy hosts a discussion on ”Guarding the Gateways: Latest in Port Security.”

2:00 pm (eastern) online, Meeting of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.  Will consider  objectives for 2020 to develop  health promotion and disease prevention strategies to improve  health status and reduce health risks. To register log on to http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/advisory/default.asp.

The following is excerpted from a letter of Thomas Jefferson dated June 24, 1826 regarding the upcoming celebration of the 50th anniversary of declaring independence.

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May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.

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This was the last letter written by Mr. Jefferson who died ten days later on July 4.

The complete letter is available from the Library of Congress.

   Secretary Napolitano with Prime Minister Gilani

As Secretary Napolitano began her day in Islamabad, a suspected US drone attack is said to have killed several Taliban leaders in Pakistan and taken out an insurgent training and communications node.

While US assets targeted South Waziristan, the Pakistani Air Force was pounding North Waziristan.

The Pakistani military operation along the Afpak border received a positive assessment from a typically skeptical British observer.  But meanwhile in Washington a respected Pakistani commentator says the Pakistani army is not yet ready for a full offensive  in South Waziristan.

A principal target of current US and Pakistani operations along the Afpak border is Baitullah Mehsud.  Yesterday afternoon the Washington Times reported, “Pakistan’s top Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, is buying children as young as 7 to serve as suicide bombers in the growing spate of attacks against Pakistani, Afghan and U.S. targets.”

(A late afternoon July 3 report in the Washington Post provides a good overview of the same issues covered in the early morning post above.)

UPDATE: CNN is reporting on the Secretary’s meetings in Pakistan’s capital:

The Pakistani government’s crackdown on the Taliban has helped U.S. security, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday.

“The key concept is, you just can’t start protecting the homeland at the borders of the United States,” she said.

Napolitano said she was in Pakistan to discuss with Pakistani leaders the fight against terrorism, as well as how the two countries share information.

SECOND UPDATE:  The Pakistan newspaper DAWN is reporting:

Pakistan on Friday has again called for fencing its border with Afghanistan to effectively stop illegal crossings especially of militants to its territory.

The government of Afghanistan has consistently opposed the erection a fence on the border between two countries.

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the US Secretary for Homeland Security Ms Janet Napolitano who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon.

(Read more coverage of the Secretary’s meetings in Islamabad by DAWN.)

  Committee of Five presents Declaration to the Second Continental Congress

A Declaration of the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress assembled.

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station to which the laws of nature & of nature’s god entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the change.

We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independant, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new government, laying it’s foundation on such principles & organising it’s powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety & happiness. prudence indeed will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light & transient causes: and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. but when a long train of abuses & usurpations, begun at a distinguished period, & pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to subject them to arbitrary power, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government & to provide new guards for their future security…

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The complete first draft is available from the Library of Congress.

The final draft of the Declaration of Independence is available from the National Archives.

I have the good fortune to work at the Naval Postgraduate School with smart people who have lots of ideas about how to improve this activity called homeland security.   This post is the first of what I hope is a recurring series intended to share some of those ideas on this blog.  I’ve asked those who contribute to this series to follow the format you’ll see below.

Today’s post is from Dr. Matthew J. Blackwood,  the Homeland Security Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.  Matt outlines an argument — one that has broad support among relevant educators — in favor of accrediting homeland security educational programs. (That said, the ideas are Matt’s and do not necessarily reflect any organization he is affiliated with.)

As Matt knows, I disagree with him about the need for accreditation and the process he outlines for deciding what counts as quality in homeland security education.  But those disagreements are for another time.  First, a succinct and in many ways compelling case for accrediting homeland security educational programs.

1. What one sentence best describes your idea about how to improve homeland security?

A standard curriculum and accreditation process for under-graduate and graduate programs focusing on homeland security will assure quality control.

2. Describe your idea in more depth

Homeland security requires a broad understanding of numerous related fields; there are no standards for the various programs across the United States. In order to prepare homeland security professionals for these challenges, the colleges must offer a curriculum specifying necessary skills and knowledge. While many institutions may have quality programs of study, prospective students or future employers are unable at this time to ascertain the quality. An accreditation process would establish a consistent method of evaluating the curriculum.

The homeland security accreditation process could model that of the ABET[1] which evaluates engineering programs. This process would accredit programs only—not degrees, departments, colleges, or institutions—homeland security programs would follow a specialized accreditation process that examines its specific curriculum. This approach would be similar to that for architecture, medicine, and engineering programs.

Accreditation would be voluntarily initiated by the institution. The purpose should be two-pronged with both internal and external assessments. When an institution of higher education requests an evaluation of its homeland security program, a self-study process begins to determine whether students, faculty, curriculum, and institutional support meet the established criteria. That document would then be submitted to an agency composed of professionals in homeland security for their review. An on-site visit would audit the program with a final report declaring the status of accredited, accredited with provisions, or denied.

The most important consideration is that professionals must establish the criteria by which the programs are evaluated. These standards should reflect what is deemed as necessary skills for homeland security education. Accreditation is important for many reasons:

· Accreditation helps prospective students choose quality college programs.

· Accreditation enables employers to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared.

· Accreditation gives colleges and universities a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of their programs.

3. What problem or issue does your idea address?

Colleges and universities are preparing leaders for the myriad of challenges associated with homeland security. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, 2001, many colleges began offering courses and programs to support the homeland security efforts of the United States.[2] Early in the developmental stage there was no agreed upon definition of homeland security and even less agreement related to the courses included in a homeland security curriculum. Working on this problem will address two related issues: (1) establishing a curriculum which offers standard skills for homeland security professionals and (2) developing an accreditation process to evaluate college and university programs. Currently, it is impossible for prospective students to determine which programs offer the proper preparation for a career in homeland security, and it is not feasible for employers to identify a quality program. An accreditation process would establish a consistent method of evaluating the curriculum.

4. If your idea were to become reality, who would benefit the most, and how?

Three groups would benefit from accrediting homeland security programs: students, schools, and homeland security professionals. Students would likely gain the most because they would be guaranteed preparation in the skill sets necessary to succeed in the field. The schools could benefit if the accreditation process were rigorous enough to set them apart from other programs; many programs simply take courses presently offered in other programs and revise them with a homeland security twist.[3] In this respect, the accreditation could be used as a marketing tool and would likely increase their enrollment. Current homeland security professionals and employers would also benefit because accreditation in any profession carries with it status of adequate preparation. Ultimately, accreditation assures that a program has met quality standards set by the profession. All of these groups would benefit if homeland security programs were accredited because the process insures that minimum qualification and standards are achieved.

5. What are the initial steps needed to get the idea off the ground?

The body to fulfill the role of accreditation is the Homeland Security Defense Education Consortium Association (HSDECA).[4] This organization is comprised of academic institutions which offer degrees or certificates in homeland security. Currently, the accreditation process is under development and will begin once approval is granted by the U.S. Department of Education. It is expected that this process “will play a significant role in the cohesion and regulation of homeland security studies across the nation.”[5]

The next step would be to develop a consensus on the standards for homeland security programs. Programs around the country rely on the curriculum established by the Center of Homeland Defense and Security; the University and Agency Partnership Initiative supports this initiative.[6] Members of HSDECA must work together to develop the standards; they will also provide the professionals who evaluate the programs and create the tools necessary to make sure that programs meet the standards.

6. Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented. How would you measure that outcome?

The desired outcome of this initiative would address both the creation of a standard list of skills for homeland security professionals and development of an accreditation process to evaluate college and university programs.

HSDECA will serve as the accreditation-body to create a process for evaluating homeland security programs and provide those programs meeting standards with a seal of approval. Schools would voluntarily ask for their programs to be considered for accreditation. This accreditation could be used as a marketing tool in an effort to set their programs apart from other schools. In order for this certification to carry status, the standards need to be set high.

The end-state of the accreditation would be a process that enables students to choose a quality homeland security program, permits employers to recruit graduates who are well-prepared, and gives schools a mechanism to review, evaluate, and enhance the quality of their homeland security programs.

[1] ABET changed its name from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology in 2005.

[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080300696.html

[3] Rollins, J. & Rowan, J. (2007). The homeland security academic environment: A review of current activities and issues for consideration.

[4] Supinski, S. (2009). Homeland Security Education: The CurrentState. Retrieved from: https://www.chds.us

[5] http://www.chds.us/?press/summit08, ¶ 4.

[6] Supinski. S. (2009). Personal Interview. June 9, 2009.

 By Peter J. Brown

Besides its recent decision to terminate the National Applications Office (NAO), DHS/FEMA — along with NGA — has several other satellite-related issues that warrant immediate attention.

The first responders we were in touch with recently use satellite communications (satcom) equipment routinely in their assigned missions, and they want DHS to hear their concerns. It is clear that from the standpoint of satcom operations and training, improvements are in order. By the way, we were also in touch with an MIT-trained professional space systems engineer who served as an instructor for a satcom training course attended by a team of first responders as well.

First, DHS has no single point of contact which handles satcom questions for first responders. Or if one exists, it is not well known.

“Yes, I agree that a single point of contact at the Federal level for satcom questions would be of great benefit,” says one tech specialist who supports a rapid response team on the East Coast.

Second, while satcom appears to be a simple and straightforward solution, these first responders report that there are many issues that make satcom not as user-friendly as it could otherwise be.
 
- High recurring costs restrain or even prevent many first responders from utilizing the equipment.
- Satcom usage fees are increasing — with some service providers — while available bandwidth is being reduced in some instances.
- Teams need to be more highly trained, and more technically proficient in the use of satcom including troubleshooting when higher level satcom activities beyond simple remote Web access are underway. (“I would say that the grasp is getting firmer, but is not as firm as it should be,” says one first responder.) Radio over IP, Voice over IP and video streaming warrant further training.
- Only a finite pool of people tend to have a complete understanding of the entire scope of the communications network end-to-end.
- Many if not all federal agency and DoD satcom systems use firewalls that prohibit first responders from utilizing their systems.
- When NGA makes an effort to provide GIS data to first responders, more often than not, it only supplies low resolution, dated imagery. The ability to access real or near real time imagery is still a major challenge.

The good news is that a terrestrial alternative — Cellular 3G technology — has seen a notable improvement in availability and use over the past year or so.  This includes redundancy – dual carrier service options (AT&T / Sprint) or failover to one if the other is not available in an area. 

Our instructor recommends that response teams should meet with a representative for the service provider(s) to explain specifics of the network, troubleshooting options, etc. Besides providing specific technical resources for troubleshooting in the field, this could greatly assist the team to improve its set up.

By the way, DHS needs to be aware that occasional denials of service due to the high volume of traffic in the aftermath of an emergency are being reported. Perhaps DHS — and the FCC too — needs to sit down with first responders, disaster assistance teams and service providers to establish a WPS or GETS-type high-priority service channel / policy for satcom users.

One first responder reported that he could not get a special category designation, or a “Fair Use Policy” waiver on short notice to override limits on bandwidth usage. This is very restrictive and upsetting for emergency users in particular since a few minutes of video or a bundle of aerial image downloads can quickly exceed the contractual cap in question. Because unexpected service interruptions in the middle of operations can occur for reasons such as unannounced software upgrades too, our instructor thinks it may be useful to develop a guidebook that would walk a team through negotiating their service contracts to avoid similar pitfalls.

Otherwise, one first responder points out that DHS, FEMA and NGA also need to do a better job of addressing the satcom “culture gap” or what is simply the fact that in the field, federal agency employees and local first responders have completely different needs.

“We just need basic information in a one or two shift operation, and we need to have the complete response quickly in the first request cycle, and not after 3 requests have been made and 36 hours have passed,” says one first responder.
 
While first responders are well versed in IP and even IPv6, cybersecurity is not a top priority. In fact, our instructor reports that in one 6-hour session, “I don’t recall cybersecurity ever being brought up; rather, the team seemed mostly concerned about physical trailer security. In other words, they didn’t want people to enter their trailer and steal their equipment.”

DHS might find this observation troubling.

Finally, with this year’s “Amateur Radio Week” drawing to a close this past weekend, this satellite guy want to salute all the members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) who contribute so much of their time as volunteer communications personnel in emergency situations large and small. These people ensure that vital ham radio services are available on short notice whenever needed. They are truly the finest kind of first responders.

  Geography of the Afghan-Pakistan militant nexus from the BBC

Pakistan’s plan — hope? — to isolate Baitullah Mehsud has unravelled.  Over the last few days two other warlords have decided to leave the sidelines and join the fight against the government in the FATA.

Hafiz Gul Bahadur in North Waziristan and Maulvi Nazir in South Waziristan have each renounced previously negotiated peace-deals with Islamabad.    (Read more from the BBC.)  The tribal leaders have initiated attacks on Pakistan’s military forces still  massing for operations against Baitullah’s tribal heartland in South Waziristan. (Read more from LongWarJournal.)

This strategic set-back for Pakistan could, however, offer some tactical benefits to the 4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division  deployed immediately across the border from North and South Waziristan.  Both Bahadur and Nazir have used their peace-deal with Pakistan to deploy more forces into Afghanistan.  The leaders are reportedly calling these resources home for battle against the Pakistan army.

Read more on recent operations in Eastern Afghanistan from LongWarJournal and  Stars and Stripes.

Read more on the new US strategy in Afghanistan from Reuters.

UPDATE: USA Today is reporting that a US soldier is missing and may have been captured in Eastern Afghanistan.

Despite the end of flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, the incidence of H1N1 continues to increase.  Over 1 million Americans are now estimated to have the virus. Several jurisdictions, including Washington D.C. and Wisconsin, are seeing an unusual number of cases of summer flu linked to H1N1.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the H1N1 virus is displacing the former seasonal strain.  Late yesterday the Buenos Aires region joined four other Argentine provinces in declaring a health emergency.  Schools  have been closed and other social distancing tactics are being implemented. Argentina’s response to the virus has been delayed and complicated by a national political campaign that concluded with an election on Sunday.  (More from the Buenos Aires Herald)

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy has released a helpful round-up of good practice guidance for pandemic preparedness.  The Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering workshops to help businesses prepare for pandemic.

Every Friday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update US laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 at its FluView website.

UPDATE: Good late Wednesday overview of the situation in the Southern Cone from the Associated Press.