2 forum responses 150 words each:
Jennifer Pepe:
The first weakness is the same one that I stated in week one which is cyber. The cyber world is one that we are still trying to navigate through and I think that the fact that this world is always changing causing us to over think and try to stop too much. Cyber attacks are scary to those that do not know how to handle them or what type of damage that can be done. I do think that our country is headed into the right direction by upping our military's training on the topic and by making sure those that are hired in the Cyber World know how to combat the good, the bad and the ugly.
The second weakness is the fact that Homegrown Terrorism is still able to take our country off guard. I know that as a country we have a list that has all the possible terrorist on it and those that might be a person to watch but is that list enough? What makes that list the right one to follow? The people that are on that list did something or have been tracked by a government agency that placed them on the list. We need to keep the list updated and make sure that those that are on the list are still watched. The perfect example of this is the older brother of the brothers of the Boston Bombing he was on the watch list because he made contact through a chat room with Al Qaeda and someone moved him off the list saying that he was not a big enough threat. Sadly we know how that turned out which is why we need to make sure that list stays updated and changes as things changes.
The first strength is our airport security. This is something that we have tried with everything to adapt to since 9/11. Yes there has been some crazy situations that have occurred since security measures have changed. I think that our country as a whole do think that a lot of the measures are needed and they are put into place for everyone's protection. No matter who the president is since 9/11 their main goal has been to protect the American Public and since most American's do tend to have a fear of fighting since 9/11 there needs to be major security measures in the airport and on the plane.
The second strength is the departments that help with disaster relief and recovery. These departments such as FEMA and the American Red Cross come in and help families, cities and states after natural disasters and even man made disasters. If these types of departments were not in place there would be so many families and even cities that were not able to rebuild after large tornados or hurricanes that have completely leveled them. These departments have built themselves over and over again after each disaster and have adapted to every change. This is something that is needed when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security.
JASON MUELLER:
Throughout my studies in homeland security I have seen a lot of different techniques and ways the government utilizes in order to defeat transnational organization. In the sense of the strengths and weaknesses discussed, I personally feel that the DHS still has flaws. I do understand that for all of the strengths the DHS has they are gonna have some weaknesses. For all of the ways we use to try and prevent the illegal importation of guns, drugs, money, and people these crime organizations seem to find new ways around them. For every tunnel that we find from Mexico to the United States, there are two more that are being dug or utilized. The majority of the leaders of transnational crime are very well educated and have the ability to use use rational and advanced thinking in order to manipulate the systems in which protect our borders.
This manipulation may include but not limited to paying off personnel in the area in which illegal goods are being moved through the borders. This also may include avenues of approach such as tunnels, vehicles over land, air, and vessels over the water. These criminals are continuously testing our border patrol agents, and customs agents to determine everything from routines and what they do on a day to day basis. These organizations will have scouts watching at all times to see what these agents do while their patrolling. This is similar to the military and the areas in which we operate. The enemy is always watching to see if we set routines or do the same thing over and over. This could allow for possible ambush and could be catastrophic.
When it comes to the agents that protect our borders, the same rules apply. When we discuss strengths and weaknesses we know that no matter what we do as a Nation there will always be some form of weakness that unfortunately does not come to light until an incident has occurred. What the federal government has started implementing is sending undercover operatives through certain areas of security to see if they have the ability to defeat what we have done. For example, throughout the fiscal year the federal government will send people carrying various weapons through airport security to see if they have the ability to slip through. This is just one tool they use to see if the employees and technology are able to detect these personnel. In conclusion the United States is continuously improving their technology, training, and assets to ensure that the people of this nation stay safe against all enemies both foreign and domestic.