Port
Security
According
to the department of homeland security, port security refers to defending and
enforcing laws and treaties and combating terror activities that lie within the
maritime and port domains (Christopher, n.d.).
The collaboration of port security and enforcement operations is mainly
done on an international level. It involves the protection of seaports,
activities taking place at the port have to be protected, and this include the
inspection of cargo and other maritime activities. The operations and the rules
governing the collaboration are mainly formulated and issued by the
international maritime organization. There is a security code known as the
international ship and port facility code. The code oversees the operation of
the port and the activities that accompany the operations of the port. As such,
there are certain challenges that arise in the management of the port and the
entire collaboration.
Major
challenges that can be cited include the global de-factor programs that were
formulated in the United States and adopted for use in the ports around the
world. The trading partnership against terrorism and the container security
initiative can be seen as some of these challenges. The failure of a
coordinated collaboration of these activities in ports around the world poses a
threat to the security of ports not only in the United States, but also around
the world. If these challenges are not resolved promptly, some security threats
are imminent among which include dirty bombs. A dirty bomb is a radiological
weapon that is deployed with the aim of contaminating the area with radioactive
material (Frittelli, 2008). The result is the exclusion of the area affected by
the bomb from civilian inhabitation. The bomb makes use of conventional
explosives to produce a blast that is lethal to individuals and a following
hazardous environment not fit for living.
The
2012 DNI threat assessment details a number of priorities that details the
nation’s tactical and strategic response against terrorism. The main security concerns
include counterterrorism, cybersecurity, counter proliferation and
counterintelligence. The director of national intelligence incorporates the
major threats that are prominent in the United States in these four major
categories. The classification enhances the classification of the threats
facing the country from al-Qaida to cyber threats that is an evolving strategic
concern.
References
Christopher, K. Port security management (1st ed.).
Frittelli, J. (2008). Port and maritime security:
background and issues for Congress. Port And
Maritime Security, 11.
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