Homeland Security Final

HOMELAND SECURITY 1

HOMELAND SECURITY 9

Private Sector Homeland Security

American Military University

HLSS498

12 Dec 20

Abstract

The Department of Homeland Security has recognized the need to partner with the private sector given the private sector controls most of the critical infrastructure is controlled. Homeland security has also recognized the need for public and private sectors having a strong bond. This partnership and bond include having a synchronized risk management plan across the public and private sectors. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) isn’t limited to the public sector only and that’s why the private sector is being brought into the plan. Given the potential threats and vulnerabilities the private sector has been facing such as cybersecurity the Department of Homeland Security should come in and help safeguard the critical infrastructure of the nation. Given the percentage owned and protected by the private sector is eighty-five percent, the law enforcement can help this sector because it possesses information based on infrastructure threats. The private segment rendezvous program at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis has the mission of ensuring the owners and operators of this segment have enough knowledge and intelligence. Sharing of information is a great feature and facet in the Department of Homeland Security and partnership with the private sector because extensive details that are key to dealing with certain issues are present.

Introduction

The private sector is very vital on every nation, as it is in the United States. This is because this sector is a major contributor to the country's income. A lot of people stake in private sectors thus giving different people a chance to be employed. It's a great contributor in the development of urban regions. One of the federal agencies in the US known as Homeland Security ensures the country is kept safe from any kinds of threats. The DHS gives recommendations to the private sector on ways of preventing threats such as terrorism (Brody, 2020). As a way of ensuring security and safety for the private sector, there should be a robust program that involves the Department of the Homeland Security and the private sector. The purpose of doing this includes protecting the National Security and interests. This paper discusses how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the private sector relate and how Homeland Security is used in mitigating potential risks.

Literature review

The increase in terror attacks have had devastating effects in America and with the partnership of the Department of Homeland Security and the private sector these threats can be curbed. This partnership with stakeholders in the private sector is said to improve efforts of dealing and extenuating critical assets. The private sector includes stakeholders operating in communication and energy areas and can help in reducing national security cases (Department of Homeland Security, n.d). Some of the main crimes in the private sector include cyber-threats, thefts and destruction of property through terrorism acts.

The private sector Homeland Security through various departments can ensure such issues are handled and mitigated. Public safety includes response efficacy and time which means the Department of Homeland Security through the partnership with stakeholders at the private sector will act faster on matters concerning such issues and provide security for the public (Givens et al., 2018). Also, there will be recovery time will be reduced. This means that after a disaster has occurred, the Department of National Securities will have time to act and investigate a crime faster than it was ever done before. In cases where there are disasters and calamities such as earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes, Homeland security will ensure those involved are taken care of, or before the occurrence of such disasters, those involved in this department will help vacate people.

Since the Department of Homeland Security cannot work on its own to curb and mitigate presented threats, there has been deployed of various initiative including the private sector which has provided enhanced communication technology (Cellucci, 2018). The information technology industry has advanced and part of its advancement including invention of techniques and strategies that can help the Department of Homeland Security in dealing with matters concerning national security. This technology can help the DHS communicate communities and communicate with people in the different areas such as coordinators as well as legislators who can help in facilitating the law.

The United States among other nations have been facing problems on essential ways they should employ to deal with presented risks. Every segment within the private and public sectors is a great contributor to national security matters. Each of the segments in these sectors should not show a blind eye to the Department of Homeland Security but should instead provide the needed information that can help in dealing with insecurity issues. For instance, the advanced technology has brought a lot of problems to these sectors but at the same time, there is much progress which can help in dealing with such issues. The internal sector Homeland Security should be acquainted with such skills and knowledge that can help deal with issues facilitated by the advanced tech such as cyber-threats.

Methodology and research

The Department of Homeland Security shouldn’t be given any doubt especially when there is a strong partnership that bonds it with the private sector. This paper employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The research was done in various private organizations to determine the role of the Department of Homeland Security. Personal interviews which included asking managers and directors in various private organizations were conducted. The interviews included questions on threats that have been hindering operations in the sector and how Homeland Security has been of help and how the entrepreneurs and stakeholders under this sector are willing to partner with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure such threats are curbed. Through quantitative methodology, data collected concerning threats was analyzed. Questions asked included asking these private organizations how they have been dealing with such threats and ways they have been dealing with them.

Analysis and findings

The private sector has been under a lot of threats because the sector has advanced infrastructure. This means that many criminal gangs have been targeting this sector which is the reason the Department of Homeland Security should be involved. McAleenan (2019) illustrates, the Department of Homeland Security is a key to ensuring the private sector can withstand as well as construct capabilities that are essential in curbing, extenuating, protecting, recovering and responding to potential threats (Hemme, 2015). The DHS with the help of organizations in the private sector can get improved due to the presence of unconventional tech that will help it handle most of these potential threats.

Additionally, the private sector Homeland Security will help deliver some of the basic needs such as food, water and clothing during emergencies. Most people in the private sector become vulnerable when there are threats and that’s why the DHS is needed. This includes having proper transportation of these materials form their bases to places of emergency. The Department of Homeland Security is at times susceptible because it lacks knowledge and essential skills that are helpful in tackling different issues (McAleenan, 2019). By getting in touch with the intelligence community, the Department of Homeland Security will have improved intelligence and information sharing which are key factors when dealing with certain issues concerning national security.

Since law enforcement and the private security sector have had great impact on matters concerning security issues, their relationship is still viewed relevant in fight against terrorism. This has been a great deal to Homeland Security. Since the private sector holds most of the country’s infrastructure, it has tried strengthening its security deals (Morabito & Greenberg, 2015).  The number of people employed by the private sector are many compared to those in the public sector and that’s why the Department of Homeland Security should come in and help out this sector.

Conclusion and recommendations

The real debate here includes why there should exist a strong bond between the private and public sectors and the Department of Homeland. With their partnership, there is heightened inventive and creative problem-solving strategies which are essential in dealing with issues and problems within the nation (Harrell, 2017). This is achieved through sharing of information and assets that are available and that can help deal with the presented threats. The Department of Homeland Security is a great deal in the nation and that’s why it is essential for the department to keep in touch with the private sector to keep the country away from potential threats and issues.

References

Brody, M. H. (2020). Enhancing the Organization of the United States Department of Homeland Security to Account for National Risk. Homeland Security Affairs, 16. https://www.hsaj.org/resources/uploads/2020/04/hsaj_V16_Enhancing-Organization_v2.pdf

Cellucci, T. (2018). Perspective: Innovative Public-Private Partnerships Help Secure Critical Infrastructure, published by the National Security today, 27 Nov 2018. https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/infrastructure-security/perspective-innovative-public-private-partnerships-accelerate-technology-and-secure-critical-infrastructure/

Department of Homeland Security. (n.d). Private Sector Engagement. DHS. https://www.dhs.gov/private-sector-engagement

Givens, A. D., Busch, N. E., & Bersin, A. D. (2018). Going Global: The International Dimensions of U.S. Homeland Security Policy. Journal of Strategic Security, 11(3), 1–34. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26538515

Harrell, B. (2017). The private sector is the key to success for the Department of Homeland Security. csooneline. com. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3161793/the-private-sector-is-the-key-to-success-for-the-department-of-homeland-security.html

Hemme, K. (2015). Critical infrastructure protection: Maintenance is national security. Journal of Strategic Security, 8(3), 25-39. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26465242?seq=15#metadata_info_tab_contents

McAleenan, K. (2019). STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR COUNTERING TERRORISM AND TARGETED VIOLENCE. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0920_plcy_strategic-framework-countering-terrorism-targeted-violence.pdf

Morabito, A., & Greenberg, S. (2015). Engaging the private sector to promote homeland security: law enforcement-private security partnerships. Washington: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/210678.pdf