Homework Responses Wk 5

The current threat, and highest threat to maritime operations is terrorism. Terrorism has been the greatets threat to all maritime operations, ashore and afloat for the last decade at least, if not longer, and will continue to be in the unforeseen future, whether physical terrorism or cyber, that may vary, still terrorism nevertheless. To meet this threat, training and implementation of prior proper planning is the only way to mitigate the threats. This can be viewed as a gap as well, because training can vary, depending on the organization heading the security within certain ports, private, federal, state, or local, etc. The training standards should be the same across the board, but typically are not. Terrorism pertains to all of the security aspects, the port itself, the personnel, as well as the containers. The containers possess an extreme vulnerability, as they are typically not seen at all times, screening all of them is an extremely daunting task, and can be overlooked at times if security personnel are not thorough. 

An important partnership in security with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is an extremely important partnership addressing security and can mitigate the threat of terrorism utilizing standards and personel from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection portion of DHS. Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is but one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program which recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. The Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 provided a statutory framework for the CTPAT program and imposed strict program oversight requirements. (Cbp.gov) 

Standards and forms of operating should be the same, or at least extremely similar across the board, nationally, as well as similar to ports run internationally with regards to security and security personnel training, planning, leadership training, etc. It should be a requirement that a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual be developed for the security force. Manuals of SOP’s are typical of places where security is paramount, the military, law enforcement, etc. The SOP should articulate the primary and recertification standards of force competencies. Specifically, the SOP should spell out in great detail all written directives and standards as related to security objectives, rules, policies, training requirements and the frequency needed to maintain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to maintain port security force competencies. (apus.edu/week 5 lesson) 

Resources Utilized: 

Apus.edu/week five lesson