Influencing Strategic Decisions
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Unit4IP.docxRunning head: DHS BUDGET 1
DHS BUDGET 4
DHS Budget Analysis
Dorothea Hooper
Robert Uda
Terrorism and Homeland Security Management
Jan 3, 2019
DHS Budget Analysis
The report aims to determine if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) priorities are aligned with department priorities. Over the years there has been a disorder on the budget process generally leading to weak guidance by Congress. Budgeting will help in the estimation of resources required in the future to support the DHS agency and its activities and programs. The agency will be able to identify and access other ways to effectively use in accomplishing of goals. Some of the priority has been good and various departments have received increases in their budget while others have taken large cuts.
Priorities that provide for the required capabilities for the U.S. to be safe from events such as cybercrime, terrorism, and natural calamities are to be considered. The Quadrennial Homeland Security review (HQSR) enables DHS to review and suggest recommendations that would further increase the collaboration within the department. The HQSR involves analytics in the preparatory and early phases during the review and senior awareness who should be made aware. Major quadrennial reviews such as the quadrennial defense review and quadrennial diplomacy and development review which are synchronized. QSR can succeed if the government continues to provide tools and technology to enhance policy making.
DHS has the responsibility of mitigating many threats and risk analysis elements are part of its mandate. There are a number of data analysis methods that DHS employs and one includes the search tools. The search tool allows for the analyst to compare two sets of data which in this case was the 2014 and 2015 budgets and HQSR documents (Boon, 2010). There is the exploratory analysis tool which helps in fully understanding the data available in order to make sense of it and decide the next step to include. The advanced analysis tool allows for the interpretation of data intelligently using statistics such as hypothesis testing.
The Quadrennial Homeland Security review (HQSR) is a strategy document for DHS and updated every four years. The 2014 HSQR updated from that of 2010 due to the strategic environment in which key players have evolved and matured leading to a more enhanced homeland security capabilities. The HQSR findings show a more collaborative departmental strategy, focused, planning and analytical capability of the DHS. There’s a number of responsibilities that DHS shares with many people across the state, federal, and territorial governments. The HQSR advocated for a public-private sector partnership since they are in constant contact with the public and bear the responsibility for public safety and security.
The Bottom-Up Review (BUR) produces results after an assessment of the DHS and its departments are done. The BUR aims to align the organizational structure and the various department activities with the goals and missions in the HSQR (Oliver et al., 2014). The BUR finding advocates for cohesiveness in National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) protection mission for physical and cyber infrastructure. BUR promises to release more resources and analytics that will improve on the identification of adversaries, promote education on emerging cyber threats, and advancing on strategies to deter adversaries. BUR indicates the need for new acquisition models and the development of cyber-security markets in the procurement process.
The President requested $38.2 billion for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 showing the commitment to continued security of America and the public. The FY 2015 budget reduced from that of 2014 by more than $ 1 billion. The budget offer focuses on three areas of homeland security which include cyber security, efficient risk-based security, and border control and immigration. About $ 1.25 billion was put into cyber security activities representing an increase from $792 million in 2014 due to the increased cyber-attacks. There was the addition of 2,000 customs and border protection officers and thus the expansion of the E-verify system which was budgeted for.
DHS departments use the HQSR in order to evaluate the current structure and programs and adjust accordingly. The HQSR provides for long term planning which helps in goal setting and alignment of resources leading to effective homeland security. BUR allows for DHS to make improvements on their current infrastructure used in vetting and screening of individuals (Weisbord & Janoff, 2010). The BUR identifies the budget plan that is needed to carry out activities of DHS. The FY 2015 budget for DHS was slashed compared to the previous years but DHS has been able to efficiently use the money that was on offer to increase surveillance and apprehend people deemed a threat to the U.S.
In conclusion, DHS should be given additional funds in order to employ more border protection personnel in order to fulfill its goal of protecting America and its citizens. The budget should include funding for programs which allow for families to be preserved and reunited. DHS should ensure that it works with all stakeholders especially the private sector which has an abundance of resources. Use of technology in the cyber security should be employed and the government should increase its budgeting for cyber security as criminals have become smarter in committing fraud through the internet.
References
Boon, K. E. (2010). Discerning President Obama's national security strategy. New York: Oxford University Press.
Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2014). Introduction to Homeland Security. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
Weisbord, M. R., & Janoff, S. (2010). Future search: Getting the whole system in the room for vision, commitment, and action. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
