There are many pressing issues as it relates to Homeland Security. There is an issue with border
protection, event security, water plants, cyberterrorism, agriculture, and food. All these areas are
vulnerable to a terrorist attack. The most pressing issue would be that of cyberterrorism and
border security. Cyberterrorism is the modern way of terrorism and can impact different parts of
the world simultaneously. This area is vulnerable because millions of people access the internet
daily. The threat against the cyber world or communications is vastly growing. Communication
is always a potential threat to the infrastructure. As cyberterrorism is amongst us, DHS is
constantly monitoring the potential threats. This process or operation has little to no room for
error, so the counterterrorism team must be diligent. The critical infrastructure sectors are
accessibly by criminal hackers due to it being controlled by technology.
What is Cyberterrorism?
The FBI defines cyberterrorism as a “premeditated, politically motivated attack against
information, computer systems, computer programs and data which results in violence against
non-combatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents (Cronin, 2019).” The threat of
cyberterrorism has grown ever more pressing in the past few years. Since Covid-19, cybercrime
is up 600% due to people falling for emails from cyber criminals claiming to be from the CDC or
the World Health Organization. They send a link in the email stating that it is an updated list of
current Covid-19 protocols and when users click on it, it creates a virus on their computer. Thus,
giving the cybercriminals access to everything on that computer. Cryptocurrency is also trending
and makes it easier for hackers to get personal information due to the vulnerability of users and
anonymity of cryptocurrency hackers.
The counterterrorism department needs to always be prepared for future or potential
threats. Terrorism can be an illegal immigrant coming over to carry out an attack on the United
States or a cybercriminal taking over and getting sensitive data. “The Department of Homeland
Security regularly uses drones, satellites, computers, sensors, artificial intelligence, and even
newer technologies to stop terrorist plots. DHS also studies these different technologies to learn
how to prevent them from being used against us” (Security D. o., 2021). Homeland Security
Chief Kirstjen Nielsen stated, “the agency was founded 15 years ago to prevent another 9/11. I
believe an attack of that magnitude is now more likely to reach us online than on an airplane
(Lynch, 2018).”
Border Security
Border security is one of the main threats we face today. The border in Texas is struggling to
maintain their borders from illegal immigration, human trafficking and smuggling of illegal
weapons and drugs. The surge in migration from Haiti and other locations through the Texas
border has caused a great concern for the Texas people. At one point there were more than 9,000
immigrants under the Del Rio bridge waiting to be processed. Border security is not only critical
for national security, but also for economic growth. “America shares 7,000 miles of land border
with Canada and Mexico, as well as rivers, lakes, and coastal waters around the country. These
borders are vital economic gateways that account for trillions of dollars in trade and travel each
year. Protecting our borders from the illegal movement of weapons, drugs, contraband, and
people, while promoting lawful trade and travel, is essential to homeland security, economic
prosperity, and national sovereignty. DHS has deployed unprecedented levels of personnel,
technology, and resources and has made critical security improvements to secure and manage our
borders (Homeland Security, 2021).”
The US-Mexico border has seen an increase in illegal immigrants coming across the
border. In 2020, the encounters decreased due to fear of the Covid-19 pandemic spreading, but in
2021 they skyrocketed. “The U.S. Border Patrol reported more than 1.6 million encounters with
migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border in the 2021 fiscal year, more than quadruple the number
of the prior fiscal year and the highest annual total on record (John Gramlich, 2021).”
Between the drug cartels and the people trying to escape the cartel, we see an abundance
of illegals. Not just immigrants, but drugs, guns, and human trafficking as well. We have sent the
Highway patrol, US Coast Guard, and Border Patrol to our borders to help keep the influx of
illegal activity and people from coming into the United States. There is still a lot of work to be
done. Building the wall helped curb some of the activity, but they always find a way under it or
over it to do their business or escape their circumstances.
This course taught me the importance of homeland security and heightened my
knowledge on why homeland security is vital to this country’s wellbeing. The United States is a
very vulnerable country with the critical infrastructure sectors and many points of entry for
terrorists to bring destruction on the U.S. This course also taught me the different entities within
DHS that were unknown to me. Job 34:2 reads “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you
men of learning (NIV)”. Proverbs 4:2 reads “I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my
teaching (NIV)”. Proverbs 1:5 reads “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the
discerning get guidance (NIV)”. Knowledge is power, without it you will not succeed. Learn all
that you can and use it to better yourself.
References
Cronin, C. (2019). The Growing Threat of Cyberterrorism Facing the U.S. Retrieved from
https://www.americansecurityproject.org/the-growing-threat-of-cyberterrorism-facing-the-us/
John Gramlich, A. S. (2021). What’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 7 charts. Pew
Research Center, 1.
Holy Bible
Homeland Security. (2021, October 28). Border Security. Retrieved from Department of
Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/border-security
Lynch, J. (2018). On 9/11 anniversary, DHS says cyber threat has eclipsed terrorism. Retrieved
from https://www.fifthdomain.com/civilian/dhs/2018/09/11/on-911-anniversary-dhs-says-cyber-
threat-has-eclipsed-terrorism
Security, D. o. (2021, November 3). Stopping Terrorism and Homeland Security Threats.
Retrieved from Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/employee-
resources/stopping-terrorism-and-homeland-security-threats
