Module 5: Week 5: Preventing and Protecting Against Terrorists Attacks Discussion Board
(Due 07.21.22)
Based on your readings thus far from the text and your own research, discuss:
What are at least two pieces of legislation that can be used to combat terrorism?
What challenges face the intelligence community in their efforts to defeat terrorism?
What role does or should our borders play in the fight against terrorism?
List five structural and five non-structural mitigation strategies to protect or prevent
terrorism.
Liberty University
HLSC 610-D01: Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security
Week 5 Discussion Board: Preventing and Protecting Against Terrorist Attacks
Professor Richards
July 21, 2022
Combating Terrorism
Over the years, several legislations have been enacted to combat terrorism. Among these
legislations, the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required
to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism,” also known as the USA PATRIOTS Act and Transportation
Security Act, are two legislations that can be used to prevent, detect, and investigate terrorist
attacks, as well as prosecute them. The USA PATRIOTS Act was enacted to “prevent terrorist
attacks and enhance law enforcement’s ability to investigate and punish offenders” (McEntire,
2018, p. 158). For example, this Act set the path for federal agencies with intelligence services to
share information with each other, mandated new measures to prevent the funding and the
harboring of terrorists, eliminated the statute of limitations for terrorist acts, and emphasized the
need to protect civil rights and liberties of all Americans and condemn any acts of violence or
discrimination (McEntire, 2018; U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, n.d.).
The Transportation Security Act was enacted to strengthen the security of the transportation
system in the United States. This legislation improved the security measures of the transportation
system to prevent future attacks. Some security measures include intelligence gathering and
analysis, reviewing passenger manifest against terrorist watch lists, conducting canine searches,
and collaborating with other law enforcement and intelligence community (U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, 2022).
Defeating Terrorism
As terrorists become more creative in their operations, the demand for counter-terrorist
operations has also increased. Over the years, terrorists have refined their operational practices as
new technologies develop and become available to avoid detection. This poses a serious and
ongoing challenge to the intelligence community. McEntire (2018) offers five significant
challenges—the usefulness of intelligence products and limited human resources, inadequate
resources in technology, multiple intelligence services, safeguarding classified intelligence, and
tracking terrorist funds. The antiquated intelligence used during the Cold War is not as valuable
for homeland security (McEntire, 2018).
The intelligence community does not have sufficient human resources to infiltrate terrorist
organizations, including qualified linguists proficient in foreign languages and analytical
processes. Qualified linguists and analysts who understand Arabic, Islamic religion, and Middle
Eastern cultural practices are needed to translate, interpret, and analyze data written in a foreign
language (McEntire, 2018). While most of its work relies heavily on technology, the intelligence
community lacks adequate equipment and training to meet the demands for counter-terrorist
operations. Moreover, numerous organizations provide intelligence services, making
collaboration and coordination of activities challenging because of the ambiguities associated
with intelligence ownership. Safeguarding classified intelligence also challenges the intelligence
community because failing to share intelligence information with other intelligence service
organizations may hinder efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to terrorist attacks. There is also
a risk of intelligence information landing in the hands of terrorists. Gathering intelligence about
the funding source of terrorists also poses a challenge. Terrorists do not need a large sum of
money to operate. Terrorists can avoid using wire or bank transfers to prevent detection by
utilizing commercial express services such as FEDEX or DHL to send money (Wagner, 2007).
As such, the intelligence community may have difficulties tying funds back to a specific terrorist
organization, operation, or individual.
Border Security and the Fight Against Terrorism
Border security plays a significant role in keeping our nation safe and preventing illegal entries
into the United States at all points of entry. Thus, four main federal agencies are charged with
securing the United States’ borders—the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Transportation
Security Administration. To fight against terrorism, CBP prevents terrorists and terrorist weapons
from entering the country and provides security at U.S. borders and ports of entry (Haddal,
2010). The ICE’s role is to “detect and prevent terrorists and criminal acts by [investigating or]
targeting people, money, and materials that support terrorists and criminal networks” (Haddal,
2010, p. 3). The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for countering terrorist threats and maintaining
security against illegal drugs, weapons of mass destruction, and firearms, among others, in U.S.
ports (Haddal, 2010). The TSA’s role in the fight against terrorism involves protecting the United
State’s air, land, and rail transportation systems. Within TSA, the Federal Air Marshal Service is
responsible for “detecting, deterring, and defeating hostile acts targeting U.S. air carriers,
airports, passengers, and crews by [covertly] placing armed undercover agents in airports and on
flights” (Haddal, 2010, p. 4). However, while these four main federal agencies’ primary role is in
border security, other federal agencies are also involved in securing our nation’s borders.
Structural and Non-Structural Mitigation Strategies
Buildings are known to be the preferred targets of terrorist attacks. Hence, structural and non-
structural mitigation measures may be required to mitigate the potential risks to prevent or
minimize the impact of terrorist attacks. McEntire (2018) suggests some structural and non-
structural mitigation strategies.
Structural Mitigation Strategies
oInstall blast-resistant glass on buildings
oInstall cameras, alarms, and intrusion systems
oInstall or build bollards to restrict access to certain areas
oBuild walls or fences around critical infrastructures
oUse metal detectors and X-ray scanners to detect weapons and explosives
Non-Structural Mitigation Strategies
oConduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about terrorism and
preparedness measures.
oEnforce zoning laws
oEmploy security guards to monitor the foot traffic and unusual behaviors in
certain buildings
oConduct site inspections before a major event
oPlan for emergency response needs, like escape routes and medical care.
It is essential to note that terrorists seek maximum impact for their attacks; thus, they will
consider the level of protective measures at their target sites. As such, a risk assessment will need
to be performed to determine which protective measures are required to reduce the threat's
magnitude, the vulnerability to that threat, and the consequences of a successful attack (FEMA,
2011).
Biblical Perspective
This week’s scripture, Psalm 27:1-3, says, “the Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I
fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh, my adversaries, and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though any army
encamps against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arises against me, I will be confident”
(English Standard Version Bible, 2001/2016). The scripture reminds us to trust that the Lord will
provide protection and guidance during times of distress, and as stewards of His creation, He has
blessed the hands of those charged with protecting our nation
References:
English Standard Version Bible. (2016). EVC Online. https://esv.literalword.com/ (Original work
published 2001)
Haddal, C. C. (2010). Border security: Key agencies and their mission (RS21899). Version 11.
Congressional Research Service. (1-5) https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS21899
McEntire, D. A. (2018). Introduction to homeland security, 2nd Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf
version]. Retrieved from vbk://9781119430636
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2022). Transportation security
overview. https://www.dhs.gov/transportation-security-overview
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA].
(2011). Buildings and infrastructure protection series, Reference manual to mitigate potential
terrorist attacks against buildings (FEMA-426/BIPS-06). U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Infrastructure Protection and Disaster
Management Division. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/st/st-bips-06.pdf
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. (n.d.). USA Patriot
Act. https://bja.ojp.gov/program/it/privacy-civil-liberties/authorities/statutes/1281#:~:text=The
%20USA%20PATRIOT%20Act%20modified,1978%20(FISA)%3B%20and%20the
Wagner, A. (2007). Intelligence for counter‐terrorism: Technology and methods. Journal of
Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 2(2), 48-
61. https://doi.org/10.1080/18335300.2007.9686897
Discussion Responses:
Hi Charlene,
Great discussion post on this week’s topic. I agree that technology poses a challenge to the
intelligence community. The intelligence community has in its possession a large amount of data
available on terrorist organizations. The challenge is in processing and analyzing data written in
foreign languages. Wagner (2007) asserts that “the intelligence services of the United States and
other nations are still woefully deficient in language and related processing capabilities needed to
meet these challenges” (p. 52). Hence, the intelligence community will need to recruit qualified
linguists proficient in Arabic and other foreign languages, including analysts with experience in
data mining. Another challenge facing the intelligence community is access to terrorist
communications. Terrorists rely heavily on cell phones and the internet to communicate and
execute their operations worldwide. As a result, terrorists have been known to take preventive
measures to avoid detection. Examples of preventive measures include frequently changing SIM
cards and cell phones and masking their identities while using the internet. Terrorists have used
the internet to raise funds and launder money. For example, terrorists launder money through
several online gambling sites using stolen credit information; any winnings would be cashed in
and transferred electronically to an established bank account, making it appear legitimately won
(Jacobson, 2010).
References:
Jacobson, M. (2010). Terrorist financing and the internet. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 33(4),
353-363. https://doi.org/10.1080/10576101003587184
Wagner, A. (2007). Intelligence for counter‐terrorism: Technology and methods. Journal of
Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 2(2), 48-
61. https://doi.org/10.1080/18335300.2007.9686897
Hi Elizabeth,
Great discussion post on this week’s topic. I want to add to your discussion regarding the
challenges faced by the intelligence community. Over the years, the intelligence community has
made strides and significant improvements in its data collection, information processing, and
retrieval capabilities (National Research Council [NRC], 2011). However, the value of the
information collected depends on the capabilities of the analysts who receive it. Hence, one of
the challenges facing the intelligence community is recruiting qualified analysts who can meet
the organization's mission and adapt to the changing needs of the intelligence unit they are
assigned (NRC, 2011). McEntire (2018) also highlighted the need to adjust to the changing
environment to meet “intelligence shortfalls, insufficient information, changing priorities, new
leads, and unfolding needs” (p. 163). The NRC (2011) emphasized that these analysts must be
able to “consider new information against previous analyses, interpret and evaluate evidence,
imagine hypotheses, identify anomalies, and communicate their findings to decision-makers in
ways that help them fulfill their mission” (p. 8).
References:
McEntire, D. A. (2018). Introduction to homeland security, 2nd Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf
version]. Retrieved from vbk://9781119430636
National Research Council [NRC]. (2011). Intelligence analysis for tomorrow: Advances
from the behavioral and social sciences. Washington, DC: The National
Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13040.
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