Port security measures and implementation strategies

Port Security

JayEtta Hecker, the administrator of physical infrastructure matters provides a briefing on the challenges facing port security. He provides a testimony before the national security subcommittee, the international relations house committee and the veterans subcommittee. The main areas of discussion are on the critical factors that are likely to hinder the enhancement of seaport security. He starts by acknowledging the fact that concerns have been shifted towards airport security (Vesky, 2008). The government has not done enough in ensuring that the sea ports are secure and do not provide an avenue for entrance of terrorists and hazardous substances into the mainland. He also outlines that addressing the security threats has been complicated by the fact that most of the stakeholders have conflicting interests. Conflicting interests from government agencies at state, federal, and local levels have made decision making a difficult task hence leaving most of the ports including Tampa, vulnerable to attacks.

Hecter's testimony focuses on the vulnerabilities of seaports, the challenges that hinder the implementation of security and the initiatives that the various government agencies have adopted to ensure that port security is enhanced. He draws his comments from reports prepared on combating terrorism from September 11, 2001. The research on seaport security was conducted in various states in the United States reflecting risk and geographical dispersion. The seaports visited include Tampa, South Carolina, Boston, Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Washington, Tacoma and Honolulu (Vesky, 2008). He states that the information on the initiatives by the government agencies were obtained from the coast guard headquarters, the marine association and the American Association of Ports authorities.

According to Hecter's findings, most ports are vulnerable to attacks because of their sizes. Most ports are found in areas that can be easily accessible by land and water; they are located in urban centers that are often very busy. Although some ports have developed and the authorities can easily work to improve their security, most of them are vast, and have a number of businesses intertwined with unguarded access points. Most people desire secure ports and working environment. However, this is not easy to achieve since the country relies on fast movement of commodities from one point to another. Inspection of goods is a critical task since it will have a negative impact on the economy (Vesky, 2008).

Since the September 11, the private division stakeholders, state and federal agencies have really tried in addressing the challenge of vulnerability. For instance, the Coast guard has been used as the authority assessing and addressing any arising security concerns. The immigration, naturalization and the custom services outlined plans of screening those coming to the United States, and addressing matters on container security (Vesky, 2008).

Additionally, Hector urges that consolidation of the federal agencies will offer a long-term solution to the security challenges. However, this move faces some challenges that may obstruct its effective execution. The main challenges are implementing the standards that define the factors that should be implemented to safeguard port security (Vesky, 2008). Secondly, the authorities may not be in a position to estimate the finances required and how the resources will be obtained. From the research, it was established that the costs of addressing the security concerns are more than what is anticipated by many. Thirdly, it will be a challenge in ensuring that there is coordination and cooperation from all the stakeholders.

Hecter explains that achieving the much-needed cooperation is not easy as anticipated by many. There are many conflicts of interests deterring from working towards a common objective. There is no port in the United States that is similar to another in all regards. However, most of them have similarities that make them exposed to terrorism activities. These characteristics are concerning the functionality and the physical layout. For instance, most of the ports are large and can be easily accessed by land and water. The vast nature and easy accessibility makes it hard to realize security measures like those applied in airports (Vesky, 2008). The large amounts of materials that are transported via the ports provide an opportunity for more threats. Most ports are metropolitan areas with a combination of different modes of transport, and high concentration of passengers and high value cargo make the areas potential targets.

The various authorities plus government agencies have employed a number of initiatives to tackle the security concerns. For instance, they are now conducting a risk assessment for the seaports. This is an important initiative as it will paint a picture on the state of security in various ports and provide a foundation to security solutions. Secondly, the coast guard is strengthening surveillance in high interest vessels and passenger related operations (Vesky, 2008). These will boost the security of the ports since it will be easy overcome terrorism threats. Additionally, the coast guard has been assessing the security conditions over the past years. This is to provide a basis for proper security planning. Moreover, inspection of containers and prescreening of the cargo has also been enhanced.

The United States authorities are now working with the global trade community. The move is to ensure that those countries bordering the United States help in protecting it from acts of terror (Vesky, 2008). The above initiatives can only be realized if the challenged above are addressed. This will ensure that the issues of security are addressed with the agency they require. All the stakeholders have a crucial role in ensuring that the both the sea and airports are safeguarded.