Please prepare a response to each of the attached documents for total of 4 responses. The responses need to be at least 150 words each. The responses should be as if you are talking directly to the person.

Due in 24 hrs.

As we learned this week, surveillance is simply the act of watching another person, place or thing. Now what is an open source? Open source refers to a software program or platform with source code that is readily accessible and which can be modified or enhanced by anyone. Open source access grants users of an application permission to fix broken links, enhance the design, or improve the original code. Open source software efforts have been behind some of the most popular applications and operating systems available, including the Android OS for smartphones and the Firefox web browser. Open source relies on community engagement, trust, and permissive licensing strategies. Platforms developed and built on user collaboration work better and have less bugs. Software developers who encourage the open source concept believe that by giving any interested party access to modify a product’s source code, the application will be more usable and error-free over the long term. Say we protect a source that allows shoppers to buy and businesses to run. We want to make sure someone doesn’t hack into it and take the data and other personal information from the site. 

Mobile surveillance takes more time and training.  With fewer operative involved in conducting mobile surveillance, it tends to be more easily detected. Static surveillance takes place by having the operative remained in a fixed position in good view of the target location and one which “blends” in and is not only readily noticed but tends to not raise any suspicions as to their presence.  Technical surveillance uses technology. . 

Glenn McGovern. (2011). Protective Operations : A Handbook for Security and Law Enforcement. CRC Press.

Hello class,

Surveillance is something that we all must deal with on a daily basis in some way, shape or form. Social media, internet providers, and random people on the internet conduct surveillance on individuals for a multitude of different reasons. No matter the motivation, one thing that is always in common is the necessity to gather information about a target. 

Online open sources have become increasingly dangerous when discussing the divulging of personal information. One online open source that can compromise security of the principal is Facebook. For example, if a principal puts on their Facebook page where they work, who their family is, what places they go to for fun, and other important details, this can make it much easier for an adversary to formulate a plan against them. Another issue with this platform is that it can be hard to predict what information is being collected about an individual, and how easy that information is to access. There have been instances in the past of Facebook collecting personal information about people, such as their personality type and emotional patters without consent (BBC, 2019). These systems can be hacked or the Facebook account itself can also be hacked which is yet another security concern about using this app. Personal protection details should check to see how much information a principal releases about themselves on their own account in order to keep them secure. Even though the principal might not like their privacy being tampered with, to an extent it is necessary in order to keep them safe. 

-Trevor 

Works Cited

BBC, Facebook to Pay Record $5bn to Settle Privacy Concerns, Published July 24th, 2019, 

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49099364

Good evening, class.

I hope this post response finds everyone doing well this week.

One of this week’s discussion topics is based on the security challenges faced in port maritime environments.

Some of the security challenges that maritime and port security environments face are, like many other critical infrastructure sectors, the risks to vulnerability posed by the size of many seaports and their respective locations to population. Add to that the risks associated as soft targets for terrorists to use a multitude of improvised devices, and the challenges are ever-increasing. So, port maritime environments need to maintain a balance to ensure the viability of economic resiliency and security to ensure safe operations of maritime transportation of goods.

Also, we are to discuss the risk-based management approach to maritime transportation.

The use of a risk-based management approach is to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerabilities that come with seaports’ operation and openness. If you have ever gone on a cruise or visited a commercial seaport, you may have realized the amount of traffic coming and going in and out of a port. While there have been specific security protocols enacted since the attacks of 9/11, they are still vulnerable to ease of access and the ability to approach through various methods. Someone who wants to get onto a seaport for any malicious reason can do so by land or sea. The risk-based management approach is used to analyze any potential risks that may arise or address any vulnerabilities noticed before bad actors can exploit them.

Let’s discuss the Megaport initiative.

The Megaport initiative began in 2003 to ensure the scanning of all cargo entering the US seaports to be free of any radioactive or nuclear material that may be used for illicit purposes. The initiative’s implementation was to deter terrorists from exploiting the maritime transportation of goods and cargo to move or enter radiological materials into the US or other countries.

The reason this program is not advancing to its initial goal of 100 ports.

The program did not advance to its intended 100 ports goal in part for the reduction in budget allocations. After spending approximately $850 million in 31 countries, the initiative lost steam. At the same time, the initiative called for implementing radiation detection equipment, port staff training, and risk mitigation analysis by port security management to ensure safe operations. Planned developments for other countries were halted because of budget cuts.

What is the most significant security challenge to address in the port security realm?

The most significant security challenge to address in port security would have to be the use of asymmetric warfare. As we learned in our weekly lesson, asymmetric warfare is heavily used by terrorists. The risks of a potential attack on a port are significant. The size of seaports, their proximity to population and commerce, and their vulnerabilities because of ease of access make for considerable security challenges. While there can be other risks or threats, these pose the most significant that requires constant vigilance.

I look forward to reading other’s perspectives on the topic, and I hope everyone has an excellent rest of the week.

Respectfully,

Raul Sanchez

References:

Congressional Budget Office (CBO). (2016). Scanning and Imaging Shipping Containers Overseas: Costs and Alternatives. CBO.gov. Retrieved from 

https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/51478-Shipping-Containers

US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). (2003). Megeports Initiative. Homeland Security Digital Library. Retrieved from 

https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=473907

Vicinanzo, A. (2015). Lawmakers Concerned Over Threat of Dirty Bomb to US Ports. Decision Sciences.com. Retrieved from 

Lawmakers Concerned Over Threat Of Dirty Bomb To US Ports

Good day Classmates and Professor, 

This week, we are tasked with responding to the following questions: 

Explain the specific security challenges encountered in the port maritime environment and discuss what a risk-based management framework looks like as it applies to this mode of transportation. Discuss the Megaports Initiative. From your perspective, why was this program not advanced to its’ initial goal of 100 ports? What port security challenge is it truly difficult to address?

Specific Port security threats are wide ranging, very difficult to predict, and protect against. Port security issues are: terrorism, criminal activity (from transnational organized criminals to Petty criminal activity), cargo theft, extortion, human trafficking, corruption and economic espionage to name a few. (K.Bernard, 2015) Risk-based management is based off of assessments within the Port security overall assessment. It is based on what security risks are most likely to occur or happen, and then those most likely to happen are guarded against with priority status.  The mega Port initiative is based off the threat of nuclear theft. This initiative was created to combat the greatest threat of nuclear materials worldwide, and over 800 million dollars were spent on mega ports in security enhancements worldwide. This initiative was cut short due to funding, plain and simple, the cost put forth was too great. 

“As of August 2012, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) had completed 42 of 100 planned Megaports projects in 31 countries and, as of December 2011, NNSA had spent about $850 million on the Megaports Initiative (Initiative). NNSA’s Initiative has equipped these seaports with radiation detection equipment, established training programs for foreign personnel, and created a sustainability program to help countries operate and maintain the equipment. However, the administration’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal would reduce the Initiative’s budget by about 85 percent, and NNSA plans to shift the Initiative’s focus from establishing new Megaports to sustaining existing ones. As a result, NNSA has suspended ongoing negotiations and cancelled planned deployments of equipment in five countries.” (Gao.gov, 2012) 

The greatest Port security threat is definitely the threat of asymmetric warfare in the form of terrorism, and the potential for attacks on the port, Port personnel, cargo and the ships that enter, going in and out on a daily basis, semi-freely moving throughout. Ports are massive, similar to a countries land borders, and relatively too much for any security force to cover all of it at one time. This is how attacks occur, such as the attack on the USS Cole in the early 2000’s. A simple, small craft piloted by one man, carrying massive amount of explosives, was a cheap and effective way to attack a US Naval vessel and create millions in damage and loss of life. These types of attacks are nearly impossible to protect against and constant training and vigilance must occur if Port security is to stand a chance. 

Resources utilized: 

COMBATING NUCLEAR SMUGGLING Megaports Initiative Faces Funding and Sustainability Challenges, Gao.gov., 2012, Retrieved from: 

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-13-37

PORT SECURITY-Threats and Vulnerabilities Case: Takoradi Port Kusi, Bernard, 2012, Retrieved from: 

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/38128067

https://www.dhs.gov/secure-freight-initiative

-Dave