Homeland security has an effort to ensure safety, the protection of the domestic population, and strength against terrorism as well as other hazards. Elements of criminal justice can be used in the broader definition of homeland security, including issues like human trafficking, the law of weapons and explosives, foreign policy aspects, trade, economics, and the role of military enforcement (Parfomak, 2019). . Homeland security best reduces the vulnerability of Americans to terrorist attacks, damage, and natural events. Issues faced by homeland security in the quest to ensure law enforcement and corrections are discussed and effectively addressed herein.
Domestic surveillance issues affect homeland security implication since the foreign intelligence surveillance act regulates their access to electronic surveillance or access to specific business records and other useful things. This restriction reduces the effectiveness of homeland security.
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This issue can be addressed by following up on the amendment of the law.
Information sharing and collaboration issues have created barriers between foreign and domestic intelligence. This barrier has significantly reduced the law enforcement action as the domestic population doesn't receive the required information they need from the levels of government. The private and public sectors to not collaborate for the noble task of law enforcement. To resolve this issue, efforts have been put to overcome the barriers i. e Homeland security has come up with critical infrastructure information sharing and collaboration programs entitled to share vulnerability information, incidences, and threats between the respective industries and the government.
The Transnational Trend of Terrorism issue is a threat to Homeland security over the years. Transitional dimension attacks, including internet, radicalized lone attackers, terrorists using airliners platforms for destruction, and use of explosives and the mass shooting in congested areas have brought a challenge to homeland security as they are trying on new ways to curb the attacks. To resolve the issue, counterterrorism efforts, understanding terrorist tricks in various geographical regions have been put in place. Programs and policies have been reviewed to give guidance and direction on the best ways to deal with crime. Interdiction, countering extremism, and investigation are initiatives used to preempt and monitor the possible activity of the terrorists.
Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear terrorism issues are on the rise. The anthrax attack has made the homeland security act to develop medical countermeasures against the threat. The department of Health and Human Services has been used to provide risk analysis and give information on the most effective countermeasures to be prioritized. The homeland security department is authorized to regulate the chemical facilities' security by securing and protecting them from terrorist attacks.
The high voltage transformers used in the transmission of electric to customers is a security issue as it is vulnerable to malicious acts done intentionally. Attackers cause widespread blackouts by crippling the electricity network leading to intense social and economic impacts. The homeland security and other industries have come up with initiatives to give the electric transformers security and improve recovery time in case of a successful attack. The initiatives include information sharing, grid security exercises, coordination, and spare equipment programs.
The federal facility security issue has affected the daily operations of the homeland security, health, welfare, and safety of the public. The disparate in approach and decentralized federal building and facility security has brought vulnerabilities to attacks ( Gaines & Kappeler 2019). . To cub the issue, there was created an increase in the operations of security in the central facilities and investigation of how the government protects and gives protection to employees and the public.
Border security and trade issue that involves drug trafficking is a threat to homeland security. Heroin trafficking and increased availability have led to the emergence of other factors like criminal networks. To reduce the threat, homeland security acts to reduce the flow of illicit drugs from the borders, associated violence instruments, and drug proceeds at the borders. Policies have been made to control drug trafficking. Money flow outside the legal channels brings a challenge to law enforcement as well as having a nexus with the policy of homeland security. Illegal enterprises are used to provide funds for unlawful activities like an illegal border crossing, terrorist operations, and smuggling ( Price,2018). Reduction of the flow of illicit money and other goods from crossing the borders helps combat drug-related activities.
The cargo security issue has made the homeland security try to strike a balance between the benefits of trade flows against cargo security demands and trade law enforcement. The security is working to reduce the inlet of mass destruction weapons, illegal drugs, and other goods that might illegally enter through the ports ( Logan, 2017 .) Enforcing these rules needs a multi-layered and risk management approach. Even though some trading partners are opposing it, the Homeland security department has imposed the 100% scanning requirements at all foreign ports as a way of resolving illegal importation cargo security issues.
The aviation security issue has caused a threat to the Homeland security after several attacks. The homeland security has increased the number of armed air marshals to effectively screen passengers and baggage, identify individuals with potential threat and effectively responding to any security threats.
References
Parfomak, P. W. (2019). Pipeline Security: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress (No. IN11060).
Gaines, L. K., & Kappeler, V. E. (2019). Homeland Security and Terrorism . Pearson.
Price, K. (2018). Computer Security for Home Users and Small Businesses for the Department of Homeland Security.
Logan, K. G. (Ed.). (2017). Homeland security and intelligence . ABC-CLIO.
