Technology-Enhanced Counter-Terrorism Strategies for Homeland Security

Introduction 

Terrorism is currently one of the major security threats facing many countries across the globe. Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of both violence and violence against civilians in the pursuit of political, social objectives. It is estimated that between 1969 and 2009, the world experienced a total of 38,345 terrorist attacks in various parts of the world. 7.8% of the total attacks that represents 2,981 attacks were directed towards the USA. The number of terrorist attacks in developed countries has also significantly increased in the recent years. According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) that was released in 2016, in 2015 alone, terrorist attacks in developing countries increased by 650%. Even though the number of death associated with terrorism is reducing, the intensification of terrorism, especially in developed countries is worrying and is increasingly becoming the concern of the world as a whole ( Muhlhausen & McNeill, 2011) . Muhlhausen & McNeill (2011) points out that the USA is the country leading regarding the war on terrorism, especially after the September 11 th terrorist attack that occurred in 2001 and killed about 3,000 innocent people living in the country. The terror attack on September 11 th led to the formation of Department of Homeland Security. The main mission of Homeland Security is to protect the USA against any form of terrorism. To prevent terrorism, Homeland Security came up with counter-terrorism strategies that have effectively been implemented by both state and federal governments to protect Americans. However, despite the strategies, the terrorist attacks on the USA continue, especially from homegrown terrorist groups that collude with international terrorist organizations like Al-Qaida. Terrorists have been using modern technologies to launch attacks successfully. At the same time, Homeland security is relying on technology to fight terrorism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore how technology can be used to enhance counter-terrorism strategies for Homeland Security in the future. 

Overview of Terrorism in the USA 

Major terrorist attacks in the USA can be traced back in the 1970s when Ted Kaczynski successfully executed series of string of mail bombings that killed three people and seriously injuring 23 people ( Muhlhausen & McNeill, 2011) . Kaczynski was born in Chicago in 1942, and he was the first American to launch a terrorist attack on his people. The second major terrorist attacks in the USA occurred on February 26, 1993, when a bomb exploded at Vista Hotel's public parking garage that was located below the 2 nd World Trade Center building. As a result of the attack, six people died, and about 1,000 were seriously injured. Another major bombing in the USA took place on April 29, 1995, at Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma that ended up killing 168 innocent people while injuring 700 others. 

However, according to Muhlhausen & McNeill (2011), it was the September 11 th terrorist attack in 2001 that significant shook the US and its people, including the world as a whole. 19 members of Al-Qaida hijacked four US airliners and flew them into Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Pennsylvania. Consequently, about 3,000 people were killed. The attacks also led to massive destruction of critical property in the country. It was the September 11 th terrorist attack that catalyst the war on terror, the formation of Homeland Security, and the creation of counter-terrorism strategies. Nonetheless, USA has experienced other minor terrorist attacks since 2001 that have majorly been executed by the homegrown terrorist. For instance, on October 31, 2017, eight people were killed and several others injured when a 29-year-old man in a rented pickup drove down a busy bicycle park that is situated near World Trade Center. Therefore, despite the formation of Homeland Security and implementation of counter-terrorism strategies, terrorist attacks have not stopped in the USA. 

The Available statistics show that the USA is one of the countries that are leading regarding terrorist attacks in the whole world. It is estimated that about 5,600 people have died while 16,300 others have faced serious injuries due to terrorist attacks that were directed to the USA between 1969 and 2009 ( Muhlhausen & McNeill, 2011) . The deaths and injuries were associated with international terrorism. The homegrown terrorist attacks that have occurred in the USA between 2001 and 2009 were 91 compared to 380 international terrorist attacks. The two main targets placed for international terrorists are critical business premises and diplomatic offices. On the contrary, homegrown terrorist attacks mainly target businesses premises, private citizens, and property. Hence, both homegrown and international terrorism poses a lot of security and safety threats to many Americans ( Muhlhausen & McNeill, 2011) . 

Terrorism does not only lead to loss of life, injuries, and destruction of properties, but it also costs taxpayers a lot of money. According to a report that was posted by the Pew Research Center, in 2016, the US spent about $16.6 billion on counter-terrorism efforts and activities (Pew Research Center, 2013). It is estimated that the USA has spent about $500 billion on counter-terrorism intelligence since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack (Pew Research Center, 2013). The counter-terrorism efforts in the USA are costly. However, some progress has been seen in the fight against terrorism in the USA since the September 11 th attack. The US has not experienced major serious attacks since the time, which is a clear indication that the counter-terrorism strategies are at least working. 

Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism Strategies 

Overview of Homeland Security 

Homeland Security was formed in 2002 after the September 11 th terrorist attack in the USA as one of the measures to safeguard the country against terrorism. Homeland Security is the thirds largest federal department in the country because it is made up of 22 agencies that play a role in protecting the country against terrorism. It was formally created in November 2002 after the Congress passed the Homeland Security Act that made it an independent federal department in the USA. The mission of the department is to protect American people and their properties against any security threat, especially terrorist attacks. To achieve this mission, Homeland Security is determined to understand terrorist threat, deter and disrupt terrorist operations, protect Americans against terrorist capabilities, and to stop the spread of violent extremism in the country. At the same time, the department is determined to engage communities in its effort to protect the country against any terrorist attack or threat ( Nemeth, 2016) . 

Apart from protecting the country against terrorism, Homeland Security also has a role in protecting critical infrastructure, including cyberinfrastructure and networks in the USA against any threat and vulnerability. To achieve the objective of protecting critical infrastructure in the country, Homeland Security strives to understand and prioritize any risk to critical infrastructure, protect critical infrastructure, and to ensure that they are resilient against any damage and disruptions ( Nemeth, 2016) . Homeland Security is one of the main departments that are tasked with the responsibility of protecting Americans against any security and safety threats and vulnerabilities. 

Terrorism Prevention Programs and Initiatives 

According to Cronin (2012), Homeland Security has developed some programs and strategies aimed at ensuring that it effectively achieves its role of protecting Americans against any terrorist threat or risks. First, the department created Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) that manages and implements many security-related programs and initiatives. HSE comprises of Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) initiative that allows any citizen to report any suspected security threat, especially those related to terrorism. At the same time, the initiative has been used by the department to train law enforcement personnel on how to recognize any suspicious behavior that can be linked to terrorism. Consequently, based on the report that was published by the Homeland Security, about 229,000 suspicious behaviors have been reported to the relevant agencies within the department through SAR initiatives. SAR initiative was launched by the department to enable it proactively react to any suspected terrorist threat to engage the public in the effort to fight terrorism. 

HSE is also made up of Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) that provides an opportunity for secure and real-time online sharing of information between various federal agencies, and the first local respondents who have valuable information about that is related to a security threat. Also, Homeland Security launched "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign program that is aimed at creating public awareness on behaviors that are associated with terrorist activities ( Cronin, 2012) . Therefore, the HSE was launched by the department to enable quick and timely sharing of information between the public and the relevant government agencies, particularly those that relate to maintenance of law and order in the country. 

Screening for passengers, cargo, and luggage is another strategy that Homeland Security is using to prevent any terrorist attack. The department launched Passenger Name Record (PNR) system to successfully identify and trace any passenger traveling in an outside the country. The system also helps in tracking passengers traveling within the country. PNR system helps in the identification of about 1,750 suspicious cases annually. Air and Maritime cargo screening have been enhanced by the Homeland Security to prevent terrorism. Following the passage of September 11 th Act, the screening of 100% of all international inbound cargo is now mandatory. Besides, the screening for explosive is now done 100% ( Cronin, 2012) . The department is now keen in any luggage, cargo or passenger that enters and leaves the country. 

Homeland Security, in 2017, created the Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnership (OTPP) with the primary aim of improving community education as well as awareness regarding terrorist threats. The office is also tasked with the responsibility of providing necessary resources to various stakeholders to assist in the coordination and prevention of terrorist threats in the country. Also, the office has the duty of countering terrorism radicalization as well as recruitment. OTPP is the main source of leadership, creativity, and innovation that help the Homeland Security to effectively and efficiently deal with any terrorist threat in the country ( Cronin, 2012) . 

The OTPP is crucial in the implementation of some programs that are crucial for the prevention of terrorism. First, it organizes community engagement programs through the collaboration of civil rights and civil liberty organizations to promote community engagement, awareness, and dialogue aimed at reducing any threat and vulnerability that is linked to terrorism ( Nemeth, 2016) . Secondly, OTPP organizes field support and training for Homeland Security local personnel to improve their effectiveness and efficiency detecting and preventing the terrorist action of behavior. Thirdly, OTPP provides technical support to identify voice online and to counter-narratives that promote extremism in the society. Therefore, OTPP is one of the departments of Homeland Security that plays an important role in preventing terrorism in the country ( Nemeth, 2016) . 

Collaboration with International Community 

Homeland Security is using some strategies to counter-terrorism activities in the country and beyond through the collaboration with the international community. The main counter-terrorism is known as 4D, which stands for Defeat, Deny, Diminish, and Defend. The main objective of the 4D counter-terrorism strategy is to defeat international terrorist organizations through the use of diplomatic, economic, law-enforcement, intelligence, and military approaches ( Central Intelligence Agency, 2003) . Further, according to Central Intelligence Agency (2003), t he strategy is not only implemented by the USA through Homeland Security, but it also involves international community, especially US allies. Homeland Security is using international collation and collaboration to defeat terrorist networks and to eliminate or reduce the growth and emergence of new terrorist organizations. The 4D strategy based on the assumption that the best way of defeating terrorism is to isolate them, localize their operations, and finally destroying them. The international political pressure and economic sanctions imposed on terrorist organization and entities that support them reduce their ability and the capacity of terrorist to act and to successfully implement their operations in various parts of the world. Homeland Security is aware that the success of preventing and defeating terrorists rely on the international cooperation and collaborations. 

4D counter-terrorism strategy, therefore, is aimed are achieving three main objectives. The first objective is to identify terrorists and terrorist organization that pose a threat to American and the international community. Homeland Security is using intelligence community and law enforcement agencies to identify both terrorists and terrorist organizations across the globe. The second objective is to locate terrorist and their respective organizations. This objective is also achieved through the use of intelligence community in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Homeland Security collects both human and technical intelligence to determine the ability and the capacity of terrorist organizations. The third objective is to destroy identified terrorists and their organizations. Homeland Security is using local resources and US allies to destroy terrorist across the globe ( Central Intelligence Agency, 2003) . 

Technologies and the Future of Homeland Security Counter-Terrorism Strategies 

Video Analytics 

One of the main technologies that Homeland Security is relying on to in its counter-terrorism strategies is the use of video analytics. Initially, before the emergence of video analytics, USA was relying on video footages that were taken through CCTV cameras that were installed in various parts of the country. However, the use of CCTV cameras proved to be cumbersome and consumed a lot of time for law-enforcement officers. For instance, to identify the potential terrorists, FBI investors were forced to collect and comb through thousands of video footage and photos, and this took hours while at the same time it was not effective. A lot of hours that the department has been taking to analyze videos and photos have negatively affected its ability to implement its counter-terrorism strategies efficiently ( Kushmaro, 2017) . At the same time, the old technology has also sometimes failed in the identification of suspected terrorists in the case of terror attacks. 

Nevertheless, currently, with the emergence of video analytic technologies, Homeland Security can now easily identify terrorist and potential threats facing the country. The Modern video analytics technology has video synopsis that can display activities that took place at different times and then present them as one event. The modern technology makes it possible for Homeland Security to successfully condense hours of video footage into minutes ( Kushmaro, 2017) . Modern video analytics is commonly used by Homeland Security on the people who commit terrorist attacks and have not revealed their identifications. The technology has proved to be highly effective and efficient, especially during the investigation of terrorist attacks in grounded areas where a terrorist cannot easily be identified. 

Narang (2017) points out that new video analytics technologies will also significantly improve the ability of Homeland Security to prevent terrorism. Various security firms and businesses are now using the artificial intelligence video analytic technology. This new video analytic technology can analyze big data generated by many videos and give fast and highly accurate results. Importantly, the artificial video analytic technology can provide more accurate facial recognition or identification within a very short period. Besides, it can be used to analyze and process a lot of video footages in a span of secondly. The intelligence video analytic technology, therefore, will improve the ability of Homeland Security to identify faces of terrorists or any suspect. 

Currently, with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in video analytics, Homeland Security can design systems that can communicate with one another without much human input (Narang, 2017). As a result, the video analytic technology will help Homeland Security in making timely and accurate decisions. Specifically, the use of AI in video analytics will enable the department to easily detect suspicious activities or have the ability to predict them before they happen. The combination of video analytics with location and the identity-based system will substantially improve the ability of Homeland Security to implement its counter-terrorism strategies (Narang, 2017). There are some situations where cameras cannot be used due to visual problems. Consequently, video analytics alone may be ineffective in the fight against terrorism. But this problem will be solved in the future as Homeland Security will be able to combine video analytics with other advanced technologies such as Real-time Location System (RTLS) to address the visual obstacle problems. 

Interrogating terrorist once they have been apprehended is increasingly becoming difficult for Homeland Security investigators. In many cases, terrorists do not reveal useful information when they are being interrogated. There are even instances when they refuse to talk to investigators. As a result, Homeland Security is not able to gather useful information about terrorist and their organizations. However, with the development of microexpression analysis technologies, Homeland security will not only use verbal information during its investigation but also behavioral patterns (Narang, 2017). Video analytics will be combined with other technologies to understand the behavioral pattern of terrorist suspects. Therefore, video analytics will significantly improve the effectiveness of counter-terrorism strategies that are being implemented by Homeland Security. 

Geospatial Intelligence 

Geospatial intelligence is another major technology that Homeland Security used in its counter-terrorism strategies. The USA has some satellites and UAVs that it uses to collect geospatial information on what is happening down on the earth ( Chen, Wang & Zeng, 2004). Even though the government has used satellites and UAVs for long, Homeland Security is now using it as a technology to enhance the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism technologies. The department uses satellites and UAVs to target certain areas that are suspected to have terrorist activities going on ( Kilroy Jr, 2017) . Homeland Security has severally used data collected through satellites to identify terrorist and terrorist organizations, including planning of terror attacks. 

Chen, Wang & Zeng (2004) acknowledges that Homeland Security is aware planning for terrorist attack takes time, including movement and behavioral patterns. Any terrorist activity displays unique temporal trends because pre-attack period requires a lot of time. Planning a terrorist attack also reveal a bimodal spatial pattern during preparation and target selection processes. Therefore, the use of geospatial intelligence is important in the fight against terrorists. Geospatial intelligence provides an opportunity for a seamless flow of information between intelligence personnel and law-enforcement agencies and officers in the process of preventing terrorism. There are some ways in which geospatial intelligence can be used in the counter-terrorism strategies. Importantly, Homeland Security is using this technology to conduct terror group surveillance, to gather and visualize intelligence, monitoring potential targets, and to develop accurate and real-time responses. Geospatial intelligence technologies play important role in the Homeland Security’s counter-terrorism strategies. 

Nevertheless, the main challenge that Homeland Security faces is the accurate analysis of big data that have been collected through geospatial intelligence technologies ( Kilroy Jr, 2017) . In many cases, data centers in the Homeland Security contain many servers and consume a lot of space. This is a challenge that Homeland Security is struggling to overcome to improve its counter-terrorism strategies of gathering intelligence. Accurate and timely data analysis determines the success of geospatial intelligence in the fight against terrorism. 

However, new technologies are emerging that will help in addressing the challenges that are linked to the collection of large data through geospatial intelligence technologies. The emerging technologies such as SQream Technologies will help Homeland Security to accurately analyze large data that it collects through geospatial intelligence technologies. SQream Technologies are being developed by an Israeli company ( Kushmaro, 2017) . Additionally, according to Kushmaro (2017), t he technologies will provide a better opportunity for Homeland Security address the challenge. Also, with the use of SQream Technologies, the department will not have to look for large space to store its data because it can perfectly fit within the standard 2U servers and it can conveniently be carried around. SQream Technologies can analyze large data in seconds, which makes it possible for Homeland Security to analyze any suspicious terrorist behavior with speed and take the most appropriate action. 

The use of geospatial intelligence in the counter-terrorism strategies is associated with some challenges. The technology helps in creating integrated information that can be used by all Homeland Security agencies that are involved in the war on terror by giving a common operative picture. Geospatial intelligence is also advantageous in the counter-terrorism strategies because it helps in facilitating realistic situations assessment that is essential in combating terror activities. Also, Geospatial intelligence assists Homeland Security in organizing and managing on-field personnel to appropriately respond to terrorist threat or attack. Besides, it is through the use of geospatial intelligence that Homeland Security can develop proactive counter-terrorism strategies and activities that can significantly reduce terror attacks in the USA. Preventing terrorism requires a lot of efficiencies, intelligence, and advanced analysis that can be met through the use of geospatial intelligence technologies ( Kushmaro, 2017) . 

The sharing of information collected through geospatial intelligence can be protected through the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). VPNs are some of the most common technologies that Homeland Security is using in its fight against terrorism. It is one of the most crucial technologies in the counter-terrorism strategies because it allows organizations such as Homeland Security to use the internet without being tracked. Homeland Security is using the VPNs to search information about terrorists and their organizations without being detected by the targets. VPNs are also used to secure computer networks to ensure that the third party or unauthorized person do not access the information being sent and received. With the invention of VNPs, Homeland Security can search information about terrorists and terrorist organizations without being detected ( Kilroy Jr, 2017) . 

Biometric Technologies 

The use of biometric technologies in identity verification is a common practice that emerged in the USA after the September 11 th terrorist attack. Initially, biometric technologies were mainly used in the visa and immigration departments in the USA. Homeland Security also adopted the technologies to identify suspected terrorists. The department still heavily relies on the conventional fingerprint as the main biometric identifier ( Carafano, 2005) . At the same time, it is gradually adopting other biometric identifiers such as retina scan, face recognition, and voice analysis. 

Carafano (2005) argues that t he emerging biometric technologies will significantly improve identity verification process at the Homeland Security agencies. The law enforcement agencies are slowly adopting vein scan biometric technology in various parts of the world. It helps in the automatic identification of a person based on the pattern of his or her blood cells that are located at the back of the hand. The use of fingerprints can pose a lot of challenges, especially in the case where the suspects are identical twins who share a lot of biological features. However, with the use of vein scan biometric technology, Homeland Security will be able to identify twins who are involved in terrorist activities easily. Vein patterns are distinctive between identical twins. At the same time, vein patterns in the left-hand id different from those in the right hand. The new biometric technology will also be useful in the implementation of counter-terrorism strategies because it is not intrusive while at the same time it can be used in dirty hands. Vein biometric technology, therefore, will solve some of the challenges faced by Homeland Security in the identification of terror suspects. 

System Integration Technologies 

Homeland Security is the third largest department in the USA, and it incorporates 22 agencies ( Nemeth, 2016) . Also, as a result, coordination and integration is always a problem in the department, which may hinder fight against terrorism. Poor coordination between the 22 agencies can negatively affect the effectiveness of counter-terrorism strategies that the department is using to prevent terrorist attacks in the country. Some system integration technologies have been developed and are available in the commercial market for consumers, including government departments and agencies ( Nemeth, 2016) . 

The problem of integration and coordination in the department will be solved in the future through the use of system integrated technologies. One of the main advantages of system integration technologies is that they create network-centric operations that will help in enhancing operational effectiveness in the department ( Carafano, 2005) . Further, according to Carafano (2005), s ystem integrated technologies improve operational effectiveness through networking sensors, enhanced speed of command, greater efficiency, and a high degree of self-synchronization. The technologies will also help in linking knowledge entities among all agencies in the department. The system integrated technologies with also improve efficiencies in the department, especially through sharing of skills, knowledge, scarce resources, and reducing redundancy that may affect counter-terrorism strategies. Also, the technologies offer common operating picture among all agencies in the department. Enhanced integration and coordination in the Homeland Security will play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism strategies. 

Use of Modern and Non-lethal Weapons 

Currently, Homeland Security using lethal weapons that can be ineffective in some situations. The department is relying on weapons that highly depend on projectiles or chemical energies, especially when it is pursuing terrorist after the attack ( Carafano, 2005) . At the same time, weapons such as guns depend on human energy and skills that may be lacking in the time when the country is facing a terrorist threat. Homeland Security still depends on conventional weapons that may not be used to prevent terrorist attacks that are launched through the use of sophisticated technologies. 

However, new directed-energy weapons are emerging that will change how Homeland security will be responding to terrorist attacks in the future. Directed-energy weapons such as lasers as well as microwave radiation emitters can cause causalities and destroy equipment by just releasing energy on the intended target ( Carafano, 2005) . Unlike conventional weapons that are currently being used by the Homeland Security, directed-energy weapons do not rely on kinetic or mechanical energy, making them more effective and efficient in reducing or countering terror threat. For instance, in the future, Homeland Security will be forced to use lacer to counter airborne terrorist threats. At the same time, directed-energy weapons will be installed on airports and other critical infrastructure to prevent terrorist attacks, particularly those involving missiles. 

The use of non-lethal weapons will also be useful in the future in the fight against terrorism. One of the main challenges that are currently being experienced by the Homeland Security is that terrorist target crowded places, and they mingle with people after committing a terror attack. Consequently, it is not easy to eliminate or subdue a terrorist in a crowd through the use of conventional weapons like guns. Nevertheless, with the emergence of non-lethal weapons, Homeland Security can now counter terrorist attack without endangering the lives of civilians ( Carafano, 2005) . Some of the new non-lethal weapons that the department will be using in the future include non-penetrative projectiles, and electromagnetic. 

Conclusion 

The war on terrors is one of the most complicated issues because it involves a lot of people and the use of complex and complicated weapons. At the same time, preventing terrorism is not easy because of the planning of terrorist attacks takes place outside the country. However, despite these challenges, Homeland Security has significantly helped in preventing terrorism in the USA through its counter-terrorism strategies. The country has not experienced any significant terrorist attack since September 11 th , which is an indication that the strategies are effective and can be used to reduce terror attack. Nonetheless, Homeland Security still needs to invest a lot of new technologies to enhance the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism strategies. The department should be aware that terrorism is evolving with the emergence of new technologies. As a result, it may not be able to prevent terrorism in the country if it is using obsolete or ineffective technologies. Heavy investment and application of new technologies will significantly improve the effectiveness of counter-terrorism strategies in the future. 

References 

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