HSE430: Border-Transportation Security

As a response to the 9/11 attacks, the International Ship and Port Security code (ISPS) came into force in July 2004. Since then, merchant ships in international trade and the ports they call have been required to be certified to a certain security standard.

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks.

This article offers historical context of the efforts since the September 2001 terrorist attacks to enhance and strengthen maritime and seaport security, including the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002; the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, U. S. Facility and Vessel Vulnerability Assessments; Facility/Vessel Security Plans; and the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

The borders of the United States can be conceptualized as four segments, or points of entry. Three segments—airports, ports, and guarded land points—are official. The fourth—unguarded land borders and shoreline—is unofficial and is used primarily by migrants, smugglers, traffickers, and perhaps terrorists. Each segment is to some degree porous, because of the volume of activity and the amount of physical space that must be protected. Physical space is particularly important at unofficial points of entry. The need to improve control over the airport border was highlighted dramatically by 9/11, but the attacks also indicated a need for increased control over the other segments.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, U.S. Customs Service began developing antiterrorism programs to help secure the United States. Within months of these attacks, U.S. Customs Service had created the Container Security Initiative (CSI).

The Office of Maritime Security supports the U.S. maritime transportation system, the U.S. Merchant Marine, and other elements of the U.S. maritime industry. The Office facilitates the development and implementation of effective maritime security policies, procedures, practices, statutes, and training to protect U.S. citizens and maritime interests from maritime security threats such as piracy, terrorism, criminal activity, and cyber-attack. This resource provides essential information on:
--Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships
--Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
--Federal Maritime Security Resources
--Regional Threat Information and POCs
--Port Security Grant Program
--Maritime Cyber Security