Homeland Security Overview
The homeland security market can be divided into three generations of technologies as follows:
1. First generation equipment and services that existed prior to September 11, 2001. These equipment and services were used immediately after the attack to fill the security gaps. These technologies were security applications such as surveillance cameras, barrier systems and metal detectors.
2. Second generation was in development during the time of attack and is currently being installed. Examples are holographic imaging systems that can detect ceramic or plastic weapons hidden under clothing, sensor integration and smart security camera technologies.
3. Third generation technologies are still under development and will not be available until 2008 or 2009.
There are 11 key areas of homeland security:
1. Aviation Security
2. Port and Maritime Security
3. Ground Transport Security
4. Border Security
5. Physical Infrastructure Protection
6. Cyber Security
7. Emergency Preparedness and Response
8. Bioterrorism Prevention
9. Nuclear and Radiological Prevention
10. Domestic and Foreign Intelligence
11. Counter Terrorism and Law Enforcement
There are seven key technology areas used to support the 11 key areas defined above. They are:
1. Sensor Technologies
2. Identification and Authentication Systems
3. Screening Equipment
4. Surveillance Systems
5. Tracking Technologies
6. Data Analysis Systems
7. Cyber Security Management Technologies.
Homeland Security Department has organized itself into six main mission areas to support the 11 key areas of homeland security. They are described below:
1. Intelligence and Warning: The Intelligence and Warning System's mission is to prevent surprise attacks as the surprise terrorist attack has the potential to do massive damage.
2. Border and Transportation Security: America in the past has relied on two vast oceans and two friendly neighbors for border security, and on the private sector for most forms of domestic transportation security. The increasing mobility and destructive potential of modern terrorism has required the United States to rethink and renovate fundamentally its systems for border and transportation security. Indeed, we must now begin to conceive of border security and transportation security as fully integrated requirements because our domestic transportation systems are inextricably intertwined with the global transport infrastructure.
3. Domestic Counterterrorism: The mission of federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities has been redefined as a result of attacks of September 11. While law enforcement agencies will continue to investigate and prosecute criminal activity, they should now assign priority to preventing and interdicting terrorist activity within the United States.
4. Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets: Our society and modern way of life are dependent on networks of infrastructure-both physical networks such as our energy and transportation systems and virtual networks such as the Internet. If terrorists attack one or more pieces of our critical infrastructure, they may disrupt entire systems and cause significant damage.
5. Defending against Catastrophic Threats: The expertise, technology, and material needed to build the most deadly weapons known to mankind-including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons are spreading. If our enemies acquire these weapons, they are likely to try to use them. The consequences of such an attack could be far more devastating than those we suffered on September 11.
6. Emergency Preparedness and Response: We must prepare to minimize the damage and recover from any future terrorist attacks that may occur despite our best efforts at prevention. An effective response to a major terrorist incident-as well as a natural disaster-depends on being prepared. Therefore, we need a comprehensive national system to bring together and coordinate all necessary response assets quickly and effectively.