9/11 Changed Security Paradigm: Preparing, Preventing, Responding - Research Paper

Security refers to the preparation, prevention, and response made against threats directed towards a territory. Before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in the United States, the state and local governments were only concerned with the preparation of any potential attack. In the same vein, the state's role was to respond to a foreign military strike. On the other hand, the terrorist attack experienced on September 11 2001 led to a paradigm shift. In other words, the attack called for new ways of handling such kinds of threats, which stimulated the creation of the Department of Homeland Security Council as well as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide an opportunity for state and local working groups (Steiner, 2014). These departments were developed to enhance the activities of counter-terrorism within the United States borders. The department of homeland security possesses the special intelligence techniques of combating terrorist activities. The homeland security system also improves their intelligence services to help in gathering information from different parts of the world (Steiner, 2014). During the attacks of the U.S. embassies, especially in the other parts of the world, the United States intelligence was deemed incompetent in dealing with the terrorist networks that operate under different platforms. The department had to formulate new policies through legislation to improve its operational activities in counter-terrorism (Gries, Krieger, & Meierrieks, 2011). There has been the formulation of the Intelligence Community and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism policy, a strategy that is meant to bring changes in the transportation security, intelligence, immigration, border protection, terrorist money laundering, and many other first responder awareness issues. The Federal Bureau of investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as the judicial systems, are also involved in the development of policies that would ensure safety from domestic terrorist attacks. The paper discusses the special intelligence techniques used by both the Department of Homeland Security as well as other organizations that are concerned with mitigating terrorist activities in the United States of American and across the globe.

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On January 24, 2003, President George W. Bush placed his signature on the Homeland Security Act, which created the Department of Homeland Security (Young, 2014). The creation of the Department of Homeland Security resulted in the consolidation of 22 agencies that involve the matter of homeland security. Some of the 22 agencies that were amalgamated include the following: Customs Service, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Border Patrol, and the Transportation Security Administration (Steiner, 2014). Since its inception, DHS has taken a central role in the federal preparations in combating terrorism while managing other duties related to border security, customs, and emergency management (Young, 2014). Besides, DHS houses many different law enforcement agencies. For example, it houses the United States' Secret Service and represents more than 80,000 various jurisdictions at the federal and state levels of government (Young, 2014). Until its proposal for creation, there were suggestions to make the department "revenue neutral."

The above case would mean that DHS, as a new department, would not cost any more than the combined budgets of its parts. However, this did not take effect. For instance, by giving new homeland security mandates to the agencies meant that many responsibilities were transferred to DHS (In Wright, In Peters, & In Nyarko, 2014). Furthermore, by not giving those agencies any new funding to perform these mandates, it appeared that the President was forcing resources out of legacy regulatory functions. Proper funding is an issue that has snowed under the government's execution of domestic security goals preceding the inception of the DHS (Young, 2014). There is no doubt that Funding becomes problematic when examining the allocation, management, and shortage of distribution. For instance, many departments are receiving funds that they have little use for, whereas others must hold out shortages in monetary support from federal sources.

Unlike other departments, the Department of Homeland Security has come up with a podium where state and local responders bring on board their ideas. The condensing of Homeland Security into the National Security Council has resulted in an improved approach to security threats. The interagency policy structure has representatives from all federal departments and agencies. Usually, any agency or department can be able to prevent a policy from being approved as consensus is required. By definition, Homeland Security is the Federal, local, and communities with a common national interest in the security of the U.S. and its population. Homeland security is an umbrella over the defense of America. The function of Homeland Security is maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and other components (Young, 2014). On the other hand, in areas such as border security and the management of the immigration system, the department has distinctive responsibilities. For instance, in the area of critical infrastructure protection, the department is mainly tasked with the provision of leadership. In the same vein, in the area of counter-terrorism and defense, other Federal agencies such as defense and justice departments provide important roles. For that reason, Homeland Security calls for joint efforts that cut across various elements of government and society (Young, 2014).

Homeland security is maintained as part of many other entities under the Department of Homeland security, and by allowing for this broader definition, it stresses and invests in the diversity of organizations and people who share a common interest in the safety and security of America. It recognizes the importance of shared efforts in deterring attacks by identifying the potential threats to achieve protection of the Nation's vital infrastructure and key resources. The command and mission of the Department of Homeland security are to protect the citizens and their homeland. In the same vein, the DHS's other responsibility is ensuring the safety and security of the United States from all kinds of disasters (both man-made and natural.)

The significant concepts of foundations defined by DHS for the complete approach to homeland security are; Security, Resilience, and Customs, and exchange. The importance of protecting resources of the Nation within its borders and the initiatives to increase vigilance, such as at the border crossings. On resilience, it aims to foster individual, community, and the systems robustness and capacity for rapid recovery. The above scenario works in tandem with the essential elements of the prosperity of the economy- people, goods, money, and information. As stated by Bullock and Johnson (2016), the general public officials and its members will continue to spearhead prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from terrorist threats, natural and man-made hazards.

Despite many promises and policies made, the U.S. is not fully protective of its borders. The United States established the DHS intending to protect its borders and the critical infrastructure it has. Among the three concepts of the Department of Homeland security are security, customs, and exchange. When the congress considered mass amnesty to prevent any huge influx of illegal settlers, there has been high deportation numbers of up to 400,000 a year out of 11 million illegal residents (Bullock & Johnson, 2016). The above scenario is a clear indication of active enforcement. Border security has seen Border Patrol and agents supplemented by National Guard, and the local force enforcement identifies illegal crossings and thus reduced apprehensions. Despite the border patrol along with fencing, people still find ways to cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. In my opinion, the government should work on ensuring the fence is finished where it can be patrolled to give agents better access to prone areas; providing more security layers, including interior checkpoints, is also a paramount task (Spellman, 2018).

Border security is not sufficient to provide total security within our borders since U.S. citizens make some terrorist attacks. For example, the recent Orlando, Florida shooting that resulted in the death of 49 people.

The resources used in fighting terrorist attacks and traditional criminals are rare. For that reason, there is no doubt that an average American is more likely to find themselves victims of crime than of a terrorist attack. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, close to 99,000 Americans were executed. On the other hand, each year, during this period, approximately 1million Americans became victims of violent crime. With the September 11 attacks, local law enforcement agencies were required to do more to protect their communities against terrorism. However, resources in the hands of the local law enforcement community have been cut a swathe through; this has been detrimental given that the ability of law enforcement agencies to remain fully staffed, purchase necessary equipment, and ensure that their officers receive essential training has been severely hindered.

Many challenges are experienced by the Department of Homeland Security. The first two challenges deal with the elimination of terrorist threats. For instance, DHS has found it challenging to put an end to terrorist attacks. The second challenge is the issue of dealing with homeland terrorism and attacks. Those within the Progressive Policy Institute believe that there is a need to fortify our defenses. According to them, instead of the government paying more towards defense, the government should offer tax cuts. Another major challenge facing the Department of Homeland Security is the issue of communication. There is no doubt that effective communication is critical to developing effective counter-terrorism measures. On the other hand, the Department of Homeland Security lacks a database system that is crucial to communication. Other challenges include defining roles. It is expected that the State and Local governments play a role in homeland security, but the federal government has yet to define their exact roles. Lastly, one of the biggest challenges is controlling the national borders. There is a need for the Department of Homeland Security to be fully in control of the movement of people into and outside the United States. In so doing, the DHS will be in a better position to prevent possible terrorists from entering the country. Certain measures should be put in place to help address the problems faced by DHS. Firstly, there is a need to do away with some of the Departments. Some of the departments that I feel are not necessary and hence should be done away with include the Department of Housing and Urban Development. After doing away with it, the role should be transferred to the State governments. Next, another department that should be removed is the Department of Veteran's affairs. Instead, its services should be fused into the Department of Defense. On the other hand, the department of agriculture should be merged with the Department of Energy in the Department of Commerce. By removing these departments, the government will be in a position to save money because of the smaller number of administrative costs. The government should not only remove these departments but should also place some of the independent regulatory commissions under departments. For example, they are putting the National Labor Relations Board under the Department of Labor and the...