Chapter 1

Homeland Security- Changing the Emphasis on Security in the U.S.

Note: there are two questions for you to answer at the end of Chapter 1! The first one goes on the Discussion Board; the second goes to the submit assignment link. Goal: To understand the impact on security in the U.S. of the events of 9/11. Objectives:

• Explain the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks.
• Reach a basic understanding of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Have an appreciation for the changes in U.S. security and some of the remaining challenges.

Lecture: I have been in the security profession for over 35 years. Hard to believe! Most of my time was in the U.S. Army. After retiring from the Army, I went into what is called the "private sector." I will tell you from my perspective, things really changed in my profession when Al-Qaeda attacked targets in our country. Now, as your book notes, there have been previous attacks that made big headlines and raised security concerns: there was an earlier attack on the World Trade Center and then the attack by home-grown terrorists on the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. But 9/11 was really something!  We can all remember where we were that morning. I was heading to work on I-15 and had National Public Radio on. They reported that a plane had just crashed into the WTC. I wondered then - perhaps an attack.  Then a few minutes later they reported the second plane.  No doubt then!  When I got to my plant we began to immediately lock down gates, plan for higher security, etc.  I was in my company president's office minutes after arriving at work. "What are we going to do?" My first reaction was to say, "Let's not over-react" but, I'm afraid, we all over-reacted that day.  Then a few weeks later the anthrax scare hit.  Again, there was over-reaction in some places.  At some companies they were microwaving or ironing mail.  First, that may or may not be an effective way to kill the anthrax.  Second, imagine the impact on a company that receives 10,000 pieces of mail every day!!  I was convinced  -though I couldn't ever be sure - that anthrax was not a threat at our location and I was able to keep us from over-reacting.  (By the way, as late as September 2005, a U.S. government security inspector was asking me what I am doing to deal with the anthrax threat! ) But these events and others got headlines and got upper management and employees very, very interested in security.  In fact, at the time 9/11 happened, I was faced with laying off some officers; I was able to convince management that would be a very irresponsible thing to do.  I won.

Within a few months, the USA Patriot Act was passed, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was formed and  security became a buzz word on the street, at parties, and at work. By the way, the full title of the USA Patriot Act is: "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001."  It is Public Law 107-56 and you can find it on the Web.  It was passed in record time: October 26, 2001, just a month and a half after the attack. It's a pretty big document and it covers a lot of ground.  Some of the areas it touches are:

• Enhanced surveillance procedures
• Money laundering
• Border protection
• Removing obstacles to investigating terrorism
• Information sharing
• Providing for victims of terrorism
• Strengthening criminal laws against terrorism
• Improved intelligence

The law's "sunset" (expiration date) is December 31, 2005.  As I write this, it is not clear that it will be extended.  My money is on the side that says it will be extended.  Not because it's a good law (or bad) but because Americans want our government to protect them.  And of course, the recent bombings in London have raised the distinct possibility of bombings or other attacks anywhere.

By now, you know about the Homeland Security threat levels - as I write this we are in Yellow (elevated).  Each State has a Homeland Security Office.  Go and the Web and see if you can find Utah's.  Let me know if you need help.

As you read Chapter 1, note the impact of 9/11 on the world's largest professional security organization, the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), International.  Note the security measures being addressed by the transportation industry, the nuclear industry, etc.  E.g., you might not know it but there are now laws requiring security plans and training for drivers of trucks that haul hazardous materials (called "HAZMAT").  Hotels and conference centers, always hard to secure, are looking for ways to improve security but not discourage people from attending.  (Your text refers to "conference sights" on page 9; that should be "conference sites.")  Other places looking at new concerns for terrorism are hospitals, retail stores, the construction industry (they are looking at ways to make buildings less vulnerable to attacks).

One big concern is the cost of all this security.  Who pays it?  In my work I know a lot of state and local agency officials who say that the Feds are slow in paying for upgrades.  Nevertheless, when I attended a meeting with state and local officials in early January 2004, I learned that Utah last year received over $45 million in grants that helped local agencies buy HAZMAT response equipment, emergency vehicles, pay for training, etc. When the nation (or part of the nation as we had a few months ago with  New York City's, Northern New Jersey's, and Washington D.C.'s financial districts)  goes on Orange threat level, who pays for all the cops who are called in for overtime.  In a company like mine, if I raise the security level, who pays for the overtime?  (I can tell you that the Feds do not pay for my department's overtime!  If I am going to spend that money I better have a good reason.)

By the time you finish this lecture and read Chapter 1 you'll know that security IS a big issue in today's world, a world full of threats, some vague, some not so vague. But we have been hit and we've been hit hard.  We need to take all reasonable steps to keep it from happening again. Yet we still need to pursue or live and our businesses.  We can't let the bad guys win.

Assignment for Chapter 1:

1. Tell me about yourself.  Post your response on the Discussion Board.  Remember, this is viewable by others in the class so don't publish something that is very personal such as "I am a convicted ax murderer."

• Your name
• Your current occupation (name of employer is optional)
• Any prior security experience.
• Your present status in the UEC or WSU program (i.e., what year of college are you in?)
• What you hope to get from this course (even if it's just a grade to help you complete your education).
• Hobbies, interests, etc. : what makes you "you." (my hobby, by the way, is driving Harleys.  By the way, what's the difference between a Harley and a Hoover vacuum cleaner?*)

2. The assignment for this week is to review question 3 on page 19 of the textbook.

Now go on to the next lecture and Chapter 2. *The location of the dirtbag.