Technology Support System For Homeland Security Program - Assignment Example

Download file to see previous pages... Former Senator Rudman views the department to be a needed “formulation” in spite of the existing of great Army, Marine Corps and Air Force (2003). However, in assessing the organization and mission of the DHS, this proposal sees the agency to be wanting in resources and capacity along the aspects of independent mobilization and focus of initiatives. Organizationally, the DHS has to correlate with federal agencies to be able to mobilize anti-terrorism initiatives; it also lacks the integrated mechanism so that the department can effectively interface with the anti-terrorism network of agencies within the bureaucracy. Thus, the creation of an Information Communication and Assistance Services or ICAS is hereby proposed. Specifically, the ICAS is a novel concept of a management information system which will link the DHS with correlated anti-terrorism federal, state and local agencies using information and communication technologies. It will also enable the DHS to directly serve the people at the grassroots level through a social Web site and a 9-12 quick assistance response system. If implemented with a budget request of 18 Million USD, the proposal will consequently resolve what U.S. President Barack Obama perceives to be a “systemic failure in the existing homeland security services (Newsweek, an. 11, 2010). TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR HOMELAND SECURITY Problem Identification The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States have greatly dismayed Americans on their vulnerability to terrorism at home. Beyond the great grief of the citizenry, the catastrophic event provoked an awareness of the country’s dire need for security. Describing terrorism as “a global, generation-defining struggle against an enemy of vast military and ideological power,” (Time, 2000), U.S. President George W. Bush ordered the setting up of a Department of Home Security or DHS in order to protect the nation from terrorism inflicted in any of its 50 states. (50 States.com, 2012). This unprecedented move was intended not simply to enlarge the already existing security manpower of the United States, but to enlist the cooperation of partners involving all relevant security agencies, and the American citizenry as well. The potential threats are many, ranging from home-made bombs to ballistic missiles hurled from concealed sites thousands of miles away. The tools of terrorism also vary from simple devises hidden in an air traveler’s shoe to sophisticated nuclear weapons system, each having the capacity to inflict a high share of human suffering and death. The department has therefore been given a critical mandate to “mobilize and focus the resources of the federal government, state and local governments, the private sector and the American people to accomplish its mission to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur” (Hutton & Mydlarz, 2003). TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR HOMELAND SECURITY Understandably, the challenge assumed by the department is immense. Already since the 2001 September attacks that toppled down the New York Twin Towers, it was reported that 45 Jhadist terror attacks were planned against the United States (Avlon, 2011). Fortunately, these were prevented by proficient intelligence work, functional policing, and avid public support. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More