Postal and Shipping Sector of the Homeland Security - Assignment Example

 Postal and Shipping Sector of the Homeland Security The Postal and Shipping Sector is a vital element of the United States economy. This sector employs over 1.8 million people and directly earns over $215 billion for the country. The Postal and Shipping Sector unlike the general cargo operations centers on small and standard size packages. The sector is highly active with a large number of service providers taking part in the sector. The Sector is highly concentrated with a couple of organizations accounting for more than ninety percent of the market shares according to Purpura (2010). Its specific assets comprise of tens of thousands of domestic delivery units; lots of and diverse collection, approval and retail businesses; high-volume programmed processing amenities; information/communications systems; and mail transfer equipments. The Postal and Shipping Sector handles more than 570 million products, financial transactions and messagesevery single day. Policies that Direct and Guide the Sector The naational security and emergency preparedness policy guides the ativities of the DHS Postal and Shipping Sector. The policy is aimed at instituting a regulatory, executive and functional framework for the precedence, refurbishment, and stipulation of communication circuits in case of emergency. The Sector is also guided by the need to provide a sole interagency crisis message managing system for the transfer of national security and emergency preparedness information. This helps the sector in incorporating the accessible high-frequency radio assets of the government and industry when normal communications are inaccessible. This is achieved through the endorsement of shared resource high frequency radio program. The sector has also adopted a policy to conduct numerous exercises in conjunction with various private sector stakeholders. Each year the sector is set to perform a specific number of exercises in this respect. In addition, the Sector has established a portal on the Homeland Security Information Network to ease the sharing of information with the private sector security associates as noted by Caldwell (2011). The information should be shared between the government agencies and the private sector players. The Sector is also guided by the policy to develop a susceptibility self-evaluation tool purposely customized to the exclusive distinctiveness of the sector. However, the development of the tool is already in progress.Yat another policy that guides the sector is the need to ensure the implementation of protective schem s and programs such as physical susceptibility mitigation measures including cyberspace security assessment, workers security measures, and the handling of hazardous materials. Structure and Functions of the Sector The Postal and Shipping Sector is divided into three major components: Fixed infrastructure which comprises capital resources or critical infrustructure including roadways, information networks, facilities, and voice and facts communication networks. Secondly are the conveyances which includes mediums of transport such the vehicles, ships and boats. Lastly, there is the human capital whih comprises the private sector workers and the government workers at the local, state, and federal ranks according to Fagel and Fagel (2011). The human resource is accountable for the operation, management, and development of transportation methods. The transport system comprises the highway system, transit system, airport ground access system and rail system. There are also facilities, systems, and operations that support the functioning of the different structures. These include: Warehouses which compris materials that support logistics operation, which is vital in the supply chain system. Intermodal facilities are points of transfer of goods between different modes of transport. Both shipping and postal industry use all modes of transport necessary to meet their time-sensitive work. They use the road, rail, sea and the air. The terminals are the devoted loading points of different postal and shipping organizations. Serve as the initial point of the postal and shipping process.Vehicles and crafts-comprise cars, aircrafts, trucks and motorbikes used to delivered goods. Cyber networks-provide operational and administrative function of the shippers. The Functions of the Postal and Shipping Sector of the Department of Homeland Security The main functions are receiving/collecting, processing, packaging transportation and distribution of letters and parcels. The Postal and Shipping Sector receives and collects parcels and letters from people who need to transfer information or goods to other people in other places. During the collection of messages and parels, the staff ensures that necessary details are included in the parcels. The processing of transactions it is done to avoid terrorism. The parcels and letters are passed through detecting machines to ensure that they do not contain any explosives or dangerous materials. During processing also, the staff ensures that details regarding delivery are provided. The Sector also engages in pakaging. During packaging, the staff ensures that each and every parcel or letter has the relevant details and the various parcels and letters are packed in accordance with their details for convenience and appropriate delivery. Parcels and letters are packed according to the medium of transport, for instance those being shipped are packed in containers. After all the relevant information regarding the parcels and letters have been processed and the goods are well packed, they are transported to their various destinatuions. This can be through air, ground, or even water transport. In most cases, it is the destination and urgency of the parcels and letters that determine the means of transport used in order to ensure that deadlines are met. After the goods have been transported to their various destinations, the staff ensures that the various goods are distributed to the relevant recipients. Clearing and forwarding occurs both at the colletion and delivery points. The clearing and forwarding staff ensure that goods are checked for any discrepancies before they are dispatched. They also ensure that goods are of good quality and given to the right recipients. Security staff in the sector ensure that adequate security is provided during transportion of goods. This is done in consideration of the fact that terrorists can easily target the products on transit. Instruments that Determine the Standards and Procedures The mailing machines: An automatic feeder and sealer processes and seals a mail to a maximum of ninety-five letters per minute. Software solution machine; used to process mails and parcels. It uses carriers such as UPS, DHL, USPS, FedEx, and other carriers such local delivery and courier services all with similar high standards for effectiveness and information accessibility. This instrument eases and enhances processing and transmitting of goods from the organization to the carrier. Folders/inserters; they used for opening letters with the use mill cutting technology hence preventing the damaging of the document. It also helps in sorting out the envelopes and parcels more effectively by just hitting the go button. Letter opener; it is an office envelop opening tool that capitalizes on output by allowing one to distribute received mail more rapidly throughout the organization. It is time saving and, leaves no waste and guards valuable contents. Address printer; it eradicates the monotonous task of physically placing adhesive labels on envelops and parcels. As a result, the mailings appear more professional and produce more response. It is also time saving and less money is used in the process. Tabbler; it automatically applies glue tabs or wafer seals to many mail pieces for quick shipping and mailing according to Fay (2010). They are less expensive than envelopes and are best for bunch mailing of newsletters, brochures, and double cards. Conveyers; it keeps sorted mails in the correct order and assists in drying. It has a variable speed control thus effective in sorting mails. It can be used with a dryer in order o speed up the drying process. The USPS digital mandate; it works with the postage meter to recognize and promote new safe meter technology for better mail effectiveness and savings. The digital code offers the best security for postal funds and builds foundation for prospective course of intelligence mail. Changes to Sector Regulation in the Post-9/11 Era After 9/11, many changes were undertaken in the Department of Homeland security and one of the most affected sectors was the Postal and Shipping Sector. For instance, hundred percent screening of cargo travelling on passenger aircraft was demanded. Cargo being transported on narrow-body aircraft from the United States were to be fully screened. The Certified Cargo Screening Program was instituted to handle the screening of other local cargo. The program made it possible to screen cargo transported by indirect air transporters and shippers all through the supply chain. A strategy to modernize and adjust the airport Security Design Guidelines was enacted. Moreover, considerable changes concerning baggage screening systems, travelers’ safety checkpoints and integrated safety principles for contact control were adopted. A working group was established to revise the guidelines. Also, a memorandum of understanding referred to as Federal Air Marshal was established to carry out assistance on man-portable Air defense Systems. Thus, Transport Security Administration (TSA) aims at guaranteeing carrier conformity with security plans and standards. However, the Federal Aviation Administration checks on air service conformity and other protection procedural requirements. Additionally the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has trained and positioned behavior detection officers, bomb appraisal officers, and ticket document checkers within the service areas in a bid to fight various crimes according to Pontius (2003). TSA became more intelligence-oriented with set operating measures and fresh training that provides current information about threats facing postal and shipping industry. The Vulnerabilities of the Sector The Postal and Shipping Sector has various vulnerabilities especially in the handling of mail and packaging of materials. The Sector may encounter anonymous mail when the sender of the goods failed to include their identity either intentionally or unintentionally according to Bullock and Coppola (2008). In such a case, the parcel cannot be processed hence delays are unavoidable. Given the many terminals that the Sector has, it is a difficult to determine the most convenient point of accessing the public. Also, given the many activities carried out in the Sector, the number of workers is usually very high and this is likely to have a negative effect on the welfare of the workers.Also, there are high chances of workers getting exposed to harmful materials such as dangerous biological, chemical, and explosive agents. For instance, terrorists can deposit explosive chemicals in the parcels or even use letter bombs to undertake terrorism activities. Yet again, there are chances that employees may engage in mail theft especially if they are dissatisfied with the organization for one reason or another. The Potential Threats Against the Sector Biological/chemical materials: Terrorists are capable of incorporating dangerous materials in their parcels with the aim of attacking the public. This is popular considering that technology has made it possible to target people or places remotely and anonymously. When one comes into conduct with such materials, their health may be affected. For instance, anthrax laced letters can cause one to suffer from the disease which is highly contagious. Improvised explosive devices: These may include packaged/letter bomb, suspicious letters and packed white powder as noted by Erbschloe (2003). Terrorist are capable of packing bombs in letters or parcels in a way that they cannot be detected. These bombs are usually set to explode at specific times especially in the area where the terrorist is interested in attacking. Small arms attacks: Some of the employees might be tempted to conceal some parcels containing highly valuable goods for their benefit. Criminals can also use employees to help them gain access to valuable goods on transit. Accidents: almost all means of transport are associated with accidents. For instance, there are many cases of ships sinking in the ocean due to waves, aircraft crashing, and road/rail accidents happening leading to the loss or damage of goods on transit               References Bullock, J. & Coppola, D. (2008). Introduction to Homeland Security: Principles of All-Hazards Response. New York: Butterworth-Heinemann Pontius, F. (2003). Drinking Water Regulation and Health. London: John Wiley & Sons Erbschloe, M.(2003). Implementing Homeland Security for Enterprise It. New York: Digital Press Fagel, M. & Fagel, M. (2011). Principles of Emergency Management: Hazard Specific Issues And Mitigation Strategies. Carlifornia: CRC Press Caldwell, S. (2011). Critical Infrastructure Protection: Update to National Infrastructure Protection Plan Includes Increased Emphasis on Risk Management and Resilience. London: DIANE Publishing Purpura, P. (2010). Security: An Introduction. Carlifornia: CRC Press Fay, J. (2010). Contemporary Security Management. 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