The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright - Essay Example

The looming tower Introduction Department of Homeland Security has a major responsibility of taking care of the lives of everyAmerican by preventing any form of terrorist attack as witnessed in 9/11. The department of homeland security is only able to prevent these vicious acts from happening by preventing unauthorized acquisition of chemical, biological, nuclear material and any other radiological equipment that can be used by terrorist to bring down United States. Securing and protecting the US borders is the second mission of homeland security. The borders include land, air, and sea. The protection helps in preventing entry of illegal people and weapons into the country. With this protection, the country is able to lead to economic prosperity. This project aims at discussing in details the measures taken by the department of homeland security in ensuring that the air territory is well protected and avoid repeat of the 9/11. The paper also aims at discussing the fundamental stride taken by the department of homeland security in training and educating the public on any terrorist threats. The paper also proposes in details the security measures taken to prevent leakage of information especially in the cyberspace in addition to protection of information that might be of national interest. Objectives i) Detecting any form of missile in the airspace controlling them and stopping them from hitting any part of the US. ii) Training and educating the public in responding to any form of terror attack in addition to proper monitoring and collecting of information will help in preventing air terrorism. iii) To determine the extent of security level to allow operations of drones in US air space. Cyberspace is one of the most important tools that terrorist will use while planning an attack. Department of homeland security ensures that the cyberspace is protected to prevent terrorism from hacking into their systems. However, the infamous 9/11 attack severed a blow to the United States security services and the whole nation. The properly planned terror attack led to the loss of over 3,000 lives and destruction of property. Arguably, American intelligence learnt of the situation before its occurrence but several factors harbored the intended articulation of the information to establish measures that would result to a counter attack before precision and attack of the terrorists. According to Wright, America failed to condone the situation because of the bureaucratic system of governance that secured decision-making on security issues as a state held responsibility of the top officials. Homeland security should ensure that firewalls are used in detecting any form of hacking into their systems. Most of the air-controlled systems are controlled and closely monitored to prevent terrorists from hacking them. This is by homeland security dealing with the threat of hacking into government-controlled systems such as that of the airspace. In addition to this, security and training of the society should be improved in order to detect any kind of terrorism before it actually occurs. The air space is our concern considering the rapidly increasing number of people using the air space as a means of transport and it was used by the terrorist to hit US. The department of homeland security has developed a program coded the blueprint for a secure cyber future. This program aims at promoting technological advancement to help the government and the private sector in protecting the infrastructure and promote a safe environment online and in the air. In the bid to promote public education and training the department launched in 2010 a stop, think, and connect awareness campaign that aims in safeguarding the airspace. O’Neil, an FBI agent undertook a survey concerning Al-Qaeda and presented the doctrine to the federal security since he declared that the group had the facility and capabilities to attack the nation if the authorities would fail to intervene promptly (Hewitt 63). Another deterring reason that led to the failure of the intelligence system emanated from the fact that the intelligence agencies lacked similar goals in addressing the threats, a factor that further hindered the integration and establishment of common strategies concerning the terror threats. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fend for information as a separate entity while the CIA fend for information and promptly relayed to the president through the presidential daily briefing (PDB). With this as a reason it means that, the entire US intelligence service is at risk unless there is an integration of information. For this reason, training programs should be provided by the department of homeland security in protecting the airspace and civilians in addition on how to report any suspicious terror threat. There have been several programs developed to train the staff and workers of planes, helicopters, private planes, and jets that use the airspace in responding to any terrorist attacks. This is only possible through training of the entire population (Feickert 13). There is a possible advantage related to the training and education of the public in addition to the advantages offered with registration of every plane that uses the airspace in the US in addition to training everyone using the airspace of the US. Currently there have been a proposal by the United States to allow drones to fly in its space and more so with passenger planes (Dennis Schaal). However, this is likely to inflict more debts into the already struggling US economy. With the recent stiff measures regarding the air space, there are possibilities that the civil aviation industry is likely to suffer from conflicts of interests. Department of homeland security is facing many challenges while trying to improve US airspace (Habert 34). The major problem lies on the military options while planning the course of action in protecting US airspace. There is also the challenge of surveillance, command and control, and interception which led to the 9/11 attacks. Creation of academia and research centers is one of the roles of the department of homeland security (Pasquale). The centers help in providing independent analysis of information necessary for protecting the airspace. Supporting the research institutions, developing them, testing them, and finally evaluating their success is a function of the department of homeland security. Since the 2001 bombing occurred, American authorities realized that information would be of vital use to implement and execute plans to counter any threats. The US intelligence authorities realized that their engagement in the investigations yielded ill outcomes as they lacked interrelations amongst themselves for example, FBI and CIA operated as separate entities during the operations. American authorities perceived that the intelligence units had different targets and goals thus it would be solemn for them to undertake the assignments from a unified approach (Wright 143). Presumptions are that unification of the agencies in engaging scrutiny in evaluating the terrorism threats would yield since they would be specific in establishing the probabilities through the evaluation of the vital factors. The department of homeland security is not able to protect fully the US airspace due to surveillance, command and control, and interception challenges. It is therefore necessary to devise strategies on how the department of homeland security will be able to deal with these eminent threats. We will also recommend whether the necessary programs undertaken by the department are necessary in protecting fully the US airspace after 9/11. Training Students and the General public Outcomes Program Outcome 1 Students and the public will be able to apply the fundamentals of air transportation as part of a global, multimodal transportation system, including the technological, social, environmental, and political aspects of the system to examine, compare, analyze and recommend conclusion. As we all understand, the primary goal of the department of homeland security is to protect all Americans from any form of harm especially terror attacks. Security of American is more so very crucial after the 9/11 attack. The country is a super power and therefore attracts many enemies. This program outcome will automatically train students the necessary technology relevant for protecting the nation. This program will ensure that students have the extent to access relevant information. This program will also ensure that students scale in terms of information management and technology is rising. This is because for over two decades terrorists have proved to be opportunistic, flexible, and have been learning from experience on how to launch terror attacks in US. In the present, the intelligence units of America work in unity and together with the federal government thus setting a platform for the interconnection and looming of ideas within themselves. Further, allied nations get informative updates concerning any planned threats and target people who seem as affiliates to the terror groups. In the book, “The Looming Tower,” Wright observed that the American social practices provoked terror from Sayyid Qutb a situation that advanced through the Muslim Brotherhood and the unification of terror groups to form al-Qaeda thus threatening all Christian nations an others that act in favor of the American authorities. This is the reason why the students and the public in general must be taught through his program to be enhancing countermeasure strategies in terms of technology and information in the airspace. Through this program, students will have knowledge of electronic information and communication system. Students will also have access to knowledge on computer systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition systems including the internet and every part of the cyber infrastructure. Students will also apply this information by processing, communicating, and storing all types of data relevant for controlling the airspace. Students will also apply the knowledge of processing information, which entails creation of information, accessing information, modification, and destruction of any information relevant for protecting the airspace of the US. In addition to this, students will apply the knowledge of storing information in form of papers, magnetic, electronic amongst many other forms. Another knowledge that this program outcome will give is the knowledge of information technology and its critical functions necessary for protecting the airspace. The technology includes the set of processes that produce, provide, and maintain services and products. Program Outcome 2 The students and the public will be able to identify and apply appropriate statistical analysis, to include techniques in data collection, review, critique, interpretation and inference in the aviation and aerospace industry. The intelligence units will be acting in favor of the American society if they would promptly indulge in locating and arresting terror suspects within the American society. Arguably, the intelligence has information that the terror groups have cells in America, they continuously engage on planning, and executing terror in other nations allied to America. Through the direct prowess to engage the terrorists on timely confrontations after realizing any possible threats, the intelligence shall be acting in favor of promoting peace and safeguarding the homeland from threats (Hewitt 63). Further, the present freedom of sharing information amongst the intelligence and issue of government directives enables the units to stand the ability to safeguard American civilization and the global society. This program outcome will help both the students and public to protect the cyberspace. This program outcome will ensure that students and the public have a flow of accurate, timely, and relevant information and intelligence about any form of terrorist threats. The students will apply this knowledge by following established information sharing processes and protocols as established by critical infrastructure and key resources. The students will also be able to provide intelligence and information to relevant security departments. Students will also be able to analyze and share risk management strategies in terms of air security. Students and the public will also be able to provide protocols on real time threats and incidents as they arise. The students and the public will be able to protect sensitive and valuable information regarding the air space. Program Outcome 3 The students and public will be able to develop and/or apply current aviation and industry related research methods, including problem identification, hypothesis formulation, and interpretation of findings to present as solutions in the investigation of an aviation / aerospace related topic. Students will be able to apply R&D required to achieve the vision as provided by the President’s Physical and Cyber security CIKR protection strategies. This strategic plan helps the student to plan and address common issues facing various sectors in the air industry. This will call for revision of goals and priorities over long term to respond to changes in threat, technology, environment, and others. This program outcome critically looks at the following systems in relation to accessing data and information and critically using it. This include detection and sensor systems, protection and prevention systems, entry and access portals, insider threats, analysis and decision support systems, response and recovery tools, human and social issues and lastly new and emerging threats and vulnerabilities. Through the homeland security, Act of 2002, which gives the science and technology the responsibility of air traffic advisory, students, will learn several technological strategies and responsibilities in developing and integrating a safer aviation platform for all airspace users. The outcome of this program include the students to present their proposals to FAA about six training and research sites that are require opening by the FAA for unmanned aircraft systems in US. This outcome will also help students to further their research on use of drones, which have been missing in American space for decades. According to FAA the use of drones, which are normally equipped with massive high-tech, cameras will help in improving security checks and patrols in the borders. The knowledge of drones will also help in research and rescue operations. Program Outcome 4: The students and the public will investigate, compare, contrast, analyze and form conclusions to current aviation, aerospace, and industry related topics in operations, including simulation systems, operations research, rotorcraft operations, communication and control systems, air carrier operations, and corporate operations, airport safety and certification. Students will be able to apply the knowledge of air defense by identification of all aircraft appearing in the air space of US and the international airspace boundaries. Students will be up to date with FAA protocols. After the 9/11 FAA had to change and amend most of its Acts. CFR amended 91.145, management of aircraft operations in the airspace of US. For this reason, sporting events and aerial demonstrations have faced very strict regulations. According to FAA air risk management measures are designed to prevent, deter, and mitigate the threat to reduce vulnerability to an attack or other disaster. DHS and its partners conduct exercises to identify, test, and improve coordination of the cyber incident response community. Program Outcome 5 The students will investigate, compare, contrast, analyze, and form conclusions to current aviation, aerospace, and industry related topics in safety systems, including system safety, industrial safety, accident investigation and analysis, transportation security, airport safety and certification, safety program management, and aviation psychology. Prioritizing risk management processes is vital in resource allocation, management, response and restoration of calm in terms of terror threats and attacks. This program outcome will help students to be able to identify cyber infrastructure through specific risk assessment process. The students need to identify individually or include as a cyber-element of a larger asset. The safety of the US airspace must be consistently assessed. Students will be able to study and understand terrorist and terrorist organization in addition to scrutinizing and understanding classified information. Students will also be able to have necessary information regarding the psychology of airspace and how to guide and control emergencies as they arise. While linking with DHS students will be able to understand intelligence and operations monitoring and reporting from multiple sources to provide information on threats incidents and infrastructure status (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association). Through this program, students will be able to account for the adversary’s ability to recognize the target and the deterrence value f existing security measures. This knowledge will also help students to identify any attack methods that may be launched in US airspace. The program outcome will help the students to estimate threat as the likelihood that any adversary would attempt a given attack method against the target. Works Cited Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. 25 Sep 2005. 2013 . Dennis Schaal, Skift. FAA turns its aviation oversight to unmanned drones in U.S. airspace. 13 Feb 2013. 2013 . Feickert, Andrew. CRS Report. New York: CRS, 2012. Habert, Adam. Ongoing operations and NORAD Response to Sept 11 Seamless iside air force. New York: NORAD, 2001. Hewitt, Hugh. Hewitt, Hugh. The War against the West: Crucial Conversations with the Most Informed Experts About Our Enemies, Our Defenses, Our Strategy and Our Leaders in the Long War against Islamist Extremism. . New York: Townhall Press, 2008. Pasquale, Cynthia Di. Air Sovereignty Alert ecomes Permanent Air guard Mission,Inside the air force. New York: Inside the Airforce, 2004. Wright, Lawrence. The Looming Tower: Al-qaeda and the Road to 9/11. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Read More