| Home | Information Sharing & Analysis | Prevention & Protection | Preparedness & Response | Research | Commerce & Trade | Travel Security & Procedures | Immigration |
| About the Department | Open for Business | Press Room |
The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more
Release Date: 01/06/05 00:00:00
In March of 2004, the Secretary publicly identified seven key priorities for the second year of the department. Each of the priorities included specific actions that the department committed to achieving by March of 2005. Below is a report card on where the department currently stands with these important goals.
Critical to the Department’s mission is the ability to effectively share information with homeland security partners across the country to better protect the nation's critical infrastructure. In 2004, the Department dramatically expanded both its vertical information sharing capability and its ability to identify critical infrastructure throughout the country as well as additional protective measures that need to be taken to better secure the country. This includes the key Administration accomplishment of establishing the Terrorist Screening Center and the consolidated Terrorist Screening Database.
Homeland Security Information Network. Expanded this real-time computer based counter terrorism communications network to all 50 states, 5 territories, Washington, D.C. and 50 other major urban areas. Strengthens the two-way flow of current threat information to state, local, and private sector partners.
Homeland Security Information Network – Critical Infrastructure. Launched a pilot program to provide the Homeland Security Operations Center 24/7 access to information from a broad spectrum of industries, agencies and critical infrastructure across both the public and private sector.
Homeland Security Operations Center. Created to serve as the national hub for all information sharing, communications, and coordination pertaining to the prevention of terrorist attacks and domestic incident management.
National Infrastructure Coordination Center. Created to support the Homeland Security Operations Center by providing a centralized mechanism for quickly sharing information with the private sector in response to an incident.
Protective Security Advisors. Homeland security experts identified in major metropolitan communities across the country to serve as liaisons between the Department and other partners on issues of critical infrastructure protection.
National Cyber Alert System. Delivers targeted, timely, and actionable information to help Americans secure their computer systems. More than 270,000 direct subscribers receive these alerts.
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP). The Office of Infrastructure Protection compiled a database with input from state and local governments and the private sector consisting of over 80,000 assets. The database is a key component of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, which the Department is finalizing to implement better protective measures for key areas of critical infrastructure.
The ability of our nation’s first responders to communicate with each other as well as share equipment in times of crisis is absolutely critical. Solving this challenge is a long-standing, complex problem. In the past year we have taken several steps to address the immediate communications and equipment needs, while also making substantial progress towards a more long term and lasting solution.
Emergency Interoperability in High-Threat Cities. Implemented the RapidCom initiative to create the capability for immediate incident-level, interoperable emergency communications in ten high-threat urban areas: Boston; Chicago; Houston; Jersey City, N.J.; Los Angeles; Miami; Washington National Capitol Region; New York; Philadelphia; and San Francisco, CA.
Office of Interoperability and Compatibility. Established to better focus Federal, State and Local partnership directed at interoperability of emergency response communications, equipment, and training in every community in the country.
Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee. Created to coordinate and focus all Federal programming that address interoperability.
State Funds to Improve Interoperability. Since 9/11, allocated $280 million to fire, emergency medical service, and law enforcement personnel to communicate across jurisdictions. In the past three years, states have also received more than $13 billion for emergency preparedness, including funds that are being used for communications.
Standards for Compatible Equipment. Adopted new standards for major pieces of first responder equipment, including personal protective clothing for personnel working in contaminated areas.
Tools for Local, State, and Federal Efforts on Interoperability. Provided new tools and guidelines to local, state, and federal partners to guide future interoperability policy decisions. Developed a communications requirements document that will help guide Industry developments and public safety procurements of interoperability communications systems.
Coordinated Grant Guidance for the Purchase of Compatible Equipment. Instituted a grant integration process to ensure that when federal money is spent, it fosters interoperability and includes ODP state block grants, which will ultimately eliminate public safety stovepipes. This grant information, along with planning and management applications, collaborative tools and other relevant information will be available to the public safety community through a web portal.
Efforts to strengthen and more fully integrate security at the nation’s borders and ports while at the same time facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel have been furthered and fortified over the course of the past year.
Aerial Surveillance. Began utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to augment national security efforts along the Arizona-Mexico border.
Joint Border Operations. Assets are being deployed in coordinated efforts at specific border locations to stem the flow of illegal migrants and protect innocent lives. The Arizona Border Control (ABC) Initiative was implemented to address the mass illegal migration affecting the communities in the region. Due to the pressure put on smuggling organizations from the ABC Initiative, additional joint border operations are now underway in Los Angeles and San Diego.
Biometrics at the Border. Installed and implemented US-VISIT at all 115 International Airports and 14 Seaports as well as in the secondary processing areas of the 50 busiest land border crossings, which brings enhanced integrity to our nation's immigration systems.
Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI). SENTRI, which facilitates the fast and secure movement of people across the border, was launched at seven ports of entry.
Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes Cut Down Wait Times. Expedited low-risk trucks that provide security information in advance through the border inspection process, easing congestion and ensuring the timely delivery of goods. FAST lanes are currently operational at 11 northern and 7 southern border crossings.
Fast and Secure Visas. New international offices are currently being set up and will open by the end of 2005 to oversee issuance of visas to ensure that homeland security needs are taken into account at the point of issuance. DHS, in partnership with DOS, implemented new visa review policies to expedite turnaround times and provide better customer service to those seeking visas.
Container Security Initiative (CSI) Protecting our Ports. Expanded to 15 additional foreign ports bringing total to 33, including many under an agreement with the European Union to promote cargo security. CBP inspectors work in partnership with their foreign counterparts to identify and screen high-risk cargo.
Maritime Security Regulations. Implemented new maritime security regulation in July that required vessel and facility owners to complete security assessments, develop security plans and implement new protective measures and procedures at all U.S. ports. Reviewed and approved over 10,500 domestic vessel security plans and 5,000 domestic facility security plans; verified security plan implementation on 8,100 foreign vessels; set to complete 55 domestic and over 100 foreign port security assessments.
Passenger Name Records (PNR) Agreement with European Union. Reached a landmark agreement to allow review of incoming air passengers from European countries with robust privacy protections in place
Throughout the past year, the Department has worked to harness the potential of emerging technologies, while providing support to both public and private research efforts aggressively seeking the next generation of scientific tools.
BioWatch Expansion. Deployed additional environmental sensor systems to new metropolitan areas to protect our nation’s cities from the threat and ramifications of a bioterrorist attack.
Next Generation Chemical and Biological Detection. Engaged in creating more sensitive devices that are less subject to producing false positives, which provides real-time monitoring of facilities. New biological efforts include shorter response time sensing capabilities for BioWatch. Chemical initiatives are underway to detect Non-Traditional Agents (NTAs) and a Laboratory Response Network in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services. Chemical threat detection systems deployed in Boston, New York and Washington D.C. subway/transportation systems for National Special Security Events.
Nuclear Materials Detection. Presently developing new capabilities and a corresponding architecture for detection of nuclear materials through a new coordinating office, which will outline an investment strategy for nuclear material detection R&D as well as procurement and deployment of next-generation technologies.
All Hazards Detection and Response. Deployed a new pilot program to three urban cities through the Regional Technology Integration initiative that will provide an integrated urban area “all-hazards” detection and emergency response system.
Threat Awareness. Presently developing new capabilities to depict the geographic distribution of threats across the United States and to search underlying databases for information on the possible actors, agents, potential severity of attacks, and extent of the effects of such attacks.
Educational and Academic Excellence. Launched the first ever Homeland Security Centers of Excellence at the University of Southern California, Texas A&M, and University of Minnesota. Each will focus on a specific area of study and research pertaining to the fight against terrorism. To date, over 200 students have been selected through the through the Homeland Security Scholars and Fellows program, for grants to assist study of science and technology issues that support the homeland security mission.
Helping communities become better prepared to protect against or respond to a terrorist attack or major disaster is essential to the nation’s security. This past year, the Department provided resources, training, and funding to support the job of those who stand on the frontlines of community protection – our first responders. While at the same time, the Department has invested in public education efforts to further engage citizens to take an active role in the security of their homes and families.
National Response Plan (NRP). Created the National Response Plan along with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to make our communities safer. The NIMS establishes a core set of doctrine, principles, terminology, and organizational processes. The NRP, a new way of doing business between governments and the private sectors, integrates existing and formerly disparate response systems.
Billions in Grant Funding. Disbursing nearly $13 billion in grants for the purchase of equipment, training, planning and exercises to better prepare our nation’s first responders. Our grants programs enhance preparedness across the country while targeting resources to those areas that need them most.
Extended Training and Exercise. Provided WMD/terrorism training to more than 379,701 first responders and conducted 177 exercises and drills for groups such as sports venues and universities.
Ready Campaign. Expanded this vital public education effort to teach Americans basic preparedness through Ready Business and extensive partnerships. 58% of Americans have taken one of three key actions. This is up from around 30% following 9/11.
Citizen Corps. Made Citizen Corps Councils available to 50% of the U.S. population. Achieved a 73% increase in Councils growing from 775 to 1, 339. Expanded the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program from 525 teams to 1,303.
The Department has introduced as well as improved services for immigrants that will make the naturalization process more efficient and customer friendly.
Backlog Reduction. Reduced the cycle time of nearly every case-type during 2004, including those who are seeking citizenship indicating a 21% increase in productivity.
Improved Customer Service. Introduced InfoPass, an innovative and user-friendly Internet-based appointment scheduling system offered in 12 languages, which has been implemented in every district and prevents the need to wait in long lines. Expanded its E-Filing program, allowing customers to apply for immigration benefits online. The new bilingual National Customer Service Center has served more than 14 million customers.
Naturalizations and Citizenship Information. Welcomed over 1,016,000 new American citizens, including more than 10,000 military personnel from March 2003 through November 2004. Released the landmark guide, "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants" in 2004.
National Security and Immigration System Integrity. Established the Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, which developed and implemented a joint anti-fraud structure and initiative that detects and refers suspected cases of benefit fraud. Conducted more than 35 million background and security checks on 100% of those seeking immigration benefits.
Humanitarian Efforts. Adjudicated refugee applications of more than 95,000 individuals and completed over 200,600 asylum cases between March 2003 and December 2004.
The Department has focused on various management initiatives in order to build on its efforts to integrate functions and enhance capabilities.
New DHS Human Resources Management System. In response to public and employee representative comments, DHS is considering implementing performance management in 2005 to allow time for evaluation of that critical component before phasing in the human resource system in FY 2006.
Leadership Development Curriculum. Kicked off the first-ever Senior Leadership Training and Development Conference in 2004 and partnered with the U. S. Coast Guard to provide training opportunities to senior Department executives.
DHS One Network. Continued to develop and integrate: Email and Directory Services, Network Operations, Collaborative Tools including Desktop Services, Data Center Operations, and IT Operations Services Centers.
Private Sector One-Stop Shop. Activated the “DHS Open for Business” homepage on the DHS Internet website and included 1,100 new procurements that the Department plans on executing in 2005 so that the private sector can position them to compete.
Functional Integration. Reduced: 22 different human resources servicing offices to 7, 8 different payroll systems to 2, 19 financial management providers to 8, and 27 bank card programs to 3.
###
This page was last modified on 01/06/05 00:00:00