Maritime Transportation System Security Plan

NSPD 41/HSPD 13 Main >> Supporting Plans >> Maritime Transportation System Security Plan

The Maritime Transportation System Security Recommendations (PDF, 22 pages - 407 KB) is one of eight plans  developed in support of the National Strategy for Maritime Security, as directed by National Security Presidential Directive-41/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-13.  In addition to drawing on the expertise of federal agencies represented in the Maritime Transportation System Security working group, this plan also reflects the insight and concerns of a wide array of public and private stakeholders.

A Systems Approach to Creating Layered “Security Nets”

The Recommendations’ primary goal is to improve the security of the maritime transportation system, while preserving its functionality and efficiency.

• The maritime transportation system is a network of maritime and shoreside operations that interface at intermodal connections. This network is part of an overall global supply chain. From this perspective, improving security of the maritime transportation system focuses on four primary elements:
  
  
  
  – Component Security. Individual physical components (e.g., vessels, vehicles, facilities, infrastructure items, and cargo) must have measures in place to prevent exploitation and to protect against attack.  
  
  
  
  – Interface Security. Points where different components of the maritime transportation system or modes of transportation interact must be fortified against security threats.
  
  
  
  – Information Security. Key data systems must be protected against corruption or exploitation by terrorists, while providing uninterrupted support to maritime operations (including security management functions).
  
  
  
  – Network Security. Network security is the “big picture view” that focuses on enhancing security through the overarching systems that drive the maritime transportation system as a whole.

• Strategic recommendations will create layers of security. To effectively mitigate critical system security risks, the Recommendations apply a systems-oriented security approach built upon layers of protection and defense-in-depth.

Recommendations

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of eight recommendations:

• Risk Management. Risk assessment methodologies must be developed and applied consistently to prioritize and track the outcomes of security improvement efforts.
• Security Information Management. An interagency security data management plan will improve the quality, transparency, sharing, and protection of critical security information among all appropriate maritime transportation system stakeholders, including federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as maritime transportation system operators.
• International and National Regulatory Framework. The international and national regulatory framework established by the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 must be continually improved.
• Stakeholder Responsibility and Coordination. A coordinated network of stakeholders must be created and managed, who understand and accept their roles/responsibilities for ensuring maritime security and are actively engaged in collaborative efforts to reduce security risks in the maritime domain.
• Credentialing. U.S. authorities must be able to identify with confidence: individuals working aboard commercial vessels and operating recreational boats; whether an entity in the U.S. maritime domain is foreign or domestic; and workers at land-based facilities and critical infrastructure components within the U.S. maritime transportation system.
• Leverage Safety Frameworks. We must examine international, national, and industry transportation safety frameworks with respect to potential terrorist attack scenarios and determine whether or not reasonable safety enhancements can significantly improve the inherent security of the maritime transportation system.
• Security Technology. By promoting the development of security technologies, the U.S. will be able to address security gaps and improve the current maritime transportation system security network.
• Security Training. The U.S. must ensure that port and maritime personnel both domestically and internationally are properly trained in maritime security, in accordance with their function within the maritime transportation system.

This page was last reviewed/modified on April 30, 2008.