White House's National Strategy for Homeland Security Calls for Enhancing Existing Cargo Security Programs, Etc.

According to the Strategy, this updated version builds directly on the first National Strategy for Homeland Security issued in July 2002,¹ reflects increased understanding of the terrorist threats confronting the U.S. today, incorporates lessons learned from exercises and real-world catastrophes - including Hurricane Katrina - and proposes new initiatives and approaches that will enable the U.S. to achieve its homeland security objectives.

Continued Improvement in Cargo Security Measures

To counter terrorists' potential exploitation of the global supply chains through which cargo enters the U.S. and particularly to prevent the introduction of nuclear and radiological material into the U.S., the Strategy calls for continued expansion of the type of information the U.S. collects as well as improved cargo screening, scanning, and detection procedures and systems at foreign ports. Specifically the Strategy calls for:

CSI, Megaports, SFI. The Strategy states that enhancing the Container Security Initiative, Megaports Initiative, and Secure Freight Initiative, among other international, multilateral, and bilateral efforts, is an important step toward developing a more robust global inspection and detection architecture for the 21st century. The U.S. will combine these efforts with strengthened interdiction measures for all types of cargo and all modes of transport to further constrain the mobility of terrorists, their weapons, and other material.

Cargo screening/scanning at U.S. maritime and land ports. The U.S. will continue to strengthen and enhance screening, scanning, and detection capabilities at all U.S. maritime ports and land ports of entry for cargo entering, leaving, and moving within the country.

C-TPAT. In order to improve the security of international commercial systems and supply chains, the U.S. will enhance the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) to further develop public-private partnerships with the full range of partners involved in commerce and transportation. This integrated public-private partnership will be important in stimulating the development and implementation of best practices, risk management approaches, and industry codes of conduct. According to the Strategy, risk assessment is a critical element of corporate valuations, so companies that minimize risk will be rewarded by the market.

U.S. Should Focus on Four Homeland Security Goals

The Strategy states that the U.S. should focus its efforts on the following four homeland security goals:

Preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks;

Protecting the American people, its critical infrastructure, and key resources;

Responding to and recovering from incidents that do occur; and

Continuing to strengthen the foundation to ensure long-term success by creating and transforming U.S. homeland security principles, systems, structures, and institutions. This includes applying a comprehensive approach to risk management, building a culture of preparedness, developing a comprehensive Homeland Security Management System, improving incident management, better utilizing science and technology, and leveraging all instruments of national power and influence.

¹The Strategy states that it also complements both the National Security Strategy issued in March 2006 and the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism issued in September 2006.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/25/02 news, 02072599 1, for BP summary of President Bush's 2002 National Strategy for Homeland Security.)

National Strategy for Homeland Security (dated October 2007) available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/nshs/NSHS.pdf

White House Fact Sheet: National Strategy for Homeland Security available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/homeland/

National Strategy for Homeland Security (dated July 2002) available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/book/nat_strat_hls.pdf