Capabilities and Limitations of Intelligence
Intelligence plays a crucial role in supporting homeland security efforts. Although the field was initially aimed at tracking the intentions and goals of foreign governments through the concept of neorealism, it has changed significantly within the past three decades. The term “intelligence” is presently used to describe various roles such as monitoring terrorism plans, addressing cybercrime, safety planning, disaster preparedness, and integrity of critical infrastructures in the United States (Dilek, Cakir, & Aydin, 2015).
The intelligence community is comprised of a number of elements. This means that there are security agencies such as the FBI and the CIA, private business entities, public organizations, and police departments. These departments collaborate, share timely information and data, and engage in a wide range of processes to mitigate potential threats. The military is also part of the intelligence community since it offers adequate support to maintain the integrity of different national and private assets (Dilek et al., 2015). Superior groups such as the Interagency National Gang Intelligence Center (INGIC) and the Joint Interagency Task Force (JITF) are also part of this community.
Oliver, Oliver, Marion, and Hill (2014) indicate that security efforts are carried out on both the international and domestic front. Each player in the sector focuses on a specific roles and obligations in an attempt to track and mitigate possible threats. The agencies also engage in decision-making processes to deliver positive outcomes. Each of these stakeholders offers reach-back and analytical support to the department of homeland security (Dilek et al., 2015). These key functions play a positive role in safeguarding the nation’s facilities and natural resources. The actors also assist different law enforcement agencies and officers inside and outside the country to apprehend suspects and criminals. The involvement of international agencies makes it easier for the DHS to monitor challenges associated with cybercrime and global insecurity. Multinational companies also offer timely information that can be used to protect and maintain the integrity of critical infrastructures in the country.
From this analysis, it is evident that the existing nature of collaboration makes it easier for every agency to support every homeland security effort. The provision of adequate resources and the use of advanced systems managed by stakeholders are some of the processes that support these efforts. The coordinated nature of operations has the potential to deliver results. The inclusion of private and public corporations introduces competent persons and professionals who can ensure that the fight against cyber terrorism is pursued successfully. Irons and Lallie (2014) argue that the United States’ national intelligence has expanded to become a powerful enterprise that brings together many individuals and agencies. This situation creates the best environment for efficient implementation of a wide range of services. As technological applications continue to be utilized within the field of intelligence, experts believe strongly that the community will support every homeland security initiative and protect the lives of many people.
The above analysis has revealed that the country’s coordinated intelligence efforts are capable of delivering positive results. On the other hand, there are various limitations or impediments that might disorient the effectiveness of these intelligence agencies as they strive to support homeland security efforts (Oliver et al., 2014). To begin with, there is a gap when it comes to the harmonization of most of the efforts undertaken by state, federal, and national agencies. This means that different players have not been able to share crucial data. This gap has hampered most of the security efforts undertaken by the enterprise community. The challenge of funding has also been supported by many theorists and analysts. Zamora (2014) argues that the decision by the national government to recruit many employees within the intelligence fraternity is an idea that can deliver positive results. Unfortunately, these workers are not supported or encouraged to work as teams.
This malpractice has increased the amount of resources and funds used to support different agencies. The use of undercover professionals within the intelligence field in the country is something that has attracted negative criticism from a number of policymakers and theorists (Dilek et al., 2015). This means that the strategies decrease the level of cooperation, thereby making it impossible for different agencies to pursue their goals (Irons & Lallie, 2014). The issue of liberty has been sacrificed in an attempt to maximize safety. This is the case because most of the processes are undertaken without focusing on the liberties and rights of American citizens.
Towards the future, there is a need for policymakers in this area to consider a number of issues such as poor coordination, lack of supportive systems, and failure to attract professionals from the private sector if positive results are to be realized. It is also agreeable that the number of potential risks and threats to the homeland security are on the rise (Oliver et al., 2014). Any move aimed at addressing most of these limitations will deliver positive results and support the expectations of every American citizen.
Homeland Security Enterprise: Identifying and Addressing Future Challenges
Since 9/11, the U.S. Department of Homeland Safety (DHS) has been keen to implement numerous efforts and models to deal with any form of external threat or attack. The department has managed to coordinate different activities and attract more stakeholders. In the recent past, the concept of leadership has been redefined in an attempt to deal with emerging challenges. I strongly believe that the homeland security enterprise has developed the right measures that can ensure that current and future challenges are addressed efficiently. For instance, the introduction of advanced technologies and applications are making it easier for different agencies to verify and identify foreign visitors coming into the country (Sutherland, 2014). The technology is capable of collecting a person’s biometric information, thereby increasing chances of identifying potential criminals and terrorists.
Secure Flight is a new plan that is capable of screening passengers and selecting those who might be in possession of bombs or capable of committing terrorist acts (Mamandi & Yari, 2014). The plan also makes it easier for airports to screen and check luggage. The introduction of the National Preparedness Guidelines (NPG) is something that makes it easier for different corporations and agencies to be prepared for any form of threat. The model empowers individuals and organizational leaders to implement evidence-based measures to deal with specific catastrophes whenever they strike. The National Disaster Recovery (NDR) is playing a positive role in evaluating any form of risk posed by biological and chemical threats. This entity has been collaborating with different agencies within the homeland security enterprise to deal with any potential threat (Mamandi & Yari, 2014). These aspects, therefore, show conclusively that this project has been keen on implementing adequate processes and measures that have the potential to identify and protect more people from different threats.
Sutherland (2014) acknowledges that there are specific gaps that are disorienting the model of this enterprise. For instance, different agencies have failed to identify and implement modern technologies that can address a wide range of challenges or threats that can affect the lives of many people. For example, foreigners in the country are not monitored to identify their actions and activities. Some hazards that might arise from chemicals are not carefully monitored. This is the case because most of the agencies have been focusing on predicaments such as terrorism and crime.
Mamandi and Yari (2014) observe that a number of processes and programs appear to be redundant. This means that a given initiative undertaken by one particular agency might be replicated or pursued by another. This kind of duplication has led to misuse of resources. Different partners also implement their unique models that conflict with the ones associated with other agencies. This issue makes it impossible for the enterprise to focus on coordinated efforts or initiatives. These features make it impossible for different stakeholders to pursue most of the targeted goals successfully.
Although most of the strategies and initiatives can be used to identify and adequately address emerging challenges, there are gaps that can make it impossible for the enterprise to support the needs of different people. The failure of different private organizations to share their resources due to the nature of business models is a challenge that exposes their critical infrastructure assets to external threats (Zamora, 2014). For example, many corporations in the telecommunication sector might not share ideas and resources since they compete with one another. This malpractice is something that exposes their assets and resources to potential threats such as cyberterrorism.
The problems of excessive wastage of resources and absence of transparency are making it hard for different agencies to pursue similar objectives. The challenge of misuse arises from the fact that the government has hired many people to pursue similar goals (Mamandi & Yari, 2014). The problem of fraud makes it impossible for different individuals to present evidence-based information that can be used to identify potential threats. The inability of different organizations and agencies to forge desirable partnerships is something that makes it impossible for them to share information efficiently (Sutherland, 2014). These obstacles have been observed to affect the effectiveness of the homeland security enterprise. Different agencies such as the CIA and FBI have been unable to distribute information due to the nature of their operational models. Consequently, the malpractice has resulted in a situation whereby some foreign criminals go undetected.
Modern technologies have been implemented in specific areas such as in airport systems. The enterprise has not considered the role of innovative ideas in improving the integrity of different critical infrastructures and assets. Government professionals have been reluctant to interact with experts from the private sector. This is a major concern that affects the effectiveness of different collaborative efforts (Sutherland, 2014). This analysis should, therefore, inform the implementation of new models and initiatives that can address every limitation. By so doing, the capabilities of intelligence in supporting every form of homeland security initiative will be maximized.
References
Dilek, S., Cakir, H., & Aydin, M. (2015). Applications of artificial intelligence techniques to combating cyber crimes: A review. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence & Applications, 6(1), 21-39. Web.
Irons, A., & Lallie, H. S. (2014). Digital forensics to intelligent forensics. Future Internet, 6(3), 584-596. Web.
Mamandi, K., & Yari, S. (2014). A global perspective on cybercrime. Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(2), 33-37. Web.
Oliver, G., Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. (2014). Introduction to homeland security: Policy, organization, and administration. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Sutherland, D. W. (2014). Homeland security and civil liberties: Preserving America’s way of life. Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy, 19(1), 289-308.
Zamora, M. F. (2014). Intelligence failures: Matters of homeland and national security. Journal of Homeland and National Security Perspectives, 1(1), 1-12.