The primary role of Homeland security is to protect all states within the US against terrorist activities (Homeland Security). As a security umbrella, Homeland Security Enterprise has a serious duty of ensuring that all Americans are safe. As such, DHS has a responsibility to reduce terrorism vulnerability, minimize the damage that occurs as a result of terrorist attack, and help American citizens recover from this kind of disaster (Alperen 2011, 23). Therefore, this memorandum will highlight a number of ways that Homeland Security Enterprise can approve to increase effective use of intelligence within the organization.
There is no doubt that ensuring the national homeland security is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century due to the high level of technology and a number of problems that may arise when protecting the homeland. These problems are deeply rooted in the “over-centralization, pervasive complacency, and entrenched politics” (Mayer, Carafano, and Zuckerman 2012). These kinds of problems often make different states work improperly. As such, there is a need to increase the use of intelligence in order to ensure that these and many other obstacles are eradicated for safety of the American citizens.
Effective use of the intelligence will ensure that all the security enterprises are steps ahead of security threats caused by their enemies. This will not only guarantee national security but will also help in ensuring that all infrastructures are safe, and there is no data breach (Alperen 2011, 33). The use of effective intelligence security measures will improve multiple security products as well as minimize vulnerability of all security systems. Now, the question is how Homeland Security Enterprise can increase the effective use of intelligence.
First, there is a need to review the mandate and structure of Homeland Security Department (Homeland Security). Since the creation of Department of Homeland Security, its structure has not been reorganized. Therefore, there is a need to review and make numerous changes in the homeland security organization structure. This will ensure that the Homeland Security Enterprise is flexible. The restructuring of the organization should be based on the past and present security threats.
Secondly, there is a need to adopt an approach that would ensure the decrease of illegal immigration to the US (Homeland Security). The Homeland Enterprise should, therefore, adopt a fair, honest and realistic approach to immigration enforcement policies (White 2011, 27). This will make the local authority responsible for maintaining and implementing all the policies that discourage illegal border immigration. These measures are important in ensuring maximum border security as they pose a major threat to national security.
Thirdly, Homeland Security Enterprise should adopt policies that will ensure it focuses on its vision and mission (White 2011, 45). These policies involve maintaining the use of major counterterrorism tools. They consist of those authorized by the USA PATRIOT Act. In addition to these policies, there is a need to establish a national domestic counterterrorism and intelligence structure (Mayer, Carafano, and Zuckerman 2012). Such a structure will help the organization develop its intelligence, and eventually become steps ahead in combating terrorism.
In addition to this, there is a great need to re-evaluate the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (Mayer, Carafano, and Zuckerman 2012). Evaluating this docket will imply restructuring its mission. The mission of this department is to provide air transport services (Homeland Security). By re-evaluating the department, the Homeland Security Enterprise should also ensure that security policies are effectively adopted and implemented. This will call for improvements in air security through adoption of new and effective screening procedures.
In addition, the Department of Homeland Security should also be ready to work with other departments to increase its effectiveness (Mayer, Carafano, and Zuckerman 2012). As such, it should work with modal administrations and other departments that have adopted a regulatory system and implemented an operational and enforcement body in its security system (Homeland Security). Working hand-in-hand with such partners will help the DHS understand other systems and sectors (especially, the transportation industry, which is more vulnerable) in order to adopt and implement better intelligence security policies (Mayer, Carafano, and Zuckerman 2012). Collaboration with other department will also ensure that DHS will be able to handle hazardous materials and respond adequately to any emergency cases.
Last but not least, there is a need to enhance the process for declaring federal disasters and giving out homeland security grants (Homeland Security). With such measures, resource wastage will be effectively minimized, and security department will be more efficient in terms of emergency and disaster preparedness. This is because the system in place will effectively utilize all the resources for disaster management.
In summary, due to the high level of security threat, which has increased because enemies have adopted modern technology and techniques, there is a great need to increase effective use of intelligence within the Department of Homeland Security. Such measures will ensure that the national security will be improved, and Americans will be safe. To increase the use of intelligence, the DHS should review its structure, focus on its primary mission, work with other administrative bodies, adopt an approach to decrease illegal immigration to the US, and re-evaluate the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) (Homeland Security).
Reference List
Alperen, Martin. 2011. Foundations of Homeland Security: Law and Policies. New Jersey: John Wiles and Sons Publisher.
Homeland Security. 2012. The National strategy for Homeland Security. Web.
Mayer, Matt, Carafano, James and Jessica Zuckerman. 2012. Homeland Security 4.0: Overcoming Centralization, Complacency, and Politics. Web.
White, Jonathan. 2011. Terrorism and Homeland Security. Belmont: Wadsworth Publisher. Web.