Assignment

Nicholas Gardner

The Department of Homeland Security (or DHS) regularly publishes a list of strategic challenges to national security in the United States. The challenges are aspects of their mission in which need the most emphasis and directed efforts, although the challenges are fundamentally similar in the fact that they are threats to America, they each have their own specific subdivisions of threat and are categorized by DHS as such. In 2014 the DHS listed their six strategic challenges as followed: Terrorism, Cyber terrorism, Nuclear terrorism, Biological concerns, Transnational criminal organizations, and Natural hazards.

Like almost all government functions, the private sector makes a huge impact on decisions and actions of the federal government, homeland security is no different in this manner. The private sector is often a huge help to the government when it comes to securing the nation in many of the six challenges, whether it be awareness in regards to terrorism, or reporting of cyber terrorism, or even assistance in natural hazards preparation or aftermath. From government campaigns like "see something, say something" to civilian aid groups who assist the government in natural disasters, the civil sector plays a huge role in the determination of risks by the federal government. (DHS, 2014)

A great example of the private sector aiding the government in reducing risk is the previously mentioned "see something, say something" campaign". On DHS's website, they urge citizens to take action, urging people to look for suspicious activities, "But your every day is different than your neighbor's-filled with the moments that make it uniquely yours. So, if you see something you know shouldn't be there-or someone's behavior that doesn't seem quite right-say something" (DHS.gov, 2017). This is a great example of the private sector getting involved to help with the DHS strategic challenge of terrorism.

Although there are always going to be examples that prove the contrary, for the most part, American citizens and cooperation's often are an asset to combating terrorism and the other identified threats to our nation. Citizens are evolving as the threats against our nation are, and people are America's key infrastructure. With that being said, it is safe to say they are often as asset to national security.

Resources:

Department of Homeland Security (2014). 2014 Quadrennial homeland security review. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

DHS.GOV. (2017). If You See Something, Say Something. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something

Megan Sonnek

Homeland Security is not an exclusive government venture. The ability to advance national security requires the efforts of private sector as well as private companies. Cooperation yields success and more efficient policies and procedures that help mitigate threats and risks that our community inherits. The overall, national community is composed of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Private sector companies have an ability to strengthen infrastructure and support local communities in their efforts to combat and identify threats. Under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, agreements and contracts with airlines, shippers, and multi-national corporations enable the lawful movement of people and goods while ensuring national security measures are being properly upheld.

A great example of cooperation is the Air Cargo Advance Screening pilot program. After the attempted attack in 2010 by al-Qaeda towards an international cargo system The Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with the private sector established a program that benefits both the productivity of private companies as well as the promotion of national security and interests.

Furthermore, by instituting policies and procedures that would ensure the safety of commodities it also resulted in enhanced efforts to secure America's borders through port and waterway transportation and trade. The prevention of terrorism has an immediate effect on the enhancement of security as well as national preparedness and resilience. By private sectors joining the initiative for strengthening America's borders they promote education in identifying risks, threats and behaviors that are alarming or out of the ordinary.

Additionally, private sector companies that collaborate with national security also partner with other corporations. The natural egress of policies and procedures among companies and corporations held develop relationships that consult, explore and form an extensive network of private sector enterprises that benefit from safeguarding their product and their travel.

The success of private sector companies as it applies to national security is the joint belief and aligned interests of public-private partnerships. Primarily, the interest of investment, incentives and regulations, influence homeland security but also the vitality of the private industry. Furthermore, there is a unique understanding that the safety and security of people and property, the protection of sensitive information, effective risk management, the development of new technology, reputation enhancement, and improved business processes is a critical cornerstone for community pliability.

Works Cited

Johnson, J. C. (2014). The 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. Department of Homeland Security. Washington, DC: Congress.