1- Go through the outline and the SWOT analysis that I will Provide.
2- Read the instructions that I will provide for making the COA paper
3- Make a Course of course of action (COA) paper by following the instructions paper that I will provide.
Executive Summary
The strategic plan on homeland security is a critical tool for maintenance of homeland security. However, the plan is subject to threats and weaknesses although there are opportunities and strengths associated with the establishing and implementation of the strategic plan. The aftermath of 9/11 necessitated the overhaul of the entire security apparatus in the United States. This was important because the attack implied that the security framework was flawed. The strategic plan requires incorporation of essential strategies in order to meet the plan objectives.
Introduction
The aftermath of the 9/11 attack was characterized by radical changes in the American homeland security structures. In this case, there were various security measures taken to avoid any similar attack in the future. A strategic plan was crafted for the purpose of putting into perspective, various issues pertaining to American homeland security. In this case, a strategic plan served as a central point of reference concerning improvements in homeland security. The strategic plan constituted of various items. According to Abbass and Essam (2013), the strategic plan has 7-fold objectives, including the creation of awareness, service delivery, prompt response, citizen protection, casualty prevention, adequate recovery and total quality management. Additionally, the strategic plan had weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and threats.
SWOT analysis is a core in the strategic plan because it enhances the achievement of the seven objectives. The analysis leads to prevention of attacks in advance instead of losing millions of lives in terror attacks. The analysis also promotes synergy and cooperation among the different security authorities. The analysis is a basis for the formation of credible and reliable strategies for security maintenance. The SWOT analysis involves the evaluation of the external environment, which constitutes of the threats and opportunities while the internal environment is also critically analyzed, and it involves the major strengths and weaknesses of the security structures (In Wright, In Peters and In Nyarko, 2014). A viability study was carried out to establish the viability of the new security measures. It included mock terrorist attacks aimed at preparing the American citizens on how to respond to a terror attack.
Strengths
The strengths of the homeland security strategic plan will include access control, law enforcement and disaster mitigation. Access control is critical because the control of the people who access security system information is important. It enables the security personnel to carry out their tasks efficiently, especially the federal bureau of investigation security wing. The limitation of access to vital security information is an important initiative in security maintenance. Law enforcement is also important because the plan enables the security personnel to implement the law indiscriminately. It serves as a deterrent measure for the lawbreakers. The initiative also scares away the terrorists. Disaster mitigation is also a good strength of the strategic security plan. According to United States (2013), disaster mitigation accrues various benefits to the citizens and the country at large. Disaster mitigation prevents massive loss of property and human lives. The initiative leads to maximum salvage of property and other assets. In this regard, the cost of a disaster occurrence is considerably decreased. Moreover, disaster mitigation helps in sensitization of the public on the tactics of recovering from a disaster occurrence. The initiative is also vital because the aftermath of a terror attack requires recovery measures. Therefore, prudence and optimism are the values promoted in disaster mitigation.
Weaknesses
Democratic and humanistic limitations constitute the weaknesses of the strategic plan for homeland security. The American nation advocates for democracy and justice and fairness. However, the lawbreakers like the terrorists compromise such vital values. For instance, the freedom guaranteed to people in America is abused by the terrorists who take advantage of such freedom. This Situation notwithstanding, democracy and freedom are still practiced in America. Vigilance is vital in the identification of terrorist elements in America (Whitley and Zusman, 2009). The American constitution upholds the human rights hence it is difficult to know with certainty the people involved in terrorist conspiring. The open, diverse and large society of America also poses problems on the part of security forces. Chertoff (2009) asserts that America is a metropolitan nation because it is inhabited by people from all walks of life and different races. In this regard, it is difficult to affect successful security surveillance in all parts of America. Additionally, the language barrier is a big problem. Such weaknesses cannot be comprehensively addressed in the strategic plan. Information systems also form a weakness of the strategic plan. The information system constitutes of massive information on the nation’s security. In this regard, any data hacking results in the exposure of the nation to terror attacks. The information systems are usually open to people’s consumption because it also forms part of the rights of the America citizens, the right to information.
Threats
Diffusion of technology leads to the overhaul of vital sectors of the American economy like transport, airport, and harbor security structures. Moreover, the global communication portals are also overhauled leading to exposure of the security strategies. The overhaul of these systems requires adequate security system monitoring to ensure that any loophole is sealed in advance. The utilization of control technology in security maintenance is also indispensable because of its role in the reliability of security structures. The fact that security systems require the input of telecommunication agencies implies that there is a potential threat of security information infiltration. Technological advancement also provides terrorists with techniques of hacking security information for their consumption. Terrorism is also characterized by dynamism and variances. These attributes of terrorism make terrorism unpredictable. Information technology is updated on a daily basis because of the continuous nature of research and development in the information technology discipline. Covered support of terrorism among some republics also poses a threat to the implementation of the strategic plan for homeland security.
Opportunities
The global consensus against terrorism paves the way for the elimination of the terrorist scourge. The collaboration of nations in tackling the challenge of terrorism leads to the harnessing of political, diplomatic, military and financial resources towards resolving the terrorism problem. Global consensus also boosts public awareness of the existence of terrorists among citizens. Bullock, Haddow and Coppola (2012) posits that the creation of awareness of terrorists in society is a major strategy towards the elimination of terrorism. When the citizens are incorporated in the identification of terrorist elements in society the work of the criminal investigation agencies becomes easier. International support is also vital because adequate resources lead to efficient tackling of terrorism. The international support takes the form of screening of cargos at the very airport across the world. This situation limits the chances of ferrying weapons of mass destruction of one part of the world to another. In this regard, the network of the terrorists is destroyed, hence reduction in terrorist attacks.
The 4 SWOT Sub-Strategies
1. Strength vs. Opportunity (SO)
Disaster mitigation process leads to the salvage o property, which reduces the losses incurred during a disaster occurrence. The collaboration of nations in this respect enhances the mitigation process because of the harnessed resources. In this regard, a global consensus promotes cooperation and collaboration of nations in tackling insecurity especially terrorism.
2. Strength vs. Threats (ST)
The strengths of homeland security teams sometimes pose threats to security. For instance, diffusion of technology enhances sophistication in information systems. The advancement in technology also enables the law breakers to advance in terrorist strategies. In this regard, the diffusion of technology also serves as a threat because the lawbreakers cannot be stopped from accessing sophisticated systems. In fact, technology enables the terrorists to infiltrate vital information.
3. Weakness vs. Opportunity (WO)
The fact that democracy is embraced in nations like the United States implies that even the law breakers perform their duties on account of democratic space. The respect and protection of human rights also accord the citizens including law breakers with an opportunity to claim their human rights in cases of gross misconduct. The provision makes the criminals use the loopholes available in law to their advantage. For instance, the right to fair trial provides the criminals with an opportunity to prepare for their defense in preparation for case proceedings. In some cases, criminals are acquitted on account of lack of adequate evidence.
4. Weakness vs. Threats (WT)
There are weaknesses in the strategic plan for homeland security, which also happen to be threats to the citizens. Information system helps in the streamlining of various processes in the security operations. However, the same efficient information systems enhance the activities of the law breakers. In fact, the information systems promote the access to vital information which is utilized by the offenders to carry out their unlawful acts. For instance, terrorism is dynamic, and it is subject to technological advancement. In fact, the covered support for terrorism is also a weakness and a threat at the same time.
Conclusion
The strategic plan for homeland security was aimed at establishing collaboration on security matters. Synergy was indispensable in the task of protecting all American citizens, especially after the 9/11 terror attack. The plan provides an opportunity for harnessing of support from various stakeholders responsible for internal and international security. Collaboration in this sense will enhance identification of threats in the security wing hence protection of citizens. The strategic plan also exposes the threats at an early stage. The internal and external environments in a security setting are analyzed to effect appropriate measures for security.
References
Abbass, H. A., & Essam, D. (2013). Applications of information systems to homeland security
and defense. Hershey, PA: Idea Group Pub.
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2012). Introduction to homeland security:
Principles of all-hazards risk management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Chertoff, M. (2009). Homeland security: Assessing the first five years. Philadelphia: University
of Pennsylvania Press.
In Wright, B. C., In Peters, K. A., & In Nyarko, K. A. (2014). Cases on Research and
Knowledge Discovery: Homeland Security Centers of Excellence.
United States. (2013). Homeland security: Assessing the needs of local law enforcement:
hearing before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs of the Committee on the Judiciary,
United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, second session, March 21, 2002.
Washington: U.S. G.P.O.
Whitley, J. D. & Zusman, L. K (2009). Homeland security: Legal and policy issues. Chicago, Ill:
ABA Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice.
