Security Challenges Facing Seaport Operations Day 1 - Module 3

2 MODULE OBJECTIVES This module will enable you to: –Identify the security challenges existing in the seaport environment –Understand the scope and magnitude of potential threats to seaports –Familiarize you with practical examples of security problems likely to be faced by security professionals at seaports

3 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AT SEAPORTS Seaports are exceptionally vulnerable to: International / domestic criminal activity Terrorism Smuggling of drugs, weapons, and illegal migrants

4 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AT SEAPORTS - VULNERABILITIES Internal conspiracies –Present the greatest challenge to security and law enforcement at seaports –Exploit vulnerabilities –Exploit industry employees access to seaport areas and/or specific knowledge of customs and security activities –Facilitate and monitor illegal shipments concealed inside cargo shipments of legitimate importers / exporters Stowaways and trafficking in illegal aliens

5 CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AT SEAPORTS Trade fraud and commercial conspiracies Environmental crimes Cargo theft Unlawful export of controlled goods, munitions, stolen property, and drug proceeds

6 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Recognized universal standardization of port facility security programs have not existed “Security” has meant different things to different organizations –Working definition of “Security”: Measures aimed at neutralizing vulnerability to criminal activity and security threats The IMO/ISPS Code is designed to provide minimum standards that have not previously been in place: –Universal security guidelines to strengthen maritime security

7 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Seaports operate within a dynamic intermodal transport system; weak links between components = higher vulnerability: –A relatively secure seaport is still exposed by vulnerabilities within the larger intermodal system in which it operates –Linkages (airports, rail yards, truck yards, highways, etc.) are exceptionally vulnerable

8 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Seaport security operations involve a variety of international, national, and local agencies over which the seaport authorities themselves often have no direct control: –Customs –Police, fire, emergency medical services –Immigration and agriculture agencies –Coast Guard and harbor authorities –Transportation and utility regulating bodies (railroads, highways, etc) –Labor unions, etc.

9 PORT SECURITY AWARENESS Information and intelligence sharing enhances port security awareness. Vulnerabilities include: –Inadequate intelligence sharing (i.e., the integration and synchronization of activity among agencies) –Insufficient law enforcement resources –Inaccurate data on crime statistics - much criminal activity goes unreported, patterns missed –Lack of regularly scheduled security forum or committee, and interagency collaborative processes

10 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Insufficient access control represents the most common vulnerability of seaports to criminal activity –Procedures for determining access authorization may vary from port to port – vehicles, cargo, and people –No photo identification cards, security access lists, background checks –Need for central security monitoring –Control access of public transportation to port facility

11 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Seaport security is the shared responsibility of all the stakeholders / agencies involved in port facility operations –Interagency cooperative port security forum or committee could be established to synchronize security efforts –Without sustainable efforts to coordinate and integrate each stakeholder’s role, the port’s security could be compromised

12 ROLE OF SEAPORT SECURITY Seaports are complex operations which involve a multitude of local, national, and international entities: –Inconsistent security standards that cannot be enforced Responsibility for seaport security must be shared among stakeholders and agencies to ensure efficient and effective seaport operations –Port management –Departments of Transportation –Cargo operators –Cruise lines –Shipping lines –Stevedores –Employees –Labor groups –Vendors

13 CONSIDERATIONS FOR SEAPORT SECURITY Common difficulties in securing seaports with respect to the diversity found among various seaports: –The type of national governance –The port organizational structure (private, public, multijurisdictional) –Funding mechanisms –Law enforcement and regulatory authorities –Geography (island, peninsula, proximity to metropolitan areas) –Labor structure (union, non-union, government) –Commercial operations –Cargo vs. cruise operations Leadership is the most important factor in resolving these difficulties

14 PRIMARY CHALLENGES TO SECURING SEAPORTS Cooperative leadership among all those having an interest in seaport operations Improved communication among all seaport personnel Improvements in technologies and methods of searching and inspecting cargo and ships for contraband

15 ADDRESSING CHALLENGES TO SECURING SEAPORTS Statewide Security Assessment of Florida Seaports identified the areas where port management has the greatest opportunity to positively impact security: –Leadership (This is the single most important element) –Access control –Photo ID cards –Fingerprint based criminal history background checks –Law enforcement presence –Standing port security committee or council –Port security planning –High-mast lighting –Segregated parking to prohibit POV access –Information security awareness

Questions?