Emergency Management Blogs

Emergency Management Blog - Eric Holdeman: Disaster Zone
Port Security Today

by Eric Holdeman: Port Security in the blogosphere

Subscribe via RSS | About this Blog | Contact Eric Holdeman | Blog Roll

May 20, 2013

Homeland Security Outlook hosts two maritime security conferences, one East and the other West.   

 

The Maritime Security 2013 West Conference is being held 19-21 August in Long Beach, California.  It will bring together public and private stakeholders from all levels to discuss, learn and collaborate on strategies and technology use in mitigating security threats posed to the maritime domain.


The panel sessions and presentations are designed to give all participants the actionable knowledge on how to better secure their maritime areas of responsibility by highlighting available resources and best practices. Each topic will be comprehensively addressed with the critical perspectives of those who have implemented successful strategies and cutting-edge technologies in their maritime security operations.


Maritime Security 2013 West will also host an exhibition of 30 companies that have highly relevant solutions and past performances in securing the maritime domain. 

 

The sequestration has put a cramp in many events due the limited ability of Federal personnel to travel.  There was supposed to be a FBI Headquarter's sponsored Maritime Critical Infrastructure event in Seattle later this Fall.  It was cancelled due to budget issues.  This Maritime Security West Conference is one of the few places I know that is still having an event away from the D.C. area.

 

Click here to Register

 



Leave a comment
May 13, 2013

GAO recently issued a report on the Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) and the biometric readers that are supposed to fielded within the transportation field.  See TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION

 

 

If this were a thriller the villain would be the TWIC card and its side kick the biometric reader.  The Feds continue to press on, but I think when Congress gets to the hearing process there will be a real problem because the advocates for the TWIC reader are far and few between.  

 

If the biometric readers do crash and burn it will leave us with a very expensive "flash pass" form of identification.  

 

The next chapter in the saga will be coming soon. 

 


2 comments
March 21, 2013

At long last we will have the opportunity to review the Final TWIC Rule.  AAPA put out a notice yesterday 

It appears that it may not be as stringent as originally proposed (years ago) with smaller water craft being excluded.  This is our opportunity to comment, so if you have something to say about the ruling let your thoughts be heard.
Don Bruce shared this information.
 


Leave a comment
March 18, 2013

This is a project that I've been proud to be associated with. See the Port Security Social Media Project's about page for general information, and then poke around the site to get more details on what this new mobile app is going to be able to do for port security in particular and emergency management in general.

 

When the application is officially launched I'll give you the background on how it came about and the partner involvement.  


Leave a comment
March 17, 2013

While it is not published yet in the Federal Register, the OMB Announced Approval of the TWIC Reader NPRM  This information was in the Chemical Facility Security News blog and shared by Don Bruce.

 

It is an interesting coincidence that the FFY13/Round 13 grant guidance might "maybe" be coming out about the same time as the final rule.  More likely the grant guidance will come later.  To get your projects in on time will require a sprint to do cost estimates and see if you can accomplish the installation of readers within the new two year time constraint that is expected for Port Security Grants.  Or, I suppose folks may wait for the final rule to be published and approved before doing anything on biometric TWIC readers.

 

One thing for sure, every grant year the feds make it an interesting process.  Ports and marine terminals are like folks at the end of the line when playing "whiplash" on roller skates or ice skates.  The big impact comes to the people on the tail!

 

 

 

 

 


Leave a comment
March 13, 2013

In the world of marketing and pitching your ideas and services the infographic has come forward as one way to quickly provide information in an easily discernible manner.  This form of communication is ideal for posters and other "quick read" formats that dominate how people want to digest information these days.  

 

Long paragraphs and a lack of pictures or graphics is a sure way to eliminate anyone from wanting to read what you have to say on a topic.

 

So check out this The Activity & Security of U.S. Ports infographic.  Nothing spectacular about it other than it is a quick read and good highlights you might need for your next security or port presentation.  Better than a bunch of bullet points on a PowerPoint!

 

Shaun Walker shared the link.


Leave a comment
February 23, 2013

I was poking around looking for a specific course offered by the Department of Homeland Security.  You can see their training list at Commercial Facilities Sector Training and Resources  

 

Instead of finding what I was looking for I came across a PowerPoint briefing from one our nation's Protective Security Advisors (PSA).  Check it out at Securing the Nation Nation’s critical infrastructures one community at a time

 

 

It is about four years old, but it does a nice job of showing how everything fits together at the Federal level down to the role of the Protective Security Advisor.  Every state has one designated.  If you don't know yours be sure and make an appointment to meet with him or her.

 

Dave Holcomb is Washington State's.  


  


Leave a comment
February 22, 2013

There was much ado about the recent announcement that there is a Chinese military unit that has been probing and robbing information from American companies.  See the Washington Post story at Report ties cyberattacks on U.S Computer to Chinese military

 

While port security has traditionally been about physical security our sights need to expand to these electronic threats that are not going away.  As security systems become more tied to technology we become more vulnerable to a different type of threat.  Most modern security systems are now IP based and that makes them a potential target for disruption.  This vulnerability includes access control systems and digital cameras.  

 

We need a close alliance with our IT departments and the expertise they bring to the table.  Additionally, as systems are transitioned to the digital world our staff need to understand what they can do as individuals to protect the systems that are protecting critical infrastructure.  


Leave a comment
January 18, 2013

When you look in the mirror what do you see?  The perspective of the person with the eyes is what counts.  It may change with age, experience or interests.  So too, how people and organizations view the Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) may depend on where they are coming from and what it means to their bottom line.  

 

I know from talking to people who have to install and operate TWIC biometric systems that the road to TWIC implementation has taken too long and is not considered a "success" by the end users of the "new and improved security system."  A identification system may be needed, but the effectiveness of the system and the cost to implement are appropriate considerations.

 

Having said that there are others who are strong proponents of TWIC and other security identification systems.  Such as the International Biometrics & Identification Association (IBIA).  IBIA is a non-profit trade group that advocates and promotes the responsible use of technologies for managing human identity. It fulfills its mission through advocacy, education and outreach. For more information on them visit www.ibia.org

 

They responded to recent articles on TWIC with Recent Trade Press Articles Inaccurately Depict TWIC Program  My only caution to the reader is to be discerning.  One of the missions of trade groups is to promote their trade.  There are hundreds of millions of dollars on the table and at risk if the biometric readers required by legislation are not implemented.  The information provided may be right on the money and appropriate in correcting misperceptions.  However, this is coming from a perspective of firms who stand to win business with the implementation of TWIC.
The saga will no doubt continue!


Leave a comment
January 16, 2013

One of the good things about blogging is that I get feedback in the way of comments and emails from readers based on what I write.  Sometimes they provide different points of view, clarifications or counter points--all of which is good.  Today I did get a comment on the Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) blog posting I did earlier, see Is TWIC Almost Dead?  Which prompted LCDR Greg Callaghan, TWIC Implementation Branch, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters to email me with the "official" status.  See his comments below:

 

I was reading your blog today and just wanted to follow up and clarify the current status of the TWIC Reader Rulemaking.  The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was accepted at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the middle of November and is currently under their review.  During this review timeframe, OMB addresses their questions/concerns with the Coast Guard and DHS.  As per the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, updated in December of 2012, it is currently anticipated that the NPRM will be published by March of 2013  [Note this is six months earlier than what I had heard.]  Following the publication of the NPRM, there will be a public comment period to include public meetings in order for the Coast Guard to develop the Final Rule which could be published before 2014 and followed by an implementation period.

 

Thanks to LDCR Callaghan for the follow-up and for the Coast Guard in monitoring social media!  It still looks to me that we won't be required to have biometric readers until sometime in 2016, if then.


Leave a comment

Latest Emergency Management News

Amid Disaster, Oklahoma Students Design Tornado Drones

Students at the Oklahoma State University Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering designed preliminary storm drones that could someday gather data that saves lives.
Mobile Tech Links Trauma Surgeons with SWAT Teams

The test program equips SWAT officers with computers and cameras so when out in the field, trauma surgeons can help them respond to critical injuries.
Emergency Managers Prepare for a Changing Disaster Paradigm

Are plans based on historical data out of date? Emergency managers and scientists discuss the impact of irregular storms and other natural phenomena.

Latest Blog Posts RSS

Emergency Management Blog - Eric Holdeman: Disaster Zone Tornado Safe Rooms
May 22 Hazard mitigation only costs maybe 3% more when building new.…
Emergency Management Blog - Gerald Baron: Crisis Comm Does social media monitoring belong in Planning or PIO?
May 20 Opinions differ even among those who know how important it is…
August Vernon: Incident Management Blog NC Mass Violence Planning and Response Considerations Conferences
May 20 NC Mass Violence Planning and Response Considerations Conferences…


4 Ways to Get EM

Subscribe to Emergency Management MagazineFollow Emergency Management on TwitterSubscribe to Emergency Management HeadlinesSubscribe to Emergency Management Newsletters

Blog Archives