Smarter Security on the Northern Border: DHS on Current and Emerging Threats

DHS’ Special Agent Bradford Bench examines the key priorities of the US’ northern border in this IDGA exclusive interview. Bench highlights the constant evolution of border security by highlighting the ways in which the ‘BEST’ program manages DTO’s, TCO’s and the illegal export of weapons. Read on for all this and more... [eventPDF] By Bradford Bench, Special Agent in Charge, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, DHS ICE Homeland Security Investigations – speaking at IDGA’s Border Management North Summit: http://bit.ly/KDZfpb IDGA: What are the current key priorities and initiatives for this region? It is a DHS priority to have smart security on the Northern border that both provides for public safety and facilitates international trade and travel. DHS has invested in additional personnel, technology and infrastructure along the Northern Border. There has been a 500% increase in the number of Border Patrol agents along the Northern border. DHS is deploying thermal camera systems, Mobile Surveillance Systems, and Remote Video Surveillance Systems to the Northern Border. DHS is modernizing more than 35 land ports of entry to meet security and operational standards in the post 9/11 world. Additionally in February 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper of Canada signed the "Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness." The "Shared Vision" emphasizes shared responsibility for the safety, security, and resilience of the United States and Canada by addressing threats at the earliest point possible – facilitating trade, economic growth, and jobs; collaborating on integrated cross-border law enforcement; and partnering to secure and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure and cyber security. How radically does border security evolve over time? Meaning, are the approaches now very different than there were 1/5/10 years ago? Border security is ever evolving to meet constantly changing threats and methods used by criminal elements to achieve their goals. Over 10 years ago in the Pacific Northwest there was an upswing in cross-border crimes that were being committed by drug trafficking organizations (DTO) that were seeking illicit sources of supply and drug user customers on both sides of the border. Back then federal agencies with overlapping missions sought to collaborate and operate together in specific geographic areas where DTOs were exploiting vulnerabilities along the border. These efforts resulted in increased interdictions, seizures, arrests, prosecutions and opportunities to investigate DTOs, in particular those that were prolific smugglers. After 9/11, border security efforts turned towards Ports of Entry to address gaps that were identified in the 9/11 Commission Report and those that were envisioned to be most vulnerable based upon threat streams. Finding persons that were inadmissible to the US became one priority, along with the detection and interception of hazardous and radioactive materials that could potentially disrupt the national supply chain, contaminate cities and damage our economy as a result of a follow-on terrorist act. When DHS was created in March of 2003 and several agencies were merged to realign resources and capabilities, border security agencies were faced with a new set of challenges. While required to work within a new infrastructure and accomplish new mandates, DHS entities were challenged evermore to deliver established mission responsibilities, strengthen inter-agency relationships, and develop new associations beyond DHS. Now ten plus years since 9/11, DHS is focused on transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that are operating along the border in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. These TCOs are involved in narcotics, financial and human smuggling, the illegal export of weapons, bulk cash smuggling, violations of intellectual property rights and identification and benefit fraud, as well as state and local, and international crimes that are committed in furtherance of the organizations and their border related activities. With our increased capabilities to collect and research data related to these TCOs, we are challenged in our ability to gain full understanding and knowledge of their illicit activities through this torrent of information. To that end, DHS is taking a holistic approach incorporating the full range of statutory authorities against TCOs through initiatives such as the Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) program. BEST employs a threat-based/risk mitigation investigative task force model that recognizes the unique resources and capabilities of all participating law enforcement partners. By taking this approach, BEST is able to: Investigate, disrupt and dismantle TCOs. Proactively use actionable intelligence and investigative leads to target, intercept and disrupt the illicit actions of TCOs. Continue to identify targets for disruption and dismantling who pose the most significant risk to border security, public safety and national security. Is technology an important component of effective border security? Technology is a very important part of border security. It allows us to work more efficiently at all levels within DHS and to leverage it against the highest threat areas, passengers, vehicles and vessels, while allowing the facilitation of legitimate international trade and travel. Smart security on the Northern border is the DHS standard and the public expects nothing less. The use of surveillance technology for target detection, cueing and tactical operational direction is critical to achieving this goal. In the investigative realm, technology greatly aids in the collection of evidence which is used in the eventual prosecutions of TCOs as well. What are the emerging threats you see on the horizon? In the future, TCOs and criminals in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere will utilize technology of all kinds to further their criminal enterprises and they will use that technology as their connection to the rest of the world. Through the use of Smartphone, a criminal will be able to communicate, order supplies, arrange logistics and transportation and transfer funds with almost complete anonymity as to who they are and where they are. Cross-border threats will become omnidirectional and the culprits will not be so easy to discern.

Smarter Security on the Northern Border: DHS on Current and Emerging Threats

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