Collaboration of the Aviation Transport and Homeland Security to Avert Terrorism

Transportation Security and Homeland Security
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Transportation Security and Homeland Security
The agency that safeguards the United States and its citizens from threats is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The federal agency deals with threats by executing various duties such as border control, developing emergency response plans, handling cybersecurity, and managing transportation security, especially in the aviation sector. The duties herein are significant in averting terrorism which has become one of the biggest threats to the United States security. Since the 9/11 attack, the United States has taken a substantial interest in safeguarding transport security, especially in the aviation sector (Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2018a). This paper explores US aviation transport’s vulnerability to threats and recent implementations that will help prevent terrorist activities and attacks, especially after the tragic 9/11 attack.
Transport Security Overview
Aviation transport security is the greatest threat to Homeland Security. The existing facts regarding the constant change of the threat landscape in the last two decades, especially post 9/11 attacks, makes aviation transport one of the most exposed channels through which terrorists can orchestrate their attacks. The aviation sector's exposure to complex and dynamic threats in the 21st century exposes American citizens and property to enemies. Equally, terrorists understand that the aviation sector has a large ecosystem that is easy to manipulate in order to achieve their dangerous missions (Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 2018b). Moreover, the transport sector's threat landscape continues to change due to technological advancements. Modern technological advances encourage disruptive technology adoptions. Therefore, terrorists use these changes to formulate innovative strategies to orchestrate attacks. Such attacks involve bypassing security checks while transporting weapons and other materials used in making detonable weapons (Jacobson, Khatibi & Yu, 2017). Considering that the aviation sector is used by millions of foreigners visiting the United States, the possibility of inviting terrorists into the nation is high. The malicious individuals can also try to access the US through the border illegally or legally through the border security checkpoints. Adequate border security checks are already in place to achieve border control and reduce the amplified threat to Homeland Security. However, transportation in the aviation sector remains complex, mainly because of the evolving capacity of terrorists to manipulate the ecosystem and systems in their favor (ADL, 2021). The implication of the dynamic nature of the aviation transportation sector is noted in the increased attacks on US-bound or US-based airplanes. Therefore, smart strategies employed by the terrorists continue to expose Homeland Security and cause unrest among citizens at home and abroad alongside allies of the US in the fight against terrorism.
Transportation Security Initiatives
The complexity of the threat landscape in the aviation sector demands a mandatory collaboration between ...