Shifting Strategies

Homeland Security vows to offer protection during COVID-19

The onslaught of COVID-19 has elevated security measures in every border control operation within the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. entry points such as airports, ports and borders are being monitored with many travelers being directed to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

TSA is standing firm with efforts to diminish the probability of the disease being purposefully or unknowingly transported into the United States. TSA has allowed some employees to “self-isolate at home due to being at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 if exposed.” Other federal agencies have adopted special measures as well.

U.S. IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces significant challenges throughout this crisis. ICE and DHS energies address our borders, monitor immigration and criminal activity such as terrorism, gang activity, drug smuggling and human trafficking.

Currently, ICE is not enforcing operations at or near healthcare facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances. Individuals who are in fear of civil immigration enforcement should not refrain from seeking medical care.

U.S. BORDER PATROL

One of the more significant actions taken by the Border Patrol and TSA relates to the facilitation of expedited efforts to move medical and personal protective equipment across borders as rapidly as possible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with UPS and other similar organizations created “Project Airbridge” to move such services and supplies across the United States.

Separate border control efforts remain limited to essential travel restrictions, which include U.S. citizens and lawful, permanent residents, education-related travel, people traveling to the United States based on work-related activities, and other similar constraints (nafsa.org, 2020). Asylum seekers along the Mexico/ U.S. border have posed serious COVID-19 considerations as well. According to a recent Newsweek article, a majority of Americans say they support efforts to close the border, reduce immigration and ban asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.

SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS RELATING TO TERRORISM

Terrorist groups have flooded social media with encouragement for terrorists to seize this opportunity. With shelter-in-place orders in most states remaining in effect, the nation has seen a decrease in crime overall, with gun violence seeing a steady increase. A University of California research paper estimated that in March through May 2020, there was a 64.3 percent increase in gun sales over what would have been expected at that time based on previous years.

Additionally, the threat of lone-wolf terrorism—like the attack at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, in May 2020—suggests the possibility of acts of terror due to the current situation with COVID-19.

The Department of Homeland Security with cooperation with related federal and state agencies have responded to the challenges arising from COVID-19, even with the loss of their own personnel.

Social distancing policies, along with shelter in place orders, working from home and other health strategies, may indeed prevent the rapid spread of this virus. Will crime continue to rise during this “new normal?” Will terrorists, lone wolfs or others take advantage of this dynamic situation? These answers lie in wait for us in the near future.

This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Barry Goodson, a former Marine and law enforcement officer, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master's degree in administrative justice and security. He teaches criminal justice at Columbia Southern University, is the vice president of the Human Trafficking Investigations & Training Institute and an administrative trainer for the Department of Homeland Security Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program. Goodson is also an author of numerous academic papers and two books, “CAP Mot” and “Country Cop: True Tales from a Texas Deputy Sheriff.”

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.