HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT

Study: Homeland Defense Investment in 2003 Could
Top $135M

WASHINGTON D.C.—As the United States government works on the process of forming a Cabinet-level homeland security department, many government and business leaders believe that, in 2003, securing the homeland against potential terrorist threats could cost between $93 billion and $138 billion, according to the report, “The Homeland Security Market: The World’s Most Challenging Emerging Business Environment,” by The McGraw-Hill Companies. The report surveyed 300 leaders from all levels of government and a range of industries who are knowledgeable on security matters in their organizations.

According to the study, public and private sector organizations are aligning funding closely with potential threat priorities. Governments are allocating the largest shares of current security funding to deal with public health threats, weapons of mass destruction and disruption, and protecting physical infrastructure. Businesses are placing the majority of their dollars in securing transportation and protecting the information technology/telecommunications
infrastructure.

The study also pointed out that government and business leaders must strive for attainable security by balancing risk and protection; government and business leaders must cooperate to innovate; and a national strategy must be developed to provide a blueprint for action for all public and private sector organizations.

Metal Detectors to Take Center Stage in New Era

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is in the process of writing tougher standards for airport metal detectors. According to the Los Angeles Times, Congress is considering authorizing $20 million to $25 million to buy modern machines as part of an emergency funding bill for anti-terrorism programs.

Newer metal detectors can direct operators to the area of the body where a gun or knife might be hidden. The newspaper states that industry officials say the federal aviation security authorities have not taken a close look at metal detection technology in a decade.

The current U.S. standards, written by the Federal Aviation Administration, are geared to finding guns, not knives.

Partnership to Develop Public Warning Plan for Homeland Security

McLEAN, Va.—A nonprofit public/private partnership to improve the nation’s emergency warning systems is in the process of developing the first-ever national strategic plan for public warning. According to the partnership, the continuing threat of terrorism is what makes this effort a national mission.

As a result, the partnership has put together a request for information package to collect data from people and organizations with public safety and homeland security missions and interests. For more information, visit www.partnershipforpublicwarning.org.

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