Assignment:
You were asked to describe two strengths and two weaknesses you've discovered about homeland security in your previous studies. Now that you completed your program with the completion of this course, has your opinion been altered on any perceived strengths or weaknesses of DHS? Explain your answer by sharing your insights?
Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Homeland Security:
The department of homeland security was formed on a real and very urgent issue that was security from internal threats and since its inception is has done a commendable job attracting many critics and supporters. The department became operational post September eleven attacks in the Unites States and was tasked from protecting the country from terror attempts and activities by securing its boundaries and responding to natural calamities. Since then it has grown tremendously to become a very huge department in the US federal government.
The department like many other has looked very immaculate on paper in how it has carried out its operations though underneath, a critical and unbiased surgical review of its operations will unveil weaknesses and strength's about the department. Some of the strengths about the department have included the following:
• Improved communication. Being one of the largest departments in the government dealing with over 150, 000 employees and 22 departments requires some superb communication protocol that is simplified yet sufficient enough to allow flexible and efficient collaboration amongst all the departments, agencies and personnel. The department has done exactly that, it has come up with a very improved communication protocol and strategy that serves it efficiently.
• Regional management. The DHS has come up with 10 regional offices spread out through the country and has therefore devolved its functions instead of centralizing them over Washington DC. This has given more opportunities for centralizing of employees. Southern employees are well versed and are trained in dealing with hurricanes and other natural disasters while those in the North West are trained more on port security.
The department has also demonstrated several weaknesses that include:
• One of the most pertinent problems today with all intelligence and security agencies and of which the DHS is not exempted is gathering of intelligence. Sme of the intelligence and security operations of the department requires that it gathers intelligence and this has promoted a surveillance society since the post September eleven attack.
Operational and technological wantonness within the organization has made the organization not sufficient to in carrying out its activities in protecting borders and ports. The department is facing several internal logistical, operational and financial challenges. As a result this has hampered the effectiveness of the department and it has been cited for lacking the necessary structure and personnel for carrying out its mission.