Maritime Security and Cyber Terrorism

Final Assignment: Short Essay Questions
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Final Assignment: Short Essay Questions
Essay One
Maritime points and operations are some of the core areas for security. Globally, maritime cargoes and vessels are increasingly targeted by criminals and terrorists. The marine systems have inherent vulnerabilities because they constitute entry and exit points and travel activities that criminals would likely take advantage of, given their international trade and security role. Various measures have been advanced to promote security and minimize security risks or vulnerabilities at ports and other core maritime facilities, areas, and facilities.
Maritime security is guided by various international codes used as a blueprint to establish measures responding to security vulnerabilities. These codes, among other things, provide guidance on surveillance, training security personnel, establishing critical legislation, and enhancing cooperation in maritime security matters. These codes include the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, the Port facility security plan (PFSP), and the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002. Each of these has its strengths weaknesses due to its area of focus. Lack of collaboration and cooperation amongst various stakeholders could derail the implementation of various codes.
Fists, human personnel oversee and control security operations and maintenance of maritime facilities, including FSOs. Facility security officers (FSO) are under the auspices of homeland-security professionals. FSO was established in 2003. This transition was a remarkable change in 2003 where men and women who held different titles assume new titles of facility security officers (FSOs) at the port and maritime facilities in the U.S.
As the human resource personnel in maritime systems, the FSOs are charged with various security measures that are mean to secure maritime spaces and systems. FSOs are expected to develop and implement revision and maintenance of ports and control or manage security-related functions. FSO monitors, evaluate, oversee, and determine the effectiveness of modern technologies in maritime systems. Besides, it confirms and checks whether all the security teams are conversant with up-to-date threats and have sufficient competency in mounting effective responses to potential security threats such as terror attacks. The FSO must oversee facility vulnerability assessments, the system security plan development, and the approval process. It also revolves around the implementation of the plan and the facility’s annual audit. He or she also must ensure that security drills and exercises are conducted regularly and effectively. It also entails ensuring that security records are stored in line with time and security sensitivity considerations.
Second, there are critical legislations that have been passed in response to terror attacks and to prevent further security attacks. Such legislations were accompanied by policies and practices in the maritime industry. In response to the 9/11 attacks, Maritime Transportation Security Act, which focuses primarily on maritime security, was finally passed to prevent a maritime transportation security incident (Metaparti, 2010). A maritime transportation security incident is an unfortunate security phenomenon associated with loss of life, environmental damage, transportation system disruption, and economic disruption.  The maritime security response had far-reaching because there were several security measures developed, including the Container Security Initiative (CSI), Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT), and International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code which were adopted (Metaparti, 2010).
Third, maritime security is about collaborations and collaborations. Who are the Global and Regional Stakeholders of "Maritime Security”? (Feldt, Roell & Thiele, 2013). Different stakeholders show differing degrees of influence to enforce compliance in the maritime domain. Consensus has been achieved between all stakeholders about the national territorial waters, where elements of maritime security are discussed including disputes”? (Feldt, Roell & Thiele, 2013). International bodies have staged efforts to minimize disputes and enhance cooperation in maintaining maritime security. These organizations can include the International Maritime Organization (IMO), public agencies, naval forces, shipping companies, ports, and privately contracted armed security.
Finally, maritime surveillance is another concept that has been adopted over the globe. Maritime surveillance aims to actualize the capacity to do early detection and preventions of security threats that threaten maritime operations (Fischer & Bauer, 2010). There are emerging technologies geared towards improving surveillance. These technologies include optical satellite images and very high optical resolution sensors that can quickly detect threats and stimulate real-time alerts (Voinov, Schwarz, and Krause & Berg).
Essay Two
The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 was enacted to strengthen security measures that were in place before the terror attacks of 9/11 (Crowell, 2018). The U.S Congress then came up with more plans to build security to help contain possible threats. MTSA was designed to protect the U.S ports and waterways from a terrorist attack. This landmark legislation allowed area maritime security committees and security plans to focus on facilities and vessels involved in a TSI. The MTSA covered vessels and facilities operating on or adjacent to waters subject to the U.S. Different sections of MTSA focus on various areas, including ports, vessels, facilities, and outer continental shelf facilities. A final part of MTSA addressed installing Automati...