Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the United States House Committee on Homeland Security has proposed more than 20 measures aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture against emerging threats.
The recommendations, contained in a report released on Thursday, cover intelligence-sharing, terrorism prevention, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, border security, transportation security and emergency preparedness.
The report, titled “25th Anniversary Report: National Security Improvements and the Domestic Threat Landscape 25 Years After 9/11/01,” reviews the progress made by the US in strengthening homeland security since the attacks and assesses the evolving threats confronting the country.
The attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives, involved four hijacked passenger planes, including two that were crashed into the World Trade Center’s twin towers in New York.
House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino said the country had made substantial progress in the 25 years since the attacks but stressed the need for continued adaptation to emerging security challenges.
“Twenty-five years later, significant progress has been made towards strengthening our national security and ensuring we never again allow such an attack to be perpetrated against the United States.
“This no-fail mission requires persistent vigilance and adaptation to keep pace with the contemporary threat environment,” Garbarino said in the report’s preface.
Among the recommendations was improved information-sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including through an enhanced field presence.
The committee also called for common definitions of security threats and greater awareness of emerging terrorist threats, tactics and organisations.
It urged increased support for the Department of Homeland Security’s research efforts, while also recommending that the passenger security fee be restored to its intended purpose.
The panel further proposed extending the Transportation Security Administration’s One-Stop Pilot Program and expanding initiatives aimed at improving travel for low-risk passengers.
On cybersecurity, the committee called for updated information-sharing authorities, stronger coordination and additional measures to ensure the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is equipped to deal with current threats.
The report also recommended harmonising cybersecurity regulations around security outcomes and creating risk-based artificial intelligence cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure.
On border and transportation security, the committee called for the full implementation of a biometric entry-exit system, wider adoption of emerging technologies and stronger international partnerships.
It also sought additional resources for security along the northern border and greater use of non-intrusive inspection technology.
The panel further recommended stabilising grant administration, ensuring adequate funding for special events and strengthening emergency preparedness and incident-management capabilities.
It called for continued funding for the Emergency Management Performance Grant and the reauthorisation and training of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium.
The committee also backed continued support for the Department of Homeland Security’s chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear programmes.
Other proposals included improved biodetection capabilities, statutory authorisation for the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center and enhanced preparedness against agroterrorism.
The committee also recommended support for the reauthorisation of FirstNet, the US public-safety communications network, alongside increased funding for the Office of SAFETY Act Implementation.
Garbarino urged Congress and the executive branch to act quickly and on a bipartisan basis, saying this would provide long-term certainty and stability across the homeland security system.
He said the report was also designed to help younger generations and future national security leaders understand the significance of the September 11 attacks and the continuing importance of homeland security.
“In keeping with the mandate to prevent and deter future domestic terror attacks, this report provides a comprehensive assessment of the United States’ domestic threat landscape and assesses improvements made to the country’s national security posture over the last twenty-five years.
“It also provides several recommendations and policy proposals aimed at remedying identified deficiencies and keeping pace with emerging threats,” Garbarino said.
According to the committee, the recommendations followed hearings, briefings, roundtables and site visits conducted during the past year to examine transportation security, counterterrorism, information-sharing, federal law enforcement coordination, critical infrastructure protection and the operations of agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.
