Tech’s Role in Homeland Security
VIEWPOINT
by Christopher Cox
Our rising concern with terrorism follows from the growing problem of “TNT:” terrorists and technology.
From chemical and biological weapons manufacturers to cyber terror and loose nukes, the democratization of modern technology is empowering terrorists to threaten civilization like never before.
But technology also can be the solution to the problem of our homeland security vulnerabilities.
While terrorists will continue to require ever-more sophisticated means to develop weapons of mass murder, our civilization has a technological hand over them that we can exploit.
By staying one step ahead of those who seek to destroy our way of life, using advanced technologies to protect our critical infrastructure and our population, we can ensure that terrorism does not succeed.
Collaboration between government and the private sector is critical in this effort, and Orange County, long recognized as a hotbed of high-tech innovation, can play a leading role.
The first step in making this happen is for our region’s tech innovators to gain a solid understanding of the nation’s current and future homeland security needs.
To put Orange County entrepreneurs in direct contact with the tech leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, I have arranged a business roundtable that will be kicked off with a briefing from the top U.S. homeland security official for science and technology.
On Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the University of California, Irvine, Undersecretary for Homeland Security Charles McQueary is set to explain how tech companies can do business with the department and with other federal, state and local agencies, and then engage in an informal question-and-answer style discussion.
The event is open to all interested businesses and there is no fee.
For more information, contact my Orange County office at (949) 756-2244.
Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security Dr. Penrose Albright’s visit to Orange County will follow on the heels of a DHS-sponsored conference and exhibition in San Diego, entitled “Partnering With Industry: Innovative Technologies in Homeland Security 2004.”
The conference is set to take place this week at the San Diego Convention Center and will focus on emerging technologies and innovations in homeland security.
This conference, the first conducted by DHS in Southern California, presents a unique opportunity for local businesspeople to learn more about the department’s science and technology needs.
In addition, more than 200 exhibitors will be on-site showcasing the latest homeland security innovations.
Orange County already is home to many companies with innovative ideas and solutions to our homeland security needs.
Line-X Corp., based in Santa Ana, has won a national contract to apply its “Anti-Terrorism Bomb Blast Protective Coating” to protect the Pentagon in the event of another terrorist attack.
Tests have shown that its polymer coating can prevent concrete from breaking apart in an explosion.
Irvine Sensors Corp. in Costa Mesa is developing next-generation night-vision technology products for a range of customers, including DHS and the Department of Defense.
The company’s low-power thermal cameras and night-vision scopes allow soldiers, border security agents, firefighters and others to detect objects and people through smoke and darkness.
DHS rightly has focused on creating partnerships with the business community to address our homeland defense needs.
Currently, more than 85% of our nation’s critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector.
Only by harnessing the vast knowledge and entrepreneurial energy of industry can we build the capacity needed to prevent, prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents.
The House Homeland Security Committee, which I lead, is working to see that terrorism preparedness funding gets to states, local governments and first responders in high-risk areas on a more timely basis than has been the case to date.
Currently, more than 80% of the terrorism preparedness grants distributed by DHS,$5.2 billion,remains unspent, stuck in the administrative pipeline.
Developing and capitalizing on our nation’s technological advantage will require that we do far better than this.
The Faster and Smarter Funding for First Responders Act, which I have authored, tackles the problem head-on by cutting the bureaucratic red tape that creates funding bottlenecks.
Just as importantly, it will prioritize homeland security funding based on threat and vulnerability assessments,not political formulas such as giving each state a fixed percentage, which all but assures that money will be wasted.
Getting money more quickly to where it is needed most, we can get needed new technology to our police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel in time to save lives.
This bipartisan bill passed the Homeland Security Committee unanimously in March and subsequently has been approved by the Energy & Commerce, Judiciary and Transportation & Infrastructure committees. It will be on the House floor for a vote on final passage this month.
Protecting our nation from the “TNT” threat of terrorists and technology will be a serious concern for the rest of our lives.
To sustain this long-term effort, America needs to enlist the creative talent of companies that already have developed some of the most important homeland security innovations to date.
The upcoming business roundtable with Dr. Albright and the DHS conference and exposition in San Diego present an excellent opportunity for our region’s tech community to become fully engaged in assuring the security of our nation.
Cox, who represents the 48th congressional district including Newport Beach and other areas, heads the Homeland Security Committee.
