Spanish Security
Just recently, the Secretary of The Department of Homeland Security took a trip to Europe to solidify the Lines of Security between the United States and Europe. Some of the Countries included Spain, Portugal, Kuwait (OK, a Middle Eastern Country), and Ireland.
The topics of Security discussions included talks on Security Information and Data sharing, Airport and Airline Security, Computer and Network Security, as well as the signing of a Security Agreement with Portugal called the "Preventing and Combating Crime Agreement", or "PCC" for short. This Security Agreement is designed to " . . . allow for the exchange of biometric and biographic data to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement in both nations while ensuring privacy protections." (SOURCE: http://findbiometrics.com/articles/i/7103/).
Probably the biggest part of this European trip came when the Secretary of the DHS visited Spain and created what is known as the "Immigration Advisory Program", or "IAP" for short. The primary objectives of this Security Agreement are to " . . . allow for the identification of high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board aircraft bound for the United States—at Madrid Barajas International Airport . . . [and] . . . combat the use of fraudulent travel documents, prevent terrorists and other criminals from entering the United States, disrupt alien smuggling and promote cooperation between DHS and the Ministry of the Interior." (SOURCE: http://findbiometrics.com/articles/i/7103/).
Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting
Apparently, so far the IAP is a pretty big success. It has been a pilot project so far since 2/11/2008, and has " . . . prevented the travel of 402 improperly documented travelers, intercepted 23 persons with fraudulent documents, and stopped 10 terrorism-related suspects." (SOURCE: http://findbiometrics.com/articles/i/7103/).
Also, this the 3rd major agreement signed between the United States and Spain to enhance and bolster the Security Ties between the US and Spain within a one week time span. The first Agreement allowed for the furthering of the sharing of Science and Technology between the two Countries, and the second Agreement signed is called the "Agreement to Prevent and Combat Serious Crime".
In my view, while it is good to see that major Security Agreements are signed, I just hope that this is not just for show that something is being done. In other words, addressing and curing the symptoms of the disease, and not addressing the actual cause of the disease.
As these Security Agreements are signed and implemented, the true test of the results will come afterwards, much later in time. At that point, what has been achieved needs to be compared with what the goals are. If what has been achieved is equal to or greater than the goals set forth, then the results can be deemed to be positive. If not, a reassessment of these Security Agreements then needs to take place.
However, I also think that a third party, such as a Consortium from the private industry should be the ones to conduct such a Security Assessment. This will help to insure unbiased and unwavered reporting of the facts.
Source for this Posting: http://findbiometrics.com/articles/i/7103/
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