Safety management is a key in enhancing security standards in important public and private places. In most cases, disasters and terrorism activities have caught most of the sectors unaware due to lack of effective safety management strategies which in turn have resulted into the loss of lives and property. Therefore, in enhancing effective safety management in public sectors especially in ports, various issues and strategies must be incorporated. The write up explains how port facilities interface with Homeland security. It not only explains the meaning of continuity of operations planning, but also discusses situational awareness and situational readiness. Moreover, it highlights challenges in managing port security.
According to Kenneth (2009), the 9/11 terror attack on the U.S. resulted into the exploration of security in the maritime sector so as to counter the increased threats of terrorism. He notes that this brought out the complex role played by technology in enhancing or breaching security standards, especially with the convergence of business processes at the port and security information. The write up explains how port facilities interface with Homeland security.
Managing Port Security
According to Christopher (2009), the U.S. department of Homeland Security in collaboration with Transport Security Administration (TSA) normally ensures that individuals present identification credentials before being allowed access to waterfront and port facilities. Moreover, he notes that the Homeland Security and TSA provide full screening on individuals who want to use port services with their watch list screen information compared to Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB).
As pointed out by Skinner (2006), Continuity of Operations Plan is where federal departments, port agencies and subcomponents ensure that their primary missions are accomplished during emergency. On the other hand, Christopher (2006) points out that Situational Awareness and Situational Readiness is the use of technology in gaining access to the key information which can be shared and analyzed in responding to port disasters eruptions. However, he notes that cyber terrorism which is the use of computer technology in breaching and altering the security information through information hacking continues to pose challenges in managing port safety security information. Moreover, he points out that the safety management of the port has been challenged by the open port organizational management strategies that present the daily operations of the port security agency in which it publicized security information.
Christopher (2009) points out that the port authorities should train its employees on the usage of computer and other technological surveillance systems to avoid security breach. This would ensure that port security personnel adequately and effectively use the information technology systems in combating security threats that emanate at the port offshore.
Conclusion
It is evident from the write up that safety management of the port facilities is paramount in countering terrorism activities and other related challenges such as theft and vandalism. This will require a continued IT educational training among the employees to effectively enhance their technology surveillance skills and safety management.