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Changes in IT Security Since 9/11

Introduction

This paper intends to explore the changes in security since 9/11 attacks with regards to information system. The main focus of the paper is to examine the most recent developments in the security information system, as these days security is of much concern. Security in not only the concern of government to protect the nation but also a major concern at organizational level, where rapidly changes are being made in order to secure the information system framework. Prior to the 9/11 incident, the government did not have a comprehensive terrorism database. The government only possessed small amounts of systematic data on what to do in order to fight terrorism. There were no databases with details regarding the terrorist organizations operating around the world. All this changed after the horrific incident that threatened the welfare of all Americans. Social science was used to develop advances of ways to react to terrorist attacks and also to prevent such attacks in the future. “Imagine trying to fight cancer without knowing how much cancer there is,' said Gary LaFree, director of the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism at the University of Maryland”.The world changed after 9/11, and changes were made to information technology security, airlines, energy and other sectors that may be affected.

Discussion

Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN)

In past year various developments were made in IT and advance technology that has enabled The Homeland Security Information Network to perform at its best. Although, it does not receive the same publicity now as it used to previously; however, it is and will remain the core of information sharing for DHS missions. The HSIN is a secure portal that gives security alerts and information on homeland security technologies. The HSIN has recently incorporated latest IT framework so that huge network of state, federal, private sector and local organizations can receive the information in real time. These organizations range from law enforcement to emergency management to critical infrastructure providers. The HSIN portal comprises of instant messaging, discussion boards, document libraries, incident reporting and various other features.

Watch Listing

The foundation of all watch listing is TIDE, the single, massive dumping ground of terrorist data, as indicated by its name, the Terrorist Identities Data mart Environment (TIDE). TIDE is the foundation today for all other federal watch lists, including the critical watch lists that support our border and aviation community.

TIDE provides our border officials with the best starting point to bear down on terrorists known to the intelligence community. To create and populate TIDE means that it is in the day-to-day activity of updating, maintaining, expanding, and culling the TIDE list that then supplies the TSD. It is the TSD's content, supplying the border and aviation watch lists, that provides the best opportunity to stop a terrorist during an immigration or aviation check. Thus, it is imperative that the process of watch listing be done right from start to finish, every day, ...