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Homeland Security

Pia Carusone Named Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

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-Posted by Public Affairs

DHS announced that Pia Carusone, former Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Pia brings a wealth of experience in communications and homeland security issues in Congress and in her new role, will advise the Secretary on all matters related to public affairs, as well as oversee strategic and internal communications. Pia and her team will be responsible for coordinating the public affairs activities of all of the Department’s components and offices, and serve as the federal government’s lead public information office during national emergencies or disasters.

Pia served as Congresswoman Giffords’ Chief of Staff from March 2009 until her resignation in January 2012. During her tenure, she oversaw all border security and homeland security issues for the office. After the Tucson shooting, Pia served as the national spokesperson for the Congresswoman and her family. Pia is a native of Saratoga Springs, NY and a graduate of Bard College.

Pia replaces Matt Chandler, who had been serving as Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. Matt has been named Director of Communications. He has been with DHS since March 2009, and previously served as the Department’s Press Secretary and Deputy Press Secretary.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

DHS Employee Elected to Prominent Post in Prestigious National Organization

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-Posted by Public Affairs

The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Dr. Cedric Alexander, Federal Security Director at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, was recently elected 2nd Vice President to the National Organization for Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE). This is the first time a Department of Homeland Security employee has held this distinctive honor.

Dr. Alexander, who celebrates five years with TSA this September, is also a 10-year member of NOBLE. He was sworn in at NOBLE’s 36th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a Federal Security Director with TSA, Dr. Alexander works in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to secure our nation’s transportation system. In his role as 2nd Vice President, Dr. Alexander will further his collaboration with the law enforcement community by working with NOBLE’s committees and initiatives to ensure the organization’s mission and objectives move forward.

“I am extremely honored to have been elected into this position,” said Dr. Alexander. “NOBLE is a tremendous organization with an expansive network of law enforcement and security professionals. I look forward to representing TSA in my new role.”

Founded in 1976, NOBLE’s 57 chapters and 4,000 members span across the nation and include members of the law enforcement and criminal justice communities. The organization’s mission is “to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities, and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action.”

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

FLETC Conducts Females in Law Enforcement Leadership Coaching System in Peru

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-Posted by Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Director Connie Patrick

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) recently completed its latest iteration of the Women in Law Enforcement Leadership Training Program in Lima, Peru where 38 female police officials from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay participated in a five-day program on topics such as work-life balance, leadership, and effective communication skills. The program started at the U.S. Embassy in Lima with opening remarks from Ambassador Rose M. Likins, who underscored the importance of fostering the development of female law enforcement leaders around the world.


(from left) FLETC Assistant Director for Training Dominick Braccio; Commander Jeaning Calmell del Solar, Peruvian National Police; and FLETC Deputy Assistant Director Val Atkins participate in a panel discussion.

To date, 218 women from 25 nations have benefited from the knowledge and skills conveyed in this program. The wide spectrum of individuals we are reaching makes me confident that we are making a difference in advancing the rights of women across the globe and developing future leaders that will strengthen international security.

Already, we have heard feedback from some participants on how the program has had a positive impact on both their personal and professional lives. Thessa, a prosecutor from the Philippines, wrote in an email to our team here at FLETC applauding the program for “the great opportunity, the priceless knowledge, tools and insights.” 

Attendees at the Women in Leadership Training in Lima, Peru.
Attendees at the Women in Leadership Training in Lima, Peru.

I have had the honor to be able to take part in several of the training programs and saw firsthand how much the participants value our efforts. The heartfelt enthusiasm and motivation of these women at the end of each training session truly shows the value of the program, and I look forward to the next session in Budapest later this year.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

Preview the Next Generation of www.DHS.gov

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– Posted by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Pia Carusone

The Department of Homeland Security just redesigned its website and now you can take a look and offer your feedback before we officially launch the new website within the next two weeks and retire the old one.

Here are tips to start your site tour of http://preview.dhs.gov/

  • Visit the new Topics pages, with their own Resource Directories to relevant information
  • Use the How Do I? sections to find answers to commonly asked questions
  • Learn how to Get Involved with agency activities for the public
  • Go to the About  DHS section for to learn about DHS’ budget, organization, career options and history
  • See our new multimedia page and photos of DHS at work in the News section.

Why Did We Redesign the Site?
Our new website design was guided by user feedback and best practices in user-centered design.  The goals of the redesign are to simplify and unify DHS.gov’s content and create a more consistent look and feel throughout the site.

At the new DHS website, we are aiming to:

  • Provide valuable information
  • Help you find what you need on the DHS.gov with better navigation and improved content
  • Make it easier for visitors to engage with DHS

In addition, there are plenty of unseen improvements in the administrator interface that make our online communication more cost-efficient, help us execute a customer-focused strategy for web-content management, streamline customer access to DHS services and improve our web content management.

Please Note…
We plan to adopt an improved search engine at launch.  That means at the preview.dhs.gov site, onsite search function does not work yet.  If you use the search box, your search results will return you to the “old” DHS.gov site for now.

We Want Your feedback!
Now that you have some background on what we did and why we did it, please take a few minutes to look around http://preview.dhs.gov and send us your feedback using IdeaScale. IdeaScale is a platform where we can collect your ideas and suggestions for improving the next generation DHS.gov. While you are at it, consider casting a vote for the best ideas that others share, or joining discussions about ideas submitted by others.

Our DHS web team will review ALL submissions, and your feedback will be extremely valuable to us in making quick and continuous improvements to the new website.

If you prefer not to create an IdeaScale profile or have difficulty using IdeaScale, you can always send your suggestions or concerns to [email protected]

Thank you!

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

Private Sector Preparedness and Response in Boston: DHS for a Day X

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By Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Douglas A. Smith

The Private Sector Office hosted the tenth DHS for a Day on August 1st, in Boston, Massachusetts.  This ongoing initiative is one example of DHS’ commitment to collaborating with the private sector to share best practices and build valuable partnerships to keep our communities and businesses safer.  The event highlighted opportunities for our private sector partners to support efforts to make our nation more prepared and resilient through programs like the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification (PS-Prep) Program and trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry or TSA Pre✓™ .
DHS for a Day X The day began at U.S. Coast Guard Base Boston, where participants received briefings on the DHS Office of Infrastructure Protection Protective Security Advisor program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s, Emergency Management Institute (EMI).  Founded over 60 years ago, EMI provides emergency response training to over two million public and private stakeholders each year on topics ranging from how to build public private partnerships, to how to develop and manage volunteers.  Following these presentations, participants were briefed on the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission and role in emergency response and port security.
In the afternoon, participants traveled to Conley Terminal at the Boston Seaport, where Customs and Border Protection officials briefed them on the role DHS plays in border security, travel and trade facilitation.
Finally, participants went to Logan International Airport to observe several TSA risk based security initiatives, including TSA Pre✓™.   
It is our hope participants left the tenth installment of DHS for a Day with a better understanding of the Department’s mission.  As we plan the next event, we will look for new ways to continue to strengthen our partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders. 
Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

Written testimony of Policy for a Home Homeland Safety Subcommittee on Counterterrorism & Intelligence hearing titled “Beyond Borders: Are DHS’ International Agreements Making certain Actionable Intelligence to Combat Threats to the U.S. Homeland?”

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At a field hearing in Buffalo, New York Policy Office of International Affairs Director of Canadian Affairs Deborah Meyers addresses the Department of Homeland Security’s partnership with Canada to boost safety whilst facilitating lawful trade and travel.
Division of Homeland Safety News

Creating a Future-prepared, Digital Government Nowadays

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Posted by Richard A. Spires, CIO

The Federal government released The Digital Government Strategy on May 23, 2012. This 12-month action plan for the deployment of new technology is designed to enable the delivery of digital information and services anytime, anywhere, on any device, safely and securely-throughout the Federal workforce and to the American public. This strategy was made possible through the collaboration of many throughout the federal government including, the Federal Chief Information Officer’s Council, the Federal Web Managers Council, and representatives from numerous departments and agencies. My thanks go to Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) Steve VanRoekel and Federal Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Todd Park for their leadership in the development of this strategy.Cloud computing and the continual evolution of mobile devices, collaboration tools, computing power advances, and social media expansion are revolutionizing Information Technology (IT). These advances are changing the way business is conducted inside and outside the Federal government. Not only is this an exciting and novel transformation, it also brings a true opportunity to deliver real innovation with less.

As CIO of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I know firsthand that the establishment of common standards and platforms and the use of new mobility capabilities are critical to leveraging data to meet the mission needs of this Department. Composed of 22 components, DHS is one of the largest Federal agencies. This size and diversity requires effective information sharing through advanced technology with sound security to support the Department’s critical mission. I will highlight two DHS initiatives underway-shared platform and mobility-that support the new digital government strategy.

DHS is committed to providing and supporting the shared platform for digital government. The BPA enables DHS to establish Web Content Management as a Service-commonly known as WCMaaS throughout the IT industry-which is an open source content management platform for hosting public Web sites and applications. Based on the Drupal Content Management System, an industry leading open source technology, this solution provides new and innovative capabilities, delivering improved citizen-centric capabilities while ensuring the adoption of solid Content Management System (CMS) services that support timely Web maintenance as well as increased capabilities for accurate content updates.

DHS also is committed to embracing mobility.
The use of laptops, smart phones, and tablets in government agencies continues to rapidly grow. Mobile computing enables the implementation of effective telework across the Federal government to ensure the continuity of operations as well as reduce management costs and the Federal government’s footprint, which ultimately leads to higher-performing and more efficient organizations.

Workplace as a Service (WPaaS) will provide a virtual desktop interface that looks and feels like a traditional desktop while leveraging the power, security, and data provided by the department’s two Enterprise Data Centers. This virtual desktop enables DHS personnel to perform their mission wherever there is access to the Internet or the DHS internal network, including through the use of handheld devices like smart phones and tablets. WPaaS delivers multiple benefits by replacing traditional desktops and laptops with virtual computing that provides as-needed operating systems and applications at monthly, pay-per-use service with scalability-all supported by a robust security model. WPaaS promises to reduce operating costs, increase operational flexibility, and simplify administrative management, while efficiently using resources by eliminating surpluses of outdated and underutilized equipment.

Future-ready, digital government.
The essential elements of interoperability and openness, reduced and transparent operational costs, strategic planning from the outset and effective portfolio and program governance ultimately enable the government to move to and effectively capitalize on new technologies in the 21st century. The Digital Government Strategy provides a solid execution plan to leverage the power of today’s technologies and provide more open, efficient, and effective services for the American public.

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on CIO.gov.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

CBP Announces Sector Day

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Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces today CBP Industry Day scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC. The one day event, “Evolving Border Security and Trade Missions: Insights and Discussions with Industry,” will provide industry an opportunity to gain a better understanding of CBP’s operating environment and how it shapes the agency’s near and long-term strategies.

Hosted in response to industry request, Industry Day will provide a venue for members of industry to engage with CBP leadership. The event is not a “how to” procurement event – it is industry’s opportunity for an open dialogue with CBP decision makers.

Industry Day will include moderated panel discussions with question and answer periods in the areas of Border Security, Expediting Trade and Travel, and Intelligence and Targeting. The day will conclude with a session focusing on future opportunities.

The event will feature a same day webcast for companies unable to attend in person. There is no fee to attend the event. For more information and to register go to the Industry Day website. ( Industry Day )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.