Plenary Session 3: The Homeland Enterprise Now and the Way Ahead

As threats at the nation’s land, air, and sea borders continuously evolve, it is important to adopt new technologies that provide us greater surveillance and security and assured identity of the traveling public. What role should technology play in securing our physical borders and approaches? Are we taking advantage of the best technologies available? How can public-private partnerships everage the advantages of emerging technology? Where do we see opportunities for additional R&D?

Cyberspace has gone from buzzword to full operational domain since the founding of DHS. CISA embodies the purest nature of homeland security – partnership across multiple sectors and echelons. As threats in cyberspace increase in prominence and sophistication, is the current partnership arrangement correct? Does the federal government need to assert more regulatory authority? Or should we take a more laissez-faire approach? How can we forecast the next threat and mitigate risks now?

The 2020 Cyberspace Solarium Commission Report published 82 recommendations to improve the federal government’s readiness for major cyber attacks. One year on, over 40% of those recommendations have been implemented or are on track to implementation, including the creation of the office of National Cyber Director. As a Commissioner, the first NCD helped to draft the recommendation. How is implementation going? With so may other cybersecurity leaders at the federal level, what is the vision for this role?