Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the US House Committee on Homeland Security has called for a new round of security reforms to address emerging threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
The committee made more than 20 recommendations in a report released Thursday, covering intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, border security, emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure protection.
The report, titled 25th Anniversary Report: National Security Improvements and the Domestic Threat Landscape 25 Years After 9/11/01, assesses US homeland security efforts since the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, and outlines areas requiring further action.
Committee Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino said the US had made significant progress in strengthening national security since 9/11 but must continue adapting to changing threats. “This no-fail mission requires persistent vigilance and adaptation to keep pace with the contemporary threat environment,” he said.
The committee called for stronger information-sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, greater awareness of emerging terrorist threats and tactics, and increased support for homeland security research.
On aviation security, it recommended restoring the passenger security fee to its intended purpose, expanding the Transportation Security Administration’s One-Stop Pilot Program and improving travel options for low-risk passengers.
The report also urged Congress to modernise cybersecurity information-sharing authorities, strengthen coordination and ensure the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has the resources needed to address current threats. It proposed risk-based artificial intelligence cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure and greater alignment of cyber regulations around security outcomes.
Other recommendations include fully implementing a biometric entry-exit system, expanding non-intrusive inspection technology, strengthening northern border security and increasing international cooperation on emerging security technologies.
The committee also called for sustained funding for emergency preparedness programmes, improved biodetection capabilities and stronger defences against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, including agroterrorism. It further recommended support for the reauthorisation of FirstNet, the national public-safety communications network.
Garbarino urged Congress and the executive branch to act quickly and on a bipartisan basis. He said the report was also intended to ensure that younger generations and future national security officials understand the significance of 9/11 and the continuing need to strengthen homeland security.
