Technological Safeguarding

The past 50 years have seen many technological innovations in the consumer and military/security sectors. There is no question that technology has been aiding the people who are trying to protect us both domestically and abroad. I think this is most evident when considering our counter terrorism tactics. After 9/11, the federal government and other private security firms spent billions of dollars on the research and development of technologies that keep us safe. The following is a list of some technologies that are utilized by government officials to help ensure our safety:

1. We all hate traveling in airports because of the inconveniences of removing some articles of clothing, and dealing with the delays that inevitably accrue because due to the needs of the DHS. However, within the past 10 years we have developed new and sophisticated ways of scanning passengers more efficiently, requiring less time. There are devices known as body scanners detect weapons and other harmful items within seconds. Another benefit of this device is that it limits the amount of time DHS personnel pat people down, a process which can be uncomfortable and awkward.

2. The ability of Federal Authorities to read all Internet related materials, as well as tapping phone lines around that world that are deemed a threat. This is a crucial tool used to fight terrorism, but also can be used domestically to gather additional information that is used by prosecutors in court cases. Last year this type of technology was used in an inside trading case against a hedge fund manager in the Gallon Group located in New York City.

3. The ability for counties to use satellites that can provide surveillance of certain geographic regions and people from around the world. This gives governments the ability to gain intelligence on where threats are and what they are doing.

Even as technological innovations continue to develop, terror groups and other crime organizations are adapting their strategies respectively. This is evident with the attempt this weekend by Al Qaeda to blow up packages that were being transported in airplanes. This proves that attacks, which can cause tremendous damage and loss, can be created and implemented very cheaply with basic technologies