Applying today´s technology to coastal security solutions

This work outlines a new way to look at the challenge of coastline security and how to apply existing technology to meet this challenge. With technologies available today, it is quite feasible to implement an undersea fiber optic network and infrastructure that can dramatically increase our ability to detect threats to the security of our coastline from hostile attacks by sea-going vessels. Further, with the scalable network technology described here experts can scan cargo imported into this country for chemical, biological and radiological materials or weapons while that cargo is still at sea. Indeed, we can determine that a threat exists before it becomes an immediate danger. The technologies for deployment, with only modest additional engineering, are available today. However, as important as the application of technology to problem is the shift in mindset that must accompany this approach. Viewing the coastline of this country as a whole, rather than as a series of ports, is critical to securing our coasts.