Customs and Border Protection
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On this week\'s show, host Mike Causey talks with NTEU president Colleen Kelley and Federal Times\' Steve Watkins about different budget plans being considered and how they might hit you, or your agency, in the wallet.
February 16, 2011 -
The controversial project to build an electronic fence along the country\'s southern border is being terminated.
January 14, 2011 -
The agency plans on hiring 500 more federal employees in 2011. Officials said they could save $40 million by reducing the number of vendor employees. CBP also is hiring more lower-level employees to help keep the pipeline of skills flowing.
January 13, 2011 -
The agency needs to lower IT contract costs to use money for staff and other mission-critical needs. Customs and Border Protection must deal with a several hundred million dollar technology budget cut while needing to update its infrastructure.
January 13, 2011 -
Alma Cole leads the SOC, tasked with cybersecurity for DHS and its component agencies.
October 04, 2010 -
The arrest of Faisal Shahzad is a sign of things to come says CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin.
September 15, 2010 -
The new, border-wide use of the Predator aircraft marks an unprecedented amount of resources directed to the southwest. Michael Kostelnik, the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Air and Marine for Customs and Border Protection explains.
September 14, 2010 -
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You can follow the officers and agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as they scour the inhospitable landscape at one of the busiest border crossings in the country, seeking to fight terrorism and intercept illegal entrants from the air, on the ground and at the ports of entry. Details from CBP\'s Bill Anthony.
September 02, 2010 -
The Department of Homeland Security has embarked on a project to develop an advanced sensor system for monitoring shipping containers from their point-of-storage to release in the maritime supply chain. The Advanced Container Security Device (or ACSD) is a small unit that attaches to the inside of a container and monitors all six sides for any intrusion or the presence of human cargo. If the device detects such an intrusion or presence it transmits alarm information through the Marine Asset Tag Tracking System to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The ACSD will also build in a standard plug-and-play interface so that other security or commercial sensors (such as those measuring radiological, chemical, or biological factors) can be easily integrated through a standard interface. 40 prototype systems have been delivered, tested and evaluated. This fiscal year, the project plans to remedy shortfalls discovered during prototype testing and put improvements in place.
August 30, 2010 -
Most agencies do not have an accurate inventory of how many devices they are paying for or how much those devices are being used. Officials estimate the government could save as much as $200 million a year by improving the management and optimization of contracts for wireless devices. The administration plans to revive the wireless communications strategic sourcing initiative.
August 20, 2010 -
Field technology officers must fix hardware and software no matter the hazard, even if it\'s hundreds of feet up on a tower or on a snow covered mountain top. Employees need to be physically fit and technically skilled to perform the duties. CBP counts on these employees to keep the systems working to monitor and protect the borders.
July 14, 2010 -
CBP to implement and evaluate technologies at two sites in Arizona this year to see how well SBINet works and whether to continue deploying the technology. These tests are part of Secretary Napolitano\'s assessment of SBINet\'s value. Lawmakers remain pessimistic that the program can get back on track.
June 18, 2010 -
Employee union claims agencies have abused their privileges and OPM has done nothing to stop them. NTEU says the Federal Career Internship Program flies in the face of merit system hiring principles.
April 30, 2010 -
A project designed during the Bush Administration to stem the flow of illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexican border has now fallen on hard times, and formerly supportive lawmakers are now hinting of a dim future for the virtual fence. Thad Bingel, a former Chief of Staff at Customs and Border Protection, explains what\'s at stake.
April 22, 2010