 | ACE is testing new border security technology
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Currently, U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers use several different targeting and processing systems to decide which cargo containers to search or release. One is the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal, which will soon provide CBP officers with another option, "One Screen at the Border," a single, easily accessible, web-based system to view information pertaining to goods, and make it easier to identify potential risks. The portal looks like a customized computer screen similar to a Web site homepage. It is currently available and is being used by hundreds of trade participants and internal CBP personnel such as account managers. Trade participants are large and small importers, brokers, carriers, etc. Over the next four years, the portal will be rolled out in phases to all CBP ports of entry.Through use of the ACE Secure Data Portal, the Modernization Program in the Office of Information and Technology is continuing to develop systems that improve the capabilities of the CBP officers and is currently testing two new security prototypes:Knowledge Based Risk Management (KBRM)
The KBRM prototype has advanced risk management capabilities that improves the ability of CBP officers to combat terrorism, trans-national crime, and trade violations by strengthening targeting capabilities for screening cargo.This prototype stores and analyzes information from account activity patterns that occur over a period of time that identifies critical elements. These elements indicate threat scenarios, such as situations involving "dirty bombs," conventional weapons, trade fraud, or narcotics violations.Intelligent Information Factory (IIF)
The second prototype, the IIF, provides a new set of analytical tools to support the National Targeting Center (NTC) mission. The IIF will enable the NTC to capture and catalog large amounts of data from multiple sources not previously available to CBP. Enhanced analysis is then performed to discover previously unknown relationships and linkages. A key benefit of the IIF is more effective sharing of information among all government agencies.By using the KBRM and IIF prototypes, ACE will help secure the U.S. borders. These systems will enable ACE to identify possible risks, analyze information before arrival, expand information sharing, and provide intelligence in easy-to-use formats to CBP officers on the front line.For more information on ACE and the prototypes, visit the Modernization & ACE web pages located on www.cbp.gov or write to CBPMO@dhs.gov. |
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