PortSec: Port Security Risk Management and Resource Allocation System

Ports are important to the US economy. This is particularly true with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (POLA/LB). Over 40% of all containers shipped in and out of the US flow through the two-port complex. In addition, the POLA/LB complex support large bulk cargo, tanker, and cruise ship operations. It is vital that these ports be protected from terrorist attack and/or from damage from natural causes. The DHS funded Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) is developing a port security risk management and resource allocation system (PortSec). PortSec will support both tactical day-to-day security decision-making and long-term strategic security planning. An initial PortSec prototype (1.0) that supports tactical day-to-day risk assessment and resource allocation has been developed and demonstrated to the POLA/LB and the DHS Science & Technology Directorate.