Cultivating Decision Advantage: How CBP Can Integrate Intelligence to Improve Border Security
Abstract
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeks to integrate intelligence to use the information it collects more strategically. CBP's Office of Field Operations (OFO) can anticipate emerging threats at ports of entry but is limited in its ability to capitalize on existing data to thwart criminal networks. This thesis explores how OFO can effectively integrate intelligence to improve border security by collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information in a more strategic manner. Using a case study approach to adopt best practices, and acknowledging disparate roles and responsibilities, this study assesses the domestic intelligence services of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany to understand how each coordinates intelligence activity. Asa result, this thesis identifies best practices for OFO to consider; specifically, this thesis recommends two possible frameworks for OFO to shape port intelligence units at ports of entry. As CBP seeks to integrate intelligence, OFO can contribute to its strategic goal by standardizing port intelligence units within a desk officer or task-sharing system; each system integrates intelligence, cultivates decision advantage, and fosters analytically driven collection. This thesis concludes that standardizing port intelligence effectively integrates intelligence and positions CBP to make meaningful contributions to the intelligence enterprise and accomplish mission goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1224833
Entities
People
- John W. Siffermann
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School