Port Receives $4.8 Million FEMA Security Grant

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the Port of Long Beach with $4,777,500 million dollars. The purpose is to enhance safeguards at the port. The Port of Long Beach is the second business seaport in the nation, and it is vital that it is protected and a grant like the awarded can help with that. 

The money from the security grant will help with upgrading cybersecurity, increase the number of cameras and sensors around the harbor, and continue the Port’s investment in its fiber and wireless network infrastructure. The more users a network has, the more congested the connection and speed can get. A fiber and wireless network help with high speed and therefore higher productivity.

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said, “Securing the Port requires state-of-the-art technology to monitor activities on land, on the water and below the water. This grant will help us enhance our domain awareness and maintain our readiness to protect the harbor.” High-tech cybersecurity can help prevent similar attacks to what Maersk experienced in 2017. In June 2017, A.P. Moller Maersk was a victim of a cyber-attack which halted operation of its container ships which transport about 15% of global trade per containers. 

The trade conducted at The Port of Long Beach helps support 2.6 million jobs around the nation. “The Harbor Commission is thankful for this federal funding that helps us ensure the smooth flow of commerce,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. As one of the world’s premier seaports it helps connect 175 shipping lines to 217 seaports. Now, that is a lot of cybersecurity that is needed. The Port also helps handle $200 billion in trade annually. Commodities like produce, toys, automobiles, textiles to machineries are imported to the U.S. and altogether helps support 275,000 Southern Californian jobs.  

Alejandra Salgado

IG: @alejandra.salgado.rtv

Twitter: @alejandrasalpan