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 Discussion Questions: Describe "Smart Borders" in the context of detection capability? Examine Intellectual Property (IP) theft/violations and the economic impact of border security in 2022? What can be done to address the Chinese efforts at wholesale IP theft? 

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1. "Smart Borders" describes the application of cutting-edge technologies and data-driven strategies to improve border crossing detection capabilities. Enhance border security and enable effective and secure flow of products and people. It involves deploying technology, including biometrics, video surveillance, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Smart Borders seek to improve border security measures while reducing obstructions to lawful trade and travel. Smart Borders use various technologies to identify potential dangers and risks at border crossings in the context of detection capability. By examining distinctive physical or behavioural traits like fingerprints, facial features, or iris patterns, for instance, biometric technologies can be used to verify people's identities (Minkyu, 2023). Advanced analytics-enabled video surveillance systems can assist in monitoring and analyzing real-time footage to find suspicious activity or unauthorized border crossings. Large amounts of data can be processed using analytics to spot patterns, alert to risks, and flag anomalies.

Border control is crucial in preventing the import or export of counterfeit goods and safeguarding intellectual property rights regarding intellectual property theft and violations. IP theft is the illegal use, duplication, or distribution of works protected by copyright, trademarks, or patents. This kind of theft has a significant financial impact on global economies and industries. Consumer trust is undermined by counterfeit products, which also lead to lost sales, job losses, and a decline in innovation (Minkyu, 2023). By using cutting-edge technologies for spotting fake goods, Smart Borders can help fight IP theft. For example, more advanced scanning technologies can spot inconsistencies in product packaging, labelling, or legitimacy. Collaboration and data sharing between border agencies, law enforcement, and owners of intellectual property rights can also aid in effectively locating and seizing counterfeit goods. Countries may improve border security, defend legitimate firms, and protect their economies by utilizing Smart Borders and combating intellectual property theft. In order to combat IP theft and lessen its financial impact, effective detection capabilities and global collaboration are crucial.

2. Smart Borders is an enhanced way of protecting the United States border. Instead of the stereotypical wall or personnel, it uses modern technology such as inspection technology and traffic management to help protect the southern border.  A better explanation would be “Made up of a patchwork of tools like drones and sensors”(Ghaffary 2020). 

In the same article, it discusses that due to the technological advancements at the border, immigrants are going on more dangerous routes to not be detected, in case makes the probability of death higher. 

With modern technology emerging, cyber attacks and crimes are just as significant compared to visible crimes. Intellectual property is a product that was created online, this could range from music to fighter jets. 

The economical impact of Intellectual Property being stolen varies. But looking towards the very negative side, it was discussed in the lesson that if there was a vulnerability in our network to which adversaries could look at the technology implemented at the border, adversaries could find ways to exploit the system. Another example would be the new fifth generation fighter aircraft. I personally have experience with this because even though China has replicated the F-35, there are still some classified materials on the aircraft that makes it impossible in my career field to respond to an aircraft accident involving the F-35. The reason it ties into this is because in incidents, we take pictures of the scene to give a common operating picture for wigs. But as responders, we can’t take pictures because of the “What if?” possibility that our intellectual property could be stolen and recreated with our adversaries.

Inside the Department of Homeland Security, there is a sub group called the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, called CISA.

CISA’s main job is to protect and mitigate cyber threats. Apart of that is protecting United States Intellectual Property from China. 

Ways to combat this type of crime is to focus on cyber security and to give information on a “Need to Know” basis. Such as sensitive information not being passed around. The United States saw this with that 19 year old kid and the Ukraine war. The Airman was able to leak information that should have been not authorized for him to see.

Pretty much using mitigation techniques known in cyber security and practicing good habits are going to be the best way to protect Intellectual Property from United States Adversaries.