09 Jul WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION?
Shh, don’t tell: You don’t need to be a customs and border protection futurist, consultant, or keynote speaker to get a sense of just how radically this important field is changing and evolving in response to new trends and innovations. All you have to do is open your eyes the next time you take an international flight and take an active peek around the airport to get a sense of just how rapidly things are shifting. Working as customs and border protection futurists and consultants, what say we take a brief tour of the space and some of the types of projects we and our peers tend to work on? And some hot topics as of late?
CBP Solutions Get a High-Tech Upgrade: Technology is set to play an even larger role in customs and border protection in the years to come. Get ready to see more use of biometrics for identification, AI for threat assessment and detection, drones for surveillance and blockchain for supply chain traceability. In essence, advances in technology will allow for more efficient processing and increased security.
Smart and Self-Aware Solutions: Automation could help streamline many CBP processes, as customs and border protection futurists have posited. For example, automated passport control kiosks and e-gates have already started to speed up immigration and customs procedures at many airports. Intelligent tech can also help reduce the risk of human error in areas like data entry.
Risk-based screening: With the vast amount of goods and people moving across borders, focusing on high-risk targets instead of universal checks can make border protection more efficient. Machine learning and predictive analytics can be used to identify risk patterns and flag potential threats.
Collaboration and data sharing: Inter-agency and international cooperation will continue to be critical. Efforts here could include sharing of intelligence and best practices, joint operations, and harmonization of procedures.
Addressing new threats: As the world changes, new types of threats may emerge that CBP agencies will need to address. For example, climate change could cause increased migration, requiring more resources for border management. Cybersecurity will also become increasingly important to be aware of, as much of the technology used in customs and border protection could be targeted by cyberattacks.
Humanitarian concerns: CBP agencies will need to balance their security mission with societal obligations such as the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees. It will require training and resources to ensure that vulnerable populations are treated fairly and humanely.
Public sentiment and policy: CBP agencies’ practices will continue to be influenced by public opinion and political decision-making, both of which can shift over time, which can lead to significant changes in policy and practice.
