**GAO-04-1062**                      Published: Sep 30, 2004. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2004.                  

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## Highlights

Created in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Port Security Assessment Program was designed to evaluate security at the nation's 55 most economically and militarily strategic ports. Implemented by the U.S. Coast Guard, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, the program focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, suggesting approaches to minimize them, and making the information available to those responsible for developing and implementing portwide security plans. The program has been under way for more than 2 years and has undergone several sets of changes, including the addition of a geographic information system (GIS). GAO was asked to discuss why and how the program changed and assess the Coast Guard's approach for implementing the program in its current form.

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## Topics

Homeland Security

CounterterrorismFacility securityHarborsHomeland securityNational defense operationsPerformance measuresPhysical securityPort security assessment programProgram evaluationPort security