The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) recently hosted a webinar titled "Stopping Terrorism at the Border," featuring Jorge Comas, Director of the Counter Network Division at U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) National Targeting Center (NTC). The discussion provided in-depth insights into the evolving strategies for border security, counterterrorism, and the proactive measures CBP employs to detect and neutralize threats before they materialize. Dr. Ali Imran participated and represented Saint Pierre Center for International Security (SPCIS).
Comas, who has been involved with the NTC for two decades, provided a historical overview of the center’s establishment in October 2001 as a direct response to the September 11 attacks. He recounted the center’s early days, operating with outdated technology in a small space within the Ronald Reagan Building, and its transformation into a cutting-edge intelligence and operations hub.
He elaborated on the core mission of the NTC, which remains focused on identifying individuals who pose potential national security threats, particularly those suspected of terrorism. Over the years, the center has evolved from simply intercepting threats at the border to a comprehensive pre-departure approach, analyzing entire supply chains of travel and cargo to identify and disrupt threats at their earliest stages.
A key takeaway from the webinar was the network-based approach CBP has adopted to combat terrorism. Rather than waiting for adversaries to reach the U.S. border, the Counter Network Division tracks financial transactions, travel patterns, and supply chain movements to detect potential threats. Comas highlighted a recent 2024 operation targeting individuals linked to ISIS-K, emphasizing the center’s role in identifying facilitators, issuing diplomatic warnings, and working with international partners to prevent threats before they materialize.
Comas also provided an inside look at the NTC’s symbolic headquarters, where historical artifacts such as a steel girder from the World Trade Center and granite blocks from the Pentagon serve as daily reminders of the mission’s significance. The facility’s 21 hash marks on the lobby floor commemorate the 21 months that the 9/11 hijackers spent in the U.S. before carrying out their attack—highlighting the imperative of early detection and disruption.
The webinar further explored the evolving technological landscape of counterterrorism. Comas emphasized the increasing use of cryptocurrencies, encrypted communications, and digital platforms by terrorist organizations, posing new challenges for law enforcement. To counter these threats, the NTC leverages advanced data analytics, AI-driven risk assessment models, and intelligence-sharing partnerships across government agencies and allied nations.
Comas encouraged individuals interested in national security careers to explore opportunities with CBP and the National Targeting Center through USAJobs.gov. He underscored that CBP is more than just uniformed officers at the border—it includes intelligence analysts, data scientists, and financial crime specialists, all working collaboratively to prevent another 9/11-style attack.
The NCITE webinar on Stopping Terrorism at the Border underscored the critical role of intelligence-driven, proactive counterterrorism measures in today’s complex global security environment. Through its network-centric approach, the NTC remains at the forefront of efforts to disrupt and dismantle terrorist and transnational criminal organizations before they can act.
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