international ports and international shipping companies.[Footnote 9]
To fully implement the new security programs, DHS expects to recruit
and train candidates with diplomatic, language, and risk assessment
(targeting) skills for 2-to 3-year permanent assignments at foreign
ports. We reported that because some of these ports are in countries
that our government considers hardship assignments, DHS faces a
daunting challenge in attracting U.S. personnel with the necessary
skills for these assignments. We recommended, among other improvements,
that DHS develop human capital plans that clearly describe how the
cargo security programs will meet the programs' long-term demands for
skilled staff. DHS officials agreed to develop human capital plans to
better ensure the programs' long-term success.