Today, Miami has one of the highest security budgets of any port in the state; percentage wise, it is probably one of the highest in the country. The skyrocketing security costs resulting from federally mandated programs after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, have been a financial challenge on the Port's budget. Prior to 9/11, the security budget for the Port of Miami amounted to $4.1 million. Today, that figure has more than quadrupled to an unprecedented $18 million. Although the federal government has provided grant funds to pay for certain security capital improvements, the operating costs come out of the Port's budget, forcing it to divert essential capital development funds to cover operational security costs.

One of the port's goals is to integrate the various security systems, such as electronic scanning equipment and closed circuit TV cameras with the port's Communications, Command and Control (CCC) center. This requires very close communication and coordination with the port's business partners, who also spend millions of dollars in their individual security systems. "We need to think as one and have all the systems integrate with the CCC," said port director Bill Johnson.

The overriding objective, according to Johnson, is not only remain fully compliant with all state and federal regulations, and exceed them, but most importantly, have the port become the model for the state and the nation in state-of-the-art equipment dealing with security.

The Port of Miami is where the federal government launched the Homeland Security Initiative, and it is still considered a model and innovator in security systems.

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