Abstract: A method of expediting a release procedure of at least one cargo container at least one border crossing or at least one customs entry point by detecting each statistically significant threat (SST) signal associated with at least one said cargo container while in transit, and by tracking and reporting to an appropriate party the position coordinates and a security status of each cargo container that generated at least one said SST signal. The appropriate party is selected from the group consisting of: {Homeland Security agency; and a cargo security agency}. The cargo security agency is further selected from the group consisting of: {a consignee; a steamship line; a customs broker; a freight forwarder; and a terminal operator}.

Abstract: A method of active detection of at least one threat to the homeland security. Each such threat is either hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or is placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit; each such threat while interacting with its surrounding generates a unique threat signature. The method comprises the following steps: (A) substantially continuously probing each cargo container; (B) detecting at least one threat signature; (C) processing each detected threat signature to determine a likelihood of at least one threat to become a threat to the homeland security; (D) identifying at least one container that includes such threat to the homeland security; and (E) eliminating such threat to the homeland security.

Abstract: A method for identifying at least one threat to the homeland security. Each threat is either hidden inside at least one cargo container before transit, or is placed inside at least one cargo container while in transit. Each threat while interacting with its surrounding generates a unique threat signature. The method comprises the following steps: (A) detecting at least one threat signature; and (B) processing each detected threat signature to determine a likelihood of at least one threat to become a threat to the homeland security.