Jane A. Bullock

Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection

The nation’s infrastructure is extensive and includes all of the basic physical and organizational structures, systems, services, and facilities that are required for society to operate. The security of computer—or “cyber”—systems, is a matter of national security. We are faced with the fact that a nation, group, or even an individual armed with nothing more than a complex computer virus or knowledge of a weakness in a software package or hardware system can quietly and from a great distance cause significant social or economic disruption or worse, physical destruction, injuries, and deaths. Our nation’s cyber infrastructure is just one of many important systems and networks that make our modern society possible. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 authorized and directed the Department of Homeland Security to secure critical infrastructure and to protect the nation’s key resources.

Global warming, natural hazards, and emergency management

The Case for Adaptation (Risk Reduction), K. Haddow Planning and Protecting the Environment, J. Schwab, AICP, and K. Hohmann Federal Mitigation Programs: Collateral Stimulus to Reducing the Impacts of Climate Change in our Communities, J. Bullock, F. McCarthy, and B. Cowan Community-Based Hazard-Mitigation Case Studies, A. Patton and A. Chakos County/Regional-Based Hazard-Mitigation Case Studies, D. Dickson, R. Gross, and I. Pearce Conclusions and Recommendations, G. Haddow Appendix: Compilation of Reports, Web Sites, and Other Materials Related to Climate Change, D.P. Coppola

The Future of Emergency Management

Change has remained a constant in emergency management since 2000. In the aftermath of the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the nation’s emergency management system experienced a drastic change in its all-hazards approach to risk to one that focused on the singular terrorism hazard. This particular change is believed to have been the principle cause of the botched response to Hurricane Katrina. Following that event, another change occurred as the focus returned to all-hazards. And again, as the dust rises in the effort to rebuild the Northeast states impacted by Hurricane Sandy, we are seeing new changes to the manner in which our government approaches recovery.

7 – Transportation Safety and Security

Transportation is the general term that refers to the movement of things or people from one location to another. Transportation security, namely the identification, assessment, and reduction of vulnerabilities within and threats to the vast transportation network, has expanded greatly, experiencing great change and challenge along the way. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration is the primary government body tasked with addressing the security of transportation systems and infrastructure.

4 – The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Preparedness

This chapter discusses the preparedness cycle from a systems approach, preparedness programs, hazard preparedness, training programs, and exercise programs. The focus is on federal efforts—predominantly FEMA—and best practices are highlighted through several case studies.

8 – Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection

The nation’s infrastructure is extensive and includes all of the basic physical and organizational structures, systems, services, and facilities that are required for society to operate. The security of computer—or “cyber”—systems, is a matter of national security. We are faced with the fact that a nation, group, or even an individual armed with nothing more than a complex computer virus or knowledge of a weakness in a software package or hardware system can quietly and from a great distance cause significant social or economic disruption or worse, physical destruction, injuries, and deaths. Our nation’s cyber infrastructure is just one of many important systems and networks that make our modern society possible. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 authorized and directed the Department of Homeland Security to secure critical infrastructure and to protect the nation’s key resources.

1 – Homeland Security: The Concept, The Organization

The attacks on September 11, 2001 raised concern about terrorism to new heights among politicians, the media, and the general public in the United States and prompted the creation and passage of the Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland security. The first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review was conducted in 2010 and updated in 2014 and has helped to guide policy and program actions in homeland security. The exclusive focus by all levels of government on terrorism after the September 11 attacks reduced emergency response capabilities across the nation resulting in the botched response to Hurricane Katrina.

2 – Historic Overview of the Terrorist Threat

A historic perspective of the evolution of the programs, policies, and organizations established to address the problem of terrorism, nuclear threats, and other emergencies in the United States and help frame the legislative, organizational, and operational underpinnings of America’s homeland security structure. Events that helped shape homeland security policy include terrorist events aimed at the US government outside its shores including the Khobar Towers bombing and the attack of the USS Cole, the two terrorist incidents prior to September 11: the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Federal Office Building. There is an extensive section of the tragic events of September 11 and new material will include brief profiles of the April 15, 2013 Boston Marathon Bombings and subsequent capture of one of the bombers, the response to the 2012 Hurricane Sandy, information from the 10th Anniversary Report of the 9/11 Commission, the “lone wolf” attacks in San Bernardino, Orlando, Minnesota, and New York City and Seascape, New Jersey, and the dramatic increase in cyber attacks in 2016.

7 – The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Recovery

Without a doubt, the federal government plays the largest role in providing the technical and financial support for recovery. For that reason, this chapter focuses on the federal role in the disaster recovery function. It discusses the structure and the various programs available to assist individuals and communities in the post-disaster environment. The various national voluntary organizations that provide some assistance for recovery are briefly referenced, and several case studies are included to demonstrate the different types of recovery.

The Disciplines of Emergency Management: Mitigation

This chapter discusses the tools of mitigation, the impediments to mitigation, federal programs that support mitigation, and several case studies that demonstrate how these tools have been applied to successfully reduce various risks.