HLSS508 APUS Homeland Security And Critical Infrastructure Protection
Responses should be a minimum of 250 words and include direct questions. You may challenge, support or supplement another student’s answer using the terms, concepts and theories from the required readings. Also, do not be afraid to respectfully disagree where you feel appropriate; as this should be part of your analysis process at this academic level.
Respond to Patrick:
The mission of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) is to increase the security of critical infrastructure through a multifaceted and collaborative approach (NIPP, 2013). The plan outlines detailed tasks and goals that aim at increasing critical infrastructure resilience from physical and cyber-attacks (NIPP, 2013). The NIPP is founded upon risk mitigation assessments and programs that aim to include all national public and private levels (NIPP, 2013). The protection plan does not aim to infringe upon civil liberties when responding to terrorist attacks or natural disasters. The plan seeks to avoid endangering civil liberties through preventative measures and building partnership capacity.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
The events of 9/11 set a precedent that protecting critical infrastructure needs to be a priority for the federal government. Considering that 85% of the nation’s critical infrastructure is privately owned, the DHS created The Office of Infrastructure Protection (OIP) (Busch & Givens, 2012). The OIP “is responsible for coordinating information exchange and collaboration among six sectors: chemical; commercial facilities; critical manufacturing; dams; emergency services; and nuclear reactors, materials, and waste” (Busch & Givens, 2012, p. 3). In addition to the OIP, there is the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPC). The CIPC is an organization of representatives from private and government sectors that work together in addressing infrastructure protection (Busch & Givens, 2012). The DHS does not give orders or directives to the private sector representatives, both entities recognize infrastructure protection requires a collaborative effort (Busch & Givens, 2012).
Public-private relationships are delicate with slow progression due to the complexity of defining the joint responsibilities. Government and private organizations are structured differently to include different day to day operations. In recent history successful partnerships have emerged, for example after 9/11 in New York, Verizon helped rebuild network infrastructure (Busch & Givens, 2012). In 2005 Wal-Mart, partnered with state and federal government, helped distribute relief supplies to those affected by Hurricane Katrina (Busch & Givens, 2012). Establishing a strong functioning public-private partnership may be difficult but it is a step in the right direction to ensure critical infrastructure protection. The partnerships represent the government is trying alternative security methods rather than infringing upon civil liberties by demanding the assistance of private entities.
Policy
In deciding if critical infrastructure policy can be implemented without eroding civil liberties, the argument can go both ways. I would like to think that such policies could be implemented that equally ensure civil liberties and protection, but looking at big picture, maybe not. Similarly to our forum in week 1, the balance between security and freedom is back and forth. After 9/11, executive powers were granted to law enforcement that gave them the ability to surpass some civil liberties. Fear directly influenced the passing of the new laws and if another terrorist attack were to occur, additional laws may be implemented. As our lesson discusses, the government is taking action to ensure civil liberties by creating agencies like the Defense Privacy and Civil Liberties Office. Groups that are created for the purpose of protecting civil liberties is yet another alternative measure the government is trying to pursue.
References
Busch, N., & Givens, A. (2012). Public-Private Partnerships in Homeland Security: Opportunities and Challenges. Homeland Security Affairs, 8(1), 1-25. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/1266365905/
NIPP (2013). Partnering for Critical Infrastructure: Security and Resilience. Homeland Security. Retrieved from:https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-infrastructure- protection-plan-2013-508.pdf
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Attachments
20190417002649nipp_2013_partnering_for_critical_infrastructure_security_and_resilience_508_0 (4 MB)
20190417002651critical_infrastructure_protection_and_the_endangerment_of_civil_liberties (268 kB)
201904170027162014_privacy_and_civil_liberties_assessment_report (6 MB)
