Introduction
Today is a day like no other that we live in. There are constant threats to our country, our way of life and to our allies. When faced with the threats today, most people automatically think of Al Qaeda and or ISIS/ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Islamic State of Iraq and Levant). This is who we are fighting on the bigger scale today. There are other threats as well and they are Lone Wolf Terrorist acting in the name of Islam here in our country, concerned attacks that could happen to our nations critical infrastructure and also cyber-attacks. When discussing cyber, other threats come to mind, and they are Russia and China. Then there is the threat of nuclear war, not so much with the Russians anymore, like the Cold War, …show more content…
“The nation 's critical infrastructure provides the essential services that underpin American society and serve as the backbone of our nation 's economy, security, and health” (DHS, 2016). It’s the power in our homes, the water we drink, the food we eat, the transportation that moves us and goods we sell and buy, and also the communications systems we use for entertainment, information and stay in touch with family and friends. Of the critical infrastructure, there are 17 sectors. These sectors are chemical, commercial, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors and materials and waste, transportation, and water and waste water systems (DHS, 2015). The relationship between our critical infrastructure and homeland security is protection of them. Much of our critical infrastructure is regulated, run by or policy written by government. This is all done for the fact that it impacts our people and our way of life. Because of this factor of the impact on our way of life, homeland security also has a role in the protection of these assets. President Obama in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 says, “terrorists seek to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit critical infrastructure and key resources across the United States to threaten national security, cause mass casualties, weaken our economy, and damage public morale and confidence” (POTUS, 2015). So how do we protect these assets? When you think about how big this country is and all the infrastructure that is spread about, it is hard to have a 100% plan to protect it all from all hazards. This is where a risk assessment is done and the government decides on which are more dangerous to the public, more accessible, and more desirable to attack. You will notice, major dams and nuclear power sites will have
Today is a day like no other that we live in. There are constant threats to our country, our way of life and to our allies. When faced with the threats today, most people automatically think of Al Qaeda and or ISIS/ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/Islamic State of Iraq and Levant). This is who we are fighting on the bigger scale today. There are other threats as well and they are Lone Wolf Terrorist acting in the name of Islam here in our country, concerned attacks that could happen to our nations critical infrastructure and also cyber-attacks. When discussing cyber, other threats come to mind, and they are Russia and China. Then there is the threat of nuclear war, not so much with the Russians anymore, like the Cold War, …show more content…
“The nation 's critical infrastructure provides the essential services that underpin American society and serve as the backbone of our nation 's economy, security, and health” (DHS, 2016). It’s the power in our homes, the water we drink, the food we eat, the transportation that moves us and goods we sell and buy, and also the communications systems we use for entertainment, information and stay in touch with family and friends. Of the critical infrastructure, there are 17 sectors. These sectors are chemical, commercial, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, emergency services, energy, financial, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors and materials and waste, transportation, and water and waste water systems (DHS, 2015). The relationship between our critical infrastructure and homeland security is protection of them. Much of our critical infrastructure is regulated, run by or policy written by government. This is all done for the fact that it impacts our people and our way of life. Because of this factor of the impact on our way of life, homeland security also has a role in the protection of these assets. President Obama in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7 says, “terrorists seek to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit critical infrastructure and key resources across the United States to threaten national security, cause mass casualties, weaken our economy, and damage public morale and confidence” (POTUS, 2015). So how do we protect these assets? When you think about how big this country is and all the infrastructure that is spread about, it is hard to have a 100% plan to protect it all from all hazards. This is where a risk assessment is done and the government decides on which are more dangerous to the public, more accessible, and more desirable to attack. You will notice, major dams and nuclear power sites will have