The tenth of a new, well-received, and highly acclaimed series on critical infrastructure and homeland security, Communications Sector Protection and Homeland Security is an eye-opening account and an important reference source of a complex sector. Communications systems are the backbone for much of the critical infrastructure within the United States and many of the other infrastructure components are completely dependent on them to perform their missions. They serve part in parcel with other key national security and emergency preparedness resources. This book examines the importance that communication sector has for national security policy and issues of homeland security.
The 9/11 attacks have drawn attention to the security of many institutions, facilities, and systems in the U.S., incl. the nation¿s water supply and water quality infrastructure. These systems have long been recognized as being potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks of various types, including physical disruption, bioterrorism/chem. contamination, and cyber attack. Damage or destruction by terrorist attack could disrupt the delivery of vital human services in this country, threatening public health and the environment, or possibly causing loss of life. This report presents an overview of this large and diverse sector, describes security-related actions by the government and private sector since 9/11, and discusses additional policy issues and responses. Illus.
The financial services sector is critical to the economy and represents a vital component of our nation’s critical infrastructure. It includes thousands of depository institutions, providers of investment products, insurance companies, and credit and financing organizations. A terrorist attack affecting the this sector would have a devastating impact. Financial Services Sector Protection and Homeland Security provides readers with an understanding of the challenges and potential threats faced by the financial services sector. This bookpresents commonsense methodologies to help safeguard this sector in a straightforward but engaging manner. It was written in response to the critical needs of financial planners, management analysts, law enforcement and security specialists, and anyone with a general interest in the security of the financial services sector. Other books in the Critical Infrastructure and Homeland Security Series include: Dam Sector Protection and Homeland Security Energy Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security Food Supply Protection and Homeland Security Transportation Protection and Homeland Security Government Facilities Protection and Homeland Security Information Technology Protection and homeland Security
The fifteenth volume of a new, well-received and highly acclaimed series on critical infrastructure, Emergency Services Sector Protection and Homeland Security is an eye-opening account which discusses the unique challenges this industry faces and the deadly consequences that could result if there was a failure or disruption in the emergency services sector. The Emergency Services Sector (ESS) is crucial to all critical infrastructure sectors, as well as to the American public. As its operations provide the first line of defense for nearly all critical infrastructure sectors, a failure or disruption of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) would be devastating. Emergency Services Sector Protection and Homeland Security was written to provide guidelines to improve the protections and resilience of this infrastructure.
From earth tectonics and meteorology to risk, responsibility, and the role of government, this comprehensive and detailed book reviews current practices in designing dams to withstand extreme hydrologic and seismic events. Recommendations for action and for further research to improve dam safety evaluations are presented.
The Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) handbook can be used by trained personnel to identify, inventory, and screen buildings that are potentially seismically vulnerable. The RVS procedure comprises a method and several forms that help users to quickly identify, inventory, and score buildings according to their risk of collapse if hit by major earthquakes. The RVS handbook describes how to identify the structural type and key weakness characteristics, how to complete the screening forms, and how to manage a successful RVS program.
A compelling overview of systems and strategies implemented to safeguard U.S. resources from a plethora of threats, the vulnerabilities and security gaps in these infrastructure systems, and options to enable the future security of the homeland. Since the first edition of this book was published in 2009, significant changes have occurred in the security landscape, both domestically and internationally. This second edition is thoroughly updated to reflect those changes, offering a complete review of the various security and resilience measures currently in place and potential strategies to safeguard life and property within the U.S. homeland. As noted in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Goal, the mission area of protection is vital to the homeland in its focus on actions to protect people, vital interests, and our nation's way of life. With that in mind, this book discusses strategies such as risk analysis and assessment, information sharing, and continuity planning. The authors focus on relevant and timely threats and hazards facing specific infrastructure components including, but not limited to, agriculture and food, banking and finance, water, energy, telecommunications, and transportation. The dynamic posture of critical infrastructure security and resilience (CISR) underscores the importance of an integrated, layered all-hazards approach. In describing this approach, the book includes new chapters on planning and guidance, public and private partnerships, cyber issues and threats, and careers in infrastructure protection. Additions such as discussion questions, learning objectives, and fundamental concepts for each chapter provide additional direction for instructors and students alike.
Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, many agencies within the federal government began restricting some of their publicly available geospatial data and information from such sources as the World Wide Web. As time passes, however, decisionmakers have begun to ask whether and how such information specifically helps potential attackers, including terrorists, to select U.S. homeland sites and prepare for better attacks. The research detailed in this book aims to assist decisionmakers tasked with the responsibility of choosing which geospatial information to make available and which to restrict.
The Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security is an essential and timely collection of resources designed to support the effective communication of homeland security research across all disciplines and institutional boundaries. Truly a unique work this 4 volume set focuses on the science behind safety, security, and recovery from both man-made and natural disasters has a broad scope and international focus. The Handbook: Educates researchers in the critical needs of the homeland security and intelligence communities and the potential contributions of their own disciplines Emphasizes the role of fundamental science in creating novel technological solutions Details the international dimensions of homeland security and counterterrorism research Provides guidance on technology diffusion from the laboratory to the field Supports cross-disciplinary dialogue in this field between operational, R&D and consumer communities
