The vulnerabilities that were previously unimaginable to the United States now seem commonplace since September 12, 2001, when the country faced its darkest moments occasioned by the act of ruthless terrorists linked to AL Qaeda. The September 2001 bombing by the Al Qaeda threatened the basic tenet of development in the United States, characterized by massive infrastructures, interconnected economy, and the openness of the society could easily be exploited, to render the country immobile, hence unresponsive to an immediate threat. The realization that the country was vulnerable to the immense threat posed by the interconnectedness of its society was the reason why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was tasked with the obligation of ensuring that local and international threats directed towards the American soil are easily identified and mitigated. Subsequently, DHS should refer to the principles of Strategic risk management and rely on the tools of risk management to guarantee the safety of all Americans and their properties, hence the economy.
DHS Use of Risk Management Tools in Preparing and Combating Risk in the Country
Risk management helps policymakers and security agencies make informed decisions in deliberating matters that pose risk to internal peace. Homeland security enterprise uses risk management by executing objectives through cooperation with the state, territorial, local, tribal, non-governmental, and private sectors (Schanczer, Eyerman, & Dirugue, 2009). Particularly, risk management allows DHS to understand threats, deter and disrupt operations, protect against terrorist capabilities, stop the spread of violent extremism, and engage the community on security issues (Schanczer, Eyerman, & Dirugue, 2009, p. 19). Therefore, DHS applies the principles of risk management at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Additionally, DHS applies strategic management through budgeting. Subsequently, Homeland Security allocates funds according to a strategic plan, to mitigate such threats cost-effectively, thereby saving on taxpayers’ money (Schanczer, Eyerman, & Dirugue, 2009, p. 25). Finally, DHS uses strategic risk management through evaluation of programs and refers to the assumption that the development of new programs ought to be vigorously vetted to ascertain their viability and manage risks that may prevent successful implementation (Schanczer, Eyerman, & Dirugue, 2009, p. 36). Accordingly, Homeland Security identifies and manages threats strategically by referring to the principles and tools of strategic risk management, which emphasizes the holistic development of security measures to create balance within the system.
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The wise decision by DHS to employ strategic risk management tactics in managing security concerns is not only effective in combatting threats but also provides opportunities for cross-agency deliberation on priorities. Notably, DHS promises to offer a solution to the longstanding issues that prevent smooth cooperation among agencies, especially those that deliberate on budget priorities and nationwide cohesion. Also, the use of strategic risk management guarantees to unite individuals while involving them in discussing their risk priorities ( Battaglia, Pamphile, Bak, Spencer, & Gunn, 2019 ). However, the government ought to invest in measures that will increase efforts to explain risk management principles to the public.
Conclusion
In summary, the use of strategic risk management by the Department of Homeland Security allows for heightened security in the country. Therefore, the DHS should continue to cooperate with the state, territorial, local, tribal, non-governmental, and private sectors, as cohesion will allow for a better understanding of threats that may be facing the country. The application of strategic risk management at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels by the DHS is commendable, as it provides opportunities for cross-agency deliberation on priorities, eventually combatting security threats in the country. Additionally, the act of evaluating the cost of security will illuminate further on the need for heightened awareness on the issues of individual policing. Correspondingly, resources will be allocated appropriately and focus given to the weighty concerns.
References
Battaglia, T. A., Pamphile, J., Bak, S., Spencer, N., & Gunn, C. (2019). Connecting community to research: A training program to increase community engagement in research. Progress
in community health partnerships: research, education, and action , 13 (2), 209.
Schanczer, D. H., Eyerman, J., & Dirugue, V. (2009). Strategic Risk Management in Government: A Look at Homeland Security. Retrieved from IBM Center for Government Business: http://www.businessofgovernment.org/sites/default/files/StrategicRiskManagement_0.pdf
Homeland Security Preparedness to Protect and Ensure Survivability of Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
Homeland Security strives at protecting the lives and livelihood of the American people, a task that demands careful planning and proper implementation of strategies to disrupt terrorist attacks in the Homeland. Also, the scope of Homeland Security is to ensure that measures are in place to deter the threat of terrorism, thereby mitigating the Nation’s vulnerabilities. The application of strategic risk management by the Department of Homeland Security also preserves the Nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources, as outlined in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan manifesto. Accordingly, the goal of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), extends beyond building “a safer, more secure, and more resilient American”, as their focus is on protecting Nation’s critical infrastructure. Nonetheless, Nipp's capabilities to ensure the survivability of its critical infrastructure can only be tested by evaluating the strategies deployed to deter the terrorist threat, mitigate the vulnerability, and minimize consequences posed by the damages resultant of unforeseen events.
The DHS has a program that outlines various actions they deploy to decrease the likelihood of success should any party attempt to sponsor or facilitate terrorism. The agency supposes that terrorist actors can be deterred and dissuaded from launching attacks if they notice that their efforts cannot contribute to their agenda (Homeland Security, 2008). DHS achieves this by restricting border transactions and by denying entry to all suspects and facilitators of crimes. Also, DHS advocates for a change in motivational calculus, citing that terrorist actors can be deterred or dissuaded from conducting attacks if they understand the potential consequences of their actions.
In addition to deterring terrorist acts, DHS outlines measures that allow them to mitigate vulnerabilities. Homeland Security accepts the fact that it cannot deter all terrorist threats and also acknowledges their incapacity to prevent natural catastrophes, thereby outlining measures to adapt when faced with either event to prevent further destruction of critical structure (Bush, 2008). Notably, the department lists 17 sectors that are key to the development of the State and worth protecting against destruction, including Agriculture and Food, Chemical, Banking and Finance, Commercial Facilities, Dams, Defense Industrial Base, Energy, and Information Technology, to mention but a few. Subsequently, the department acts by ensuring that both structural and operational resilience is enhanced and that the American people are protected through medical preparedness. Consequently, the measures adopted by the Homeland Security minimizes the vulnerability of the American populace and their properties, in the event of a terrorist attack or natural calamity.
Finally, the Department of Homeland Security strives to minimize the consequences of calamities occurrence. The department equally accepts that calamities are difficult to predict and control, similar to terror attacks, therefore necessitating the implementation of appropriate measures to minimize their consequences (Bush, 2008, np). Therefore, Homeland Security invests in information technology, through partnerships with tech giants to provide guidance and instructions to the public with warnings about impending dangers, as well as measures that ought to be implemented should the threat materialize. Notably, the department can protect most of the Nation’s critical infrastructure by providing situational updates to Americans, compelling them to take necessary preparatory or protective measures, to safeguard lives and property.
Conclusion
In summary, this study underlines the components of critical infrastructure and the need for their protection. The Department of Homeland Security is charged with ensuring that there is peace in Homeland America and equally works to safeguard critical properties that sustain national development. It is now apparent that the department is adequately prepared as the measures outlined in its manifesto are sufficient to allow for substantive protection of lives and property. DHS adopts measures to deter terrorist acts, mitigate vulnerabilities, and minimize consequences. Therefore, the country’s infrastructure is safe and could suffer minimized harm should an unforeseen event materialize.
References
Bush, G. W. (2008, February). Protect The American People, Critical Infrastructure, And Key Resources. Retrieved from The White House: https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/homeland/nshs/2007/sectionVI.html
Homeland Security. (2008, September 18). A Guide to Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Protection at the State, Regional, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Level. Retrieved from Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nipp_srtltt_guide.pdf
