Risk Management and the Elements Comprising Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
Instructions
Please complete each of the essay questions below… these are unique essays that should be treated as different documents which will then be put together into ONE WORD document and formally uploaded. DO NOT SUBMIT FOUR DIFFERENT documents please. Only one cover sheet is needed for the entire assignment when you place the four unique essay into a single document for submission:
Essay 1: The basic equation for risk is defined as R =f(C*V*T) where R is the level of risk, C is the consequences ( public health, our economy, government action, public confidence in our institutions) of an attack, V is an assessment of the vulnerability of a potential target ( how hard or easy it would be for it to be hit by terrorists) and T is the threat or the likelihood that a specific target will suffer an attack or a disaster from specific weapon. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that it will apply risk management principles to homeland security operations and has stated that “ Ultimately, homeland security is about effectively managing risks to the Nation’s security” (DHS,2010, p2). Drawing upon your class readings and additional research examine how risk management is used by homeland security enterprise and how that use benefits such aspects as resource allocation, strategic planning, grant awards, or any of the multitudes of other homeland security issues or operations.
Essay 2: In your readings you have provided a variety of definitions for the term Homeland Security. Additionally, the national strategies and readings have talked to the difference between homeland security and homeland defense. Drawing upon your readings and other class materials, craft two columns; one labeled Homeland Security and the other Homeland Defense. Under the headers of each column list those missions, task, duties, responsibilities, operations, etc. which are identified from the National policies, strategies and readings. Some tasks may be listed under both columns. Where this occurs, be sure to identify if there is any element of that item that is specific to either Homeland Security or Homeland Defense. Lastly, drawing upon the list you developed, provide a definition of homeland security.
Essay 3: Critical infrastructure is defined in the National Infrastructure Protection Plan as “Systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital that the incapacity or destruction of such may have a debilitating impact on the security, economy, public health or safety, environment, or any combination of these matter, across any Federal, State, regional, territorial, local jurisdiction” ( DHS, 2009, p. 109). From this definition, one can reasonably presume that protection of these assets is vital to the well-being of the United States and as such is essential element of homeland security. Drawing upon the readings provide your assessment of the capability of the nation’s infrastructure protection program to ensure the survivability of its critical infrastructure.
Essay 4: Provide an examination of the various elements that comprise Homeland Security and Homeland defense. This should include a description of major laws, programs, and activities post 9/11. Evaluate their impact on civil liberties within the United States. Lastly, your examination of the question should include a fact based analysis of overall positive or negative impact on the nation.
Technical Requirements
. Your paper must be at a MAXIMUM of 8-12 pages, or 2-3 pages for each question ( the title and reference pages do not count towards the minimum limit).
. Scholarly and peer reviewed references should be used. A minimum of 6-8 sources are required for this assignment.
. Type in Times New Roman, 12 points and double space.
.Students will follow the current APA Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of the coursework.
. Points will be deducted for the use of Wikipedia or encyclopedic type sources. It is highly advised to utilize books, peer-reviewed journals, articles, archived documents, etc.
. All submissions will be graded using the assignment rubric.
Final Essay
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Final Essay
Essay 1
Homeland security uses the Risk = f (T, V, C) equation to refine risk analysis in the nation and ensure that the department improves its capacity to triangulate threats and apply appropriate deterrent measures. The National Research Council (2010) indicates that this approach is a suitable framework that enables the nation to decompose the risk into its constituents and inform the stakeholders in managing it by prioritizing the most urgent vulnerabilities. The department’s increasing adoption of the equation has been fundamental in determining the gravity of diverse threats facing the nation and strategizing mechanisms of foiling them before they can cause any damage. As a result, this equation informs various response mechanisms to homeland security threats, including strategic planning, resource allocation, grant awards, and
When homeland security experts understand the threat threshold, they can quickly strategize their response measures. The Department of Homeland Security (2011) indicates that the nation faces diverse terrorism and natural disasters requiring proper assessment to inform the coordination, prioritization, and response approaches. Without the inputs of the risk assessment equation, stakeholders would not identify which risks poses the most significant and immediate danger. As a result, decision-making would follow a hunch pattern rather than realistic projections. In this context, the National Research Council (2010) demonstrates how using risk assessment computations refines strategic responses and improves desired outcomes. Thus, this approach has enabled the department to thwart many threats since 9/11.
The integration of refined risk management techniques highlighted by the National Research Council (2010) has fundamentally revolutionized the utilization of resources in homeland security. The report by the council reveals that precision brought by the risk calculations has triggered increased prioritization of the nation’s federal, state, and local resources through targeted and concerted efforts that lead to efficiency in combatting homeland security threats. The Department of Homeland Security (2011) also acknowledges that improvements in risk management have significantly improved the utilization of budgets, human resources, and other intelligence measures through coordinated efforts. As a result, the department has sufficient resources to remain prepared for future threats.
Determining which organizations receive grant distribution depends on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formula. The National Research Council (2010) explains that this institution supports diverse programs for upholding United States’ ability to deter artificial and natural risks, including the Transit Security Grant initiative and the Port Security one, among many others. The allocations they receive depend on the calculations informed through risk management and each program’s risk levels. Such an aspect ensures the stakeholders direct funding appropriately to ensure it induces the desired security impacts and advances the overall homeland security objectives.
Homeland security can only become successful through coordinated operations. The risk management approaches outlined by the National Research Council (2010), including risk formula and stakeholder collaboration, underscore the need for a systematic approach while combating dynamic threats. Understanding the threat levels, their manifestations, type of threats, and other metrics equips the response teams with the correct information for strategizing their response. It also ensures that FEMA allocates sufficient resources for the programs and promotes inter-agency reaction to improve efficiency. Such an aspect increases the probability of the homeland security efforts emerging successful against any threat since the operations are seamless and targeted based on the level and type of threat.
The various benefits arising from risk management in homeland security prove this approach is fundamental. Incorporating the risk formula brings precision that informs many other facets of the department, including strategizing response approaches and improving the allocation and distribution of resources among the various departments based on risk levels. It also clarifies the amount of grant allotment for diverse programs and refines the coordination of efforts between different agencies. The department of homeland security’s continued adoption of the risk formula and other risk management tactics has consistently improved its approach to diverse threats. Such an aspect illustrates its success in foiling the many terrorist threat the country faces and effectively addressing natural disasters.
References
Department of Homeland Security. (2011). Risk management fundamentals: Homeland security
risk management doctrine. HYPERLINK "/xlibrary/assets/rma-risk-management-fundamentals.pdf" /xlibrary/assets/rma-risk-management-fundamentals.pdf.
National Research Council. (2010). Review of the Department of Homeland Security’s approach
to risk analysis. National Academies Press.
Essay 2
Homeland SecurityHomeland DefenseMissionsThe mission of homeland security is to defend the United States from all forms of terrorist attacks, including land, air, and seas while providing a safe environment for trade (Congressional Research Service, 2013). The homeland defense mission is to thwart terrorist attacks in the nation by protecting U.S. sovereignty and the domestic population (Congressional Research Service, 2013).Tasks and dutiesThe department takes the lead in the protection of critical infrastructure like highways, buildings, railways, and other utilities
It also protects many other resources fundamental to the stability of the country (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
Ensures the security and safety of all Americans, irrespective of their location.
The department executes all activities related to domestic counterterrorism (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
It dominates in facilitating warnings and intelligence about threats (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
It protects the United States from catastrophic threats (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
It oversees the emergency response and preparedness of the nation.
Homeland defense prioritizes the protection of the United States territories following the President’s directions (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
It also plays a fundamental role in domestic population safety.
Its duties extend to the protection of critical infrastructure.
Contributes to managing natural disasters within the United State’s borders (Congressional Research Service, 2013).
It protects the nation through the enforcement of immigration laws of the country (Congressional Research Service, 2013).ResponsibilitiesHomeland security collaborates with other international bodies and states to advance the safety of Americans and resources.
The department also interacts, coordinates, and partners with the state and other agencies to advance national security efforts
Managing risks. Homeland defense is responsible for coordinating the diverse efforts for securing the United States border, including terminals, waters, and other entry points.
It should also work with other agencies like the homeland defense and local police departments. OperationsThe primary operations of homeland security comprise combating any threats that risk interfering with the peace and security of the United States. Its operation ensures the United States remains safe from terrorism and related instruments. Definition of Homeland Security
The missions, duties, responsibilities, and operations outlined reveal that one can define homeland security as the coordinated efforts of ensuring the United States remains secure from terrorist threats and natural hazards through protecting critical infrastructure, the American people and securing the borders.
Reference
Congressional Research Service. (2013, January 8). Defining homeland security: Analysis and
congressi...