Cybersecurity Section Provides Substantial Homela
Select any one of the 5 mission areas within the DHS Strategic Plan (2014-2018). Conduct analysis of ALL the mission area performance measures and select one mission area and report your deductions. Are the measures useful, logical, relevant? Are any of them odd or unusual? Why or why not? Be critical.
Reading Material:
DHS Strategic Plan FY2014-2018: https://www.hsdl.org/c/dhs-releases-the-fiscal-years-2014-2018-strategic-plan/
Instructions: Fully utilize the materials that have been provided to you in order to support your
response. Please respond to at least two other students and provide substantive comments
that contribute something new and important to the discussion. 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.
250-300 words for post 100-150 for student responses
Student # 1 Sean Kennon
For this weeks discussion we were to select one of the 5 mission areas in the Department of Homeland Security’s Strategic Plan (2014-2018). I decided to discuss mission number 1, Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security. Within this mission we focus on the goals of preventing terrorist attacks; preventing and protecting against the unauthorized acquisition or use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and capabilities; and reducing risk to the Nation’s most critical infrastructure, key leaders, and events (DHS, 2014, p. 14).
Within this mission, there are submissions. These submissions are, prevent terrorist travel into the U.S., Strengthen aviation security, prevent the hostile use of nuclear materials against the homeland, and protect key leaders, facilities, and National Special Security Events. All of these sub missions are critical when it comes to preventing terrorism and enhancing the security of the homeland. They seem to hit all of the key components to reducing the risk of a terrorist attack in the U.S. It covers strategies to prevent weapons of mass destruction (WMD’s), homegrown violent extremist (HVE’s), deterring and disrupting terrorist operations, and how to strengthen the overall transportation security. One of the major things that this mission highlights is that the responsibility does not solely fall onto the DHS. They share the responsibility with other federals agencies including the Department of State (DOS), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). It doesn’t fall directly on federal agencies either, it is also the responsibility of state, local, and tribal partners. This is why communication is so important at all levels of government.
The area I would like to highlight would be counter violent extremists in the U.S. I felt that this section was relatively short for the strong risk that these HVE’s bring to the table. They support the community base problem solving and education individuals on how to protect themselves and their communities. This is good to have this support and to cover these areas but I feel there needs to be more education at the frontline level on how to identify these individuals and for communities. If you can teach communities warning signs and potential patterns that these individuals have, maybe they get a jump on these individuals before something happens. Fusions centers come into play heavy here as well, but they are not mentioned. This was something else that I felt needed to be expanded on. Overall the mission hits all the key components of preventing terrorism and enhancing security, but there can always be ways to better these strategies.
-Sean
Department of Homeland Security. (2014). FiscalYears 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. Retrieved on 23 July 2020 From: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/FY14-18%20Strategic%20Plan.PDF
Student # 2 Miguel
Conduct analysis of ALL the mission area performance measures and select one mission area and report your deductions. Are the measures useful, logical, relevant? Are any of them odd or unusual? Why or why not?
Cybersecurity plays a significant role as the fourth of the agency’s six key missions. The four main objectives are: First, Strengthen the Security and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure against Cyber Attacks and Other Hazards. Secondly, Secure the Federal Civilian Government Information Technology Enterprise. Third, Advance Cyber Law Enforcement, Incident Response, and Reporting Capabilities. Lastly, Strengthen the Cyber Ecosystem. (DHS, 2015)
I’ve brought this topic up in a previous class how much of a pervasive threat on the economy, national security a cyber attack can be on the nation’s infrastructure. The technological change and cyber threat from state and non-state actor that continue to alter social, economic, and political forces allow for the rapid dissemination of information and provide new means for adversaries to challenge the United States. Th DHS also came up with the national cybersecurity center which essentially coordinates information about situational awareness across a federal cyber security operation. The Cybersecurity section provides substantial policy guidance related to national cyber risk governance and management. It helps to develop departmental policy position and negotiate these positions within the interagency. It helps to redefine roles and responsibilities for the various informed, vigilant public that plays a key role in helping to secure our country against new and evolving threat. DHS also helps develop and issue cyber security advisors and best practices to federal agencies. Mainly to ensure that they are aware of the threats and vulnerabilities of the matter.
Most of the measures were very useful and logical if the data is accurate on the subject. The reports of performance measures and other techniques are used to accurately evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the strategy’s, products and planning. Essentially this is where data can get to be inaccurate or manipulated to inflate data seized. So, information has to be put in accurately so performance measures can be accurate.
DHS. (2014). Fiscal Years 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. Retrieved from:
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default /files/publications/FY14-18%20Strategic%20Plan.PDF