Critical Releases in Homeland Security: October 24, 2018

From the purpose statement: "The National Network of Fusion Centers Final Report (Final Report) documents the findings of the Fusion Center Assessment (Assessment) and poses a list of recommendations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts the Assessment to provide a comprehensive picture of the performance of the National Network of Fusion Centers (National Network), measure the effectiveness of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding, and guide partners to invest in mission areas with the greatest potential benefit to the homeland. The Assessment primarily evaluates fusion centers' adherence to selected performance measures. It also strives to ensure functional consistency across the National Network, regardless of fusion center size, scope, geography, or mission."

"Extreme electromagnetic incidents caused by an intentional electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack or a naturally occurring geomagnetic disturbance (GMD, also referred to as 'space weather') could damage significant portions of the Nation's critical infrastructure, including the electrical grid, communications equipment, water and wastewater systems, and transportation modes. The impacts are likely to cascade, initially compromising one or more critical infrastructure sectors, spilling over into additional sectors, and expanding beyond the initial geographic regions. EMPs are associated with intentional attacks using high-altitude nuclear detonations, specialized conventional munitions, or non-nuclear directed energy devices. Effects vary in scale from highly local to regional to continental, depending upon the specific characteristics of the weapon and the attack profile. High-altitude electromagnetic pulse attacks (HEMP) using nuclear weapons are of most concern because they may permanently damage or disable large sections of the national electric grid and other critical infrastructure control systems. [...] For these reasons, the potential severity of both the direct and indirect impacts of an EMP or GMD incident compels our national attention. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been actively analyzing the risk of the EMP-GMD problem set since its inception. The Strategy for Protecting and Preparing the Homeland Against Threats of Electromagnetic Pulse and Geomagnetic Disturbances (hereafter referred to as the 'DHS Strategy') represents the Department's first articulation of a holistic, long-term, partnership-based approach to confronting this challenge."

"The House Homeland Security Committee has been tracking terrorist activity linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) since the group's formation. This report was produced by the Committee's Majority Staff and is intended to capture the scope of ISIS external operations against Western countries, including the United States, as well as other terrorist incidents inspired by the group. It provides a high-level examination of ISIS-linked plots and attacks targeting Western countries along with a summary of each incident. At the end of July, ISIS has been tied to at least 243 terrorist plots or attacks against the West since 2014."