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Enacting Policy and Solutions to the Modern-Day Slavery Problem of Forced Labor and Domestic Servitude in Monterey County
From the Thesis Abstract: "For the last several years, the United States has been the number-one destination for inward migration--both legal and illegal. Persons with undocumented immigration status are at a high risk of being targeted by traffickers and forced into modern-day slavery. Of the more than 550 cases of human trafficking reported by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2001, nearly half were from the four most populous states--California, Florida, Texas, and New York--which foster a welcoming environment for immigrants. Within California, Monterey County's labor and industrial profile, with a strong demand for agricultural laborers and hospitality industry service employees, suggests it is at high risk for trafficking. However, the low number of arrests and prosecutions to date indicates that the current level of human trafficking prevention in Monterey County might not be commensurate with its risk. Using the UN's internationally recognized 4Ps anti-trafficking framework, this thesis assesses Monterey County's risk factors for human trafficking and its current approach to combating human trafficking, concluding that there remain many areas in which significant improvement is needed. It then proposes anti-trafficking recommendations for Monterey County reached through investigating approaches used in other areas, including Florida and Texas, with similar socioeconomic indicators."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Craig, Kimbley
2019-06
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When 9-1-1 is Not Enough: Transitioning the 9-1-1 Center into a Multi-Channel Emergency Communications Center
From the Thesis Abstract: "Disasters, terrorist attacks, and network outages have demonstrated the limitations of the 9-1-1 system. Emergency communications centers that remain focused on 9-1-1 as the singular emergency reporting channel fall short of providing a comprehensive emergency response solution in their communities. A change is required to adapt to the modern means of communications, such as text and picture messaging, livestream video, crowdsourcing, apps, sensors, and social media. This thesis reports on the actions taken to transition an emergency communications center into a multi-channel environment capable of building resiliency, and provides supplemental reporting channels, creates situational awareness, and builds more efficient workflows. Using business model generation and lean strategy methodology, this thesis provides a model for implementation strategies and proposes a bottom-up approach to meet individual community needs. This thesis recommends a pathway to shift the culture and strategy in carrying out the mission of emergency communications and responding to requests for emergency services."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Potts, Michelle R.
2019-06
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Fiat Currency, from Wallet to Museum: Accelerating the Inevitable in the Name of Homeland Security
From the Thesis Abstract: "This research examined what influence large-denomination currency has on the financial networks of terror and criminal groups. This thesis analyzed how the removal of the $50 and $100 bills would affect these illicit groups. A historical review identified the use and effectiveness of large-denomination currency in the context of social acceptance and its place in the modern global financial payment system. This thesis employed a comparative policy analysis to examine alternatives to cash as an effort to combat the illicit world of finance. Recommendations include that the U.S. government reevaluate its obligation with respect to large-denomination circulating currencies, and develop alternate financial frameworks that incorporate the restriction or discontinuation of the $50 and $100 notes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Swangler, Michael J.
2019-06
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Female Genital Mutilation: A Different Kind of Terrorism
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis demonstrates that in addition to constituting a human rights violation, female genital mutilation can also function as a form of terrorism against women and girls. Much like a terrorist act, female genital mutilation is carried out to influence the attitudes and behavior of a wider target audience. Specifically, female genital mutilation is a violent act that perpetuates society's control over women and influences gender inequality. A basic assessment of female genital mutilation against the core characteristics of terrorism reveals that, in many instances, all the elements commonly accepted by scholars who define terrorism are found within female genital mutilation. By demonstrating how female genital mutilation can function as a terrorist act, this thesis offers another category for experts to explore in the evolution of the phenomenon known as terrorism: gender-based terrorism."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Krebs, Kristie L.
2019-06
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Reflecting Pool Podcast: Information Laundering [audio]
From the Webpage: "How is it that fringe stories and counterfeit narratives get traction, enter mainstream media, and are accepted as fact? Intelligence expert Samantha Korta (Masters 1605/1606 aka 1611) studied information laundering to discover how propagandists take advantage of the interconnectedness of the Internet as well as online technologies such as computational propaganda, echo chambers, and advertising to cheat the internet ecosystem and rapidly spread influential but illegitimate content to undermine the credibility and authority of legitimate sources. These intentional and harmful falsehoods spread in the virtual world can influence public discourse and manifest physically inciting violence, creating division, eroding trust, facilitating foreign influence during democratic elections, and even contributing to the rise in deadly but preventable diseases." This audio has a running time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Karimi, Bijan P.
2019-05-07
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Homeland Security Affairs: Volume XV
From the webpage description: "The May 2019 Issue of Homeland Security Affairs features an essay which examines shortcomings in FEMA's ability to manage civil defense and wartime defense mobilization missions which could seriously hinder the ability of the U.S. to prevail in a great power war and a research article which proposes an insurance-based system for promoting more corporate[.]"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2019-05
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Incentivizing Cyber Security Investment in the Power Sector Using an Extended Cyber Insurance Framework
From the Abstract: "Collaboration between the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and public- sector partners has revealed that a dearth of cyber- incident data combined with the unpredictability of cyber attacks have contributed to a shortfall in first-party cyber insurance protection in the critical infrastructure community. This research explores the foundations of insurance theory and adopts behavioral manipulation methods to incentivize cyber-security investment. We validate the model by applying power industry performance data from 2013-2015 to assess risk facing the industry. Results show that the model can successfully discriminate between individual power companies as well as geographic regions on the basis of risk and can recommend cyber risk- management strategies tailored to individual risk profiles. The adoption of this framework could invite more market participation, which will create a more robust cyber- incident reporting environment, contributing directly to the DHS goal of creating a national cyber- incident data repository."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Rosson, Jack; Rice, Mason; Lopez, Juan Jr. . . .
2019-05
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How FEMA Could Lose America's Next Great War
From the Abstract: "The United States lacks a comprehensive strategy and supporting programs to support and defend the population of the United States during times of war and to mobilize, sustain and expand its defense industrial base while under attack from a peer or near- peer adversary. These legacy programs were disbanded and broken up over 25 years ago, and without a reinvestment in these activities by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), America risks losing its next great war. FEMA is currently responsible for advising the President on the coordination, mobilization, and sustainment of the U.S. industrial and manpower base in times of war, and to protect and assist in the recovery of its population from enemy attacks. Developing a framework based around Civil Defense, the mobilization and sustainment of the nation's manpower and defense industrial base, protecting and sustaining its morale and political institutions, and support to the Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to deploy forces overseas while contested domestically by its adversaries, may provide a way to shape future preparedness efforts and a taxonomy to organize them. This nation's failure to do so may end its next great war before it even begins."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lucie, H. Quinton
2019-05
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Punching Above Their Weight: The Homeland Security Contributions of the U.S. Pacific Territories
From the Thesis Abstract: "While the United States' Pacific territories were brought into the U.S. fold in recognition of their importance to national security, today many Americans--including many policy makers--seem to be unfamiliar with the U.S. Pacific territories and their strategic value. This thesis addresses the question, 'What is the value of the United States' Pacific territories--Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa--to the nation's homeland security, and what are the strategic implications of that value?' Secondary sources such as congressional testimony, military doctrine and unclassified plans, and governmental reports were analyzed to answer that question, using the framework of the DIME (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic) instruments of national power to assess the overlap of homeland security missions with national security interests. While the territories contribute to the nation's security, the lack of coordinated and informed management by the federal government to these territories, including homeland security missions that have at times been at odds with U.S. military interests, prevents a full realization of their potential. Recommendations are made for reexamination of legal, process, and funding approaches to the U.S. Pacific territories by the federal government, including homeland security agencies."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Stanton, Colby E.
2019-03
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U.S. Security Clearances: Reducing the Security Clearance Backlog While Preserving Information Security
From the Thesis Abstract: "From 2014-2018, the U.S. federal government security clearance backlog increased from 190,000 investigations to 710,000 investigations, according to a 2018 Government Accountability Office report. The backlog of security clearance investigations has resulted in investigation timelines that range between 134 and 395 days. The organization that handles 90 percent of the caseload for background investigations, the National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB), has the capability to provide approximately 160,000-180,000 investigations annually. With current staffing structure, the NBIB can handle approximately 25 percent of the security clearance caseload. Changes in policy could be considered to address this critical issue; however, drastic change may be required to adequately address this issue. This thesis recommends a transformational organizational change to the National Background Investigations Bureau to address the backlog of security clearance investigations. A policy change that limits the annual amount of security clearance investigations to the throughput of the NBIB would reduce the backlog of security clearance investigations, increase the quality of investigations, and increase the integrity of national security information without adding to the costs of security clearances."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Berger, Benjamin F.
2019-03
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Framework for National Guard Employment in the Homeland
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis explores the doctrinal divide among homeland defense (HD), homeland security (HS), and defense support to civil authorities (DSCA) and questions whether these doctrinal spaces are adequately instructive to National Guard domestic action. The thesis explores the Department of Defense's (DoD) important contributions to HD and DSCA and the Guard's historical and contemporary roles in HD and HS. This work proposes that the DoD's reticence to describe its actions as HS creates a doctrinal void for the Guard. This thesis advances DSCA as theoretically and practically useful for the DoD but concurrently contravenes core principles of domestic response, which is practically inadequate for domestic Guard action. By exploring military action in large-scale, complex disasters and national special security events, this thesis provides insight into the legal, policy, and fiscal challenges and solutions for clearer domestic doctrine. The thesis explores whether the Guard can be better employed in disasters by adjudicating matters of defense over security and engaging in a federalism conversation aimed at discriminating between disasters that are 'national matters' and those that are 'state matters.'"
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jara, Paul E.
2019-03
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Autonomous Police Vehicles: The Impact on Law Enforcement
From the Thesis Abstract: "The rapid deployment of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology will undoubtedly have a significant impact on public safety services, including law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement can embrace AV technology, with the advent of autonomous police vehicles (APVs). The APV is designed with standard AV technology but is also packaged with complementary technologies, including an integrated unmanned aircraft system (UAS), facial recognition, thermal imaging, automated license plate readers, and gunshot detection systems. The anticipated benefits and unintended consequences of emerging technologies, such as the APV, are not always assessed by law enforcement. Thus, the goal of this thesis was to determine the likely impacts on law enforcement of the deployment of the APV. This thesis examined emerging AV technologies and complementary technologies, and analyzed plausible future scenarios to lend insight to public safety executives on the changing roles, mission, and tasks law enforcement officers may encounter. This thesis determined that the APV benefits to law enforcement, such as improving officer efficiency and officer safety likely outweigh the trepidations. This thesis recommends that law enforcement agencies should find a void to fill when the APV becomes realized. This void may only present itself once the APV is in service and fully functional; thus, law enforcement agencies should be mindful of this possible void in order to pivot for sustained future success."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Gregg, Andrew
2019-03
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Crisis Communication for Law Enforcement: Crafting a Successful Strategy Using Social Media
From the Thesis Abstract: "Law enforcement has begun to embrace social media as a communication tool; but, in most cases, agencies have not created strategies around using social media for crisis communication. This thesis focused on identifying smart practices in crisis communication to determine what a social media crisis communication strategy for law enforcement should look like. The use of force by law enforcement often results in a negative community reaction; this research focused on communication on social media after use of force incidents. An analysis of crisis communication theory and research was conducted. The analysis included situational crisis communication theory, attribution theory, image repair theory, social information processing theory, and social presence theory. An examination was conducted of successful crisis communication strategies used in the private sector, which revealed seven common elements. The commonalities led to the conclusion that law enforcement should establish protocols and create strategies with these elements: conduct regular scenario-based crisis communication training, leverage the young social-media savvy generation that grew up with technology, commonly called 'digital natives,' for social media communications, actively monitor social media, with attention not only to content but also to tone and lexicon, ensure timely communication with the public after use of force incidents, and place priority in messaging on qualities, such as honesty and compassion."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Coonce, Angela G.
2019-03
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Does Theory Matter? Applying Organizational Theory to Develop Effective Local Government Emergency Management Programs
From the Thesis Abstract: "Emergency management has developed into a profession with demands and expertise separate from other professional disciplines in government service. Coordination issues before, during, and after a disaster have continually been a challenge for emergency management. Although the organizational placement of local government emergency management agencies varies extensively across the United States, public administration organizational theory provides a foundation for considerations that inform the design of these bureaucratic structures. Structure influences essential emergency management functions such as interagency coordination, resource allocation, program prioritization, decision making, information flow, and collaboration. Organizational design also significantly affects program characteristics, including culture development, professional identity, and employee engagement--all of which have direct relationships with program effectiveness. This thesis supports the notion that jurisdictions need to carefully consider the organizational placement of their emergency management programs to support effective service delivery. Jurisdictions should ensure that programs are structured in a way that promotes program empowerment, limits hierarchical layers, promotes executive sponsorship, enhances collaboration, and develops an emergency management culture."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Sirney, Jason M.
2019-03
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Fully Autonomous Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices--Mitigating Strategies
From the Thesis Abstract: "The technology integrated into fully autonomous vehicles will soon be a significant homeland security threat. Companies ranging from major corporations to small startups are investing billions of dollars developing this technology. It is currently predicted that fully autonomous vehicles will be available to the general public within a matter of years. As fully autonomous vehicles become broadly available both to the general public and private entities, significant impacts will likely result to our safety, both as individuals and as a community. This thesis overviews the projected threat posed by the nefarious use of fully autonomous vehicles as fully autonomous vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. It is shown how easily autonomous vehicles can be used for explosive delivery and discusses technological solutions that should be implemented, proactively, to reduce this threat. A pressing need exists for secure communications, user authentication, law enforcement override, and payload interrogation that must be implemented at the outset of the system design process. Absent a security-based systems design approach, this nation will be reacting to, rather than preventing, the use of autonomous vehicles as explosive delivery systems. The overarching purpose of this thesis is also to capture what can be accomplished with public-private partnerships working collaboratively to address strategic issues involving public safety in the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Knopf, Kevin S.
2019-03
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Smart Strategies for Effectively Managing Entertainment Districts
From the Thesis Abtract: "Entertainment districts are--and will continue to be--a significant homeland security concern due to the large numbers of people who gather at these locations. Both the June 12, 2016, mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and the October 2, 2017, mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, are tragic and recent examples of the devastation that continues to occur surrounding large gatherings of people. Entertainment districts share many similarities with traditional special events; however, research indicates that successful management of these areas requires a much more robust and comprehensive strategy to effectively maximize safety while maintaining an enjoyable atmosphere. The concept of place management has received significant attention in research regarding managing entertainment districts. This thesis analyzes how the actions of those controlling the businesses have a direct impact on the crime and disorder within a particular location. This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of the related literature and case studies from several active entertainment districts. The goal of this research is to identify and outline a collection of successful smart practices that jurisdictions should consider adopting based on the particular needs and expectations of their communities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Penn, Charles A.
2019-03
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Reducing the Potential Consequences of Nuclear Power Using Small Modular Reactors
From the Thesis Abstract: "In order for commercial nuclear power to remain successful in the United States, several things need to occur: advancement of newer technologies and replacement of aging infrastructure with a new generation of safe reactors that are reliable, adaptable to the environment, cost-effective, and energy efficient to meet the nation's energy demands into the future. To accomplish this, the United States must be able to identify true risk rather than the perceived risk of civilian nuclear power and have solutions to manage it. Risk management includes reducing the U.S. carbon footprint, which is contributing to global warming. The nation also must find a way to close the loop on nuclear waste through reprocessing and recycling. Furthermore, by reducing their size as compared to existing commercial power plant operations, the United States can locate new plants where energy is most needed. Finally, this thesis demonstrates how the potential consequences of a nuclear plant accident can be reduced to acceptable levels through the use of small modular reactors."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Corbin, Scott
2019-03
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You Can't Always Get What You Want: Employee and Organizational Responses to Perceived Workplace Injustices and Their Relationship to Insider Attacks
From the Thesis Abstract: "Insider threats are a 'wicked' problem. This thesis investigates three questions: how do employees respond to perceived workplace injustice, what is the relationship between employee responses to perceived workplace injustices and insider attacks, and how can organizations prevent disgruntled employees from committing attacks? These questions were answered using a thorough literature review and case studies. Employees respond in one, or a combination, of four ways: exit, loyalty, voice, and counterproductive work behaviors, as illustrated by the researcher's grievance response model. The researcher was unable to identify specific employee responses that led to attacks due to a lack of data and multiple, contradictory, and missing narratives. Organizations may be able to prevent employees from committing attacks by applying the grievance response model, ensuring grievance procedures are consistent and transparent, and offering alternative dispute resolution programs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Reed, Tracey
2019-03
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Social Identity Theory and Intergroup Conflict in Israel/Palestine
From the Thesis Abstract: "Intergroup dynamics have been a central vector in long-lasting identity conflicts around the globe. In Israel-Palestine, the conflict has not been reduced to the same level of sustained peace as it has in other countries. The conflicting groups often get involved in increasingly destructive forms of reciprocating violence, which fuels narratives that lead to further cycles of violence. This thesis examines whether social identity theory is a useful framework for understanding this conflict. The thesis finds that both Israeli and Palestinian group behaviors can be better understood using the framework of social identity theory. It finds that both sides view each other through a lens of in- and out-group dynamics that rationalizes moves by the in-group and demonizes actions by the out-group. Israelis see things through the lens of a Westphalian nation-state, and Palestinian groups see themselves as liberation movements. Both sides of this conflict have extensive patronage lines to other nations, react to provocations to restore a sense of lost honor, respond to challenges with escalating levels of violence, and contest the same set of limited goods. The fact that the United States has a history of providing Israel with aid has had negative consequences for the former state with much of the Arab and Muslim communities. Terrorists use this assistance as part of their narratives against the United States. Consequently, the United States may have to rebalance its aid to the region."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Felty, Stephen M.
2019-03
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21st Century Crime: How Malicious Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Homeland Security
From the Thesis Abstract: "Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of research with the potential to radically change society's use of information technology, particularly how personal information will be interconnected and how private lives will be accessible to cybercriminals. Criminals, motivated by profit, are likely to adapt future AI software systems to their operations, further complicating present-day cybercrime investigations. This thesis examines how transnational criminal organizations and cybercriminals may leverage developing AI technology to conduct more sophisticated criminal activities and what steps the homeland security enterprise should take to prepare. Through a future scenario methodology, four scenarios were developed to project how cybercriminals might use AI systems and what should be done now to protect the United States from the malicious use of AI. This thesis recommends that homeland security officials expand outreach initiatives among private industry and academia that are developing AI systems to understand the dual-use implications of emerging AI technology and to provide public security perspectives to AI research entities. Finally, this thesis recommends that federal agencies develop specific initiatives--aligning with existing national cyber and AI strategies--that confront the potential challenge of future, AI-enabled cybercrime."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Peters, Kevin M.
2019-03
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Legal Weed: A Lifesaver?
From the Thesis Abstract: "Marijuana legalization in Colorado has brought with it many changes, affecting economic, social, and criminal elements. According to law enforcement statistics, cannabis legalization has shown a consistent rise in opioid overdose rates throughout the United States; however, recent scholarly research indicates that states that have legalized marijuana experience a noticeable decrease in opioid overdose rate. This thesis uses case study analysis to answer the question: Does marijuana legalization save lives in Colorado? Through a market-based examination of Mexican drug trafficking organizations, conclusions are drawn on the impact of marijuana legalization vis-à-vis the illicit opioid trade. The author reviews the physical and mental effects of cannabis use on the body and conducts a comparison of Uruguay and Colorado legalization. Best practices from the repeal of Prohibition and Uruguay's successes with legalization are extrapolated to recommend changes to Denver's approach to marijuana. Colorado's experience with legalization, when taken in total with suicides, traffic safety reports, opioid overdoses, and other indicators, is a mixed bag: there is no clear evidence that marijuana legalization saves lives at this point in the state's history. More data and more accurate testing are needed before conclusions can be drawn."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schaub, Michael P.
2019-03
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Parity Avoidance: A Proactive Analysis of the Obsolescence of the Third Offset Strategy
From the Thesis Abstract: "Within the Department of Defense, offset strategies are policies of competition that mandate efforts to maintain technological superiority to generate or sustain a strategic advantage over near-peer competitor adversaries. The current strategy, the Third Offset, was implemented in 2014 and directs the development and leveraging of emergent, capabilities-based technologies to defend against the modernized, near-peer competitor nations of Russia and China. This thesis used unclassified resources to summarize the reactiveness of the previous offset strategies, define military supremacy, identify challenges to the Third Offset Strategy, and provide evidence that the current strategy is devalued. It also identified a list of conditions which, if met, render the strategy obsolete, ultimately determining that the Third Offset is, indeed, obsolete in its current form; it is unable to provide a strategic advantage to the United States. Finally, the thesis offers recommendations to the Department of Defense to reinforce the Third Offset Strategy with a goal of restoring its efficacy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wellman, Aaron
2019-03
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Social Media Screening of Homeland Security Job Applicants and the Implications on Free Speech Rights
From the Thesis Abstract: "Social media screening of homeland security job applicants may infringe on their free-speech rights, which diminishes homeland security agencies as defenders of the law and hampers their recruitment efforts. When homeland security employers screen the social media of job applicants, what are the free-speech rights of those applicants, and do existing social-media screening policies support or undermine applicants' free-speech rights? Content analysis of existing case law reveals no established precedent for the free-speech rights of government job applicants. Legal and social science analysis indicates applicants should enjoy the full First Amendment protections of private citizens and not be subject to the same limitations placed on public employees. Publicly available social media screening policies have elements that may chill free speech by encouraging applicants to self-restrict social media activity. Homeland security agencies should be aware that social media screening may impair the free-speech rights of job applicants, notify applicants when they will screen social media profiles, provide clear guidance on what speech is considered disqualifying, and avoid suggesting that social media screening is used to perpetuate the existing agency culture."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Sweeney, Denis
2019-03
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Finding the Path of Least Antibiotic Resistance: An Examination of Agricultural Policies
From the Thesis Abstract: "Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections will remain an extremely serious health-security and economic threat for the United States--and the world--unless steps are taken to curb them. This thesis focuses on antibiotic use in agriculture and potential methods to slow resistance. By examining existing U.S. policies at the national and state level as well as policies in Denmark and the Netherlands, this research finds that the European countries have reduced antibiotic use and decreased resistant organisms present in food animals. This thesis recommends implementing a multifaceted policy package beginning with the creation of an enhanced, more integrated surveillance system, then enacting antibiotic-use reduction targets, prohibiting the use of antibiotics in healthy animals and requiring veterinarians to examine animals before prescribing them antibiotics for disease prevention. The United States must implement more policies that respond to this global threat to preserve medically important antibiotics that protect the health and safety of people and animals. The homeland security enterprise should prioritize antibiotic resistance as a threat and work collaboratively to implement strategies to mitigate it."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Smiley, Stephanie L.
2019-03
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Puerto Rico's Homeland Security Readiness: Redesigning the Island's Power Grid to Improve Its Resiliency
From the Thesis Abstract: "The damage caused by Hurricane Maria to Puerto Rico left this American territory ill-equipped to rebuild--or even maintain--its aging power grid. As reconstruction is in order, this tragedy presents an opportunity to design a more resilient and efficient power grid for Puerto Rico. A sustainable distributed power plan that includes renewable energy, distributed generation, and smart grid technology could be the answer to Puerto Rico's energy problems. This grid could incorporate features that exploit the unique environment of Puerto Rico and include maintenance fees commensurate with the financial abilities of the island. The prospect of a new power grid is not simply a question of opportunity or need; it is part of a homeland security mandate. The exploration of alternative and sustainable power options for Puerto Rico can serve as a test bed for new technology, systems, and protocols that could affect other jurisdictions under similar economic or natural hazard circumstances."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Alicea, Juan E.
2019-03
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U.S. Counterterrorism Narrative: A Way Forward
From the Thesis Abstract: "While there seems to be widespread agreement that the U.S. counterterrorism narrative is failing, there is little empirical evidence for what the U.S. counter-narrative strategy since 9/11 has been, nor is there an analytical framework for measuring its success or failure. This thesis investigates the effectiveness of the U.S. counterterrorism narrative strategy in the post-9/11 period (2001 through 2016), and develops an effective U.S. counterterrorism narrative strategy. Content analysis of 75 U.S. presidential speeches and 50 U.S. Department of State Twitter postings, and a measurement of U.S. performative power between 2001 and 2016, demonstrates that only the narrative speech factor of promoting commonality has a negative correlation with terrorist attacks in the United States. More messages that promote commonality correlates to decreased terrorist attacks. To understand when to use this messaging, the social identity analytical method was applied to a U.S. presidential speech and an Islamic State leader's speech and demonstrates that the U.S. government lacks comprehension of social in-group identification nuances. To target messaging effectively, the framework should be applied on a consistent basis, promoting commonality in narratives within a larger comprehensive counterterrorism strategy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kristoff, Madeline T.
2019-03
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Disruptive Emergent Systems in Disaster Response
From the Thesis Abstract: "The 2017 hurricanes in the southern United States provided an impetus for wider social technology use than during previous disaster responses. Hurricane survivors rapidly turned to social media for help, while physically unaffected social media users crowdsourced emergent crisis mapping systems. Volunteers unaffiliated with first responder organizations conducted rescues based on those systems to form new response systems. These new, disruptive emergent systems displaced, supplemented, or filled gaps in the established, federally managed responses. This research examined disruptive emergent systems and associated effects on disaster responses. A total of thirteen disruptive emergent systems from four hurricane responses were analyzed. This research resulted in a set of eight features and an ontological visualization of disruptive emergent systems. The results show that disruptive emergent systems demonstrated supply responses to survivor demand. That is, these systems emerged through particular capability and organizational mechanism conditions to satisfy survivor demands. Cultural motivations provided the call to action for many of these disruptive emergent systems. These features can be used to understand disruptive emergent systems in the context of future disaster responses."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Thornburg, Kristopher M.
2019-03
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Applying Technology Acceptance Research to Information Systems Implementation in the Fire Service
From the Thesis Abstract: "The role of a firefighter has remained relatively static over the years, but the way a firefighter documents incidents and accesses logs, maps, and a range of forms is changing from paper-based practices to digital media systems. Unsuccessful technology acceptance can negatively affect efficiency and work production. A better understanding of the variables that are most relevant to influencing firefighters' acceptance of technology will help improve the success of the implementation of new ideas. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a model specific to the fire service and to gain a better understanding of the variables that influence technology acceptance in that field. How can technology acceptance research be applied to the fire service to better understand and influence the acceptance of information technology? A review of the literature reveals three relevant variables of technology acceptance in the fire service: self-efficacy, facilitating conditions, and social influence. These variables were tested using two thought experiments including one retrospective scenario and one prospective scenario. The thought experiments further refine the model by revealing that facilitating conditions had a positive relationship with self-efficacy. With a better understanding and leveraging of the variables that affect technology acceptance, fire administrators can improve the likelihood of acceptance."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Steward, John M.
2019-03
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Assessment of the Data on Body-Worn Cameras
From the Thesis Abstract: "Throughout history, citizens' opinions of law enforcement have fluctuated between confidence and mistrust. This ebb and flow can coincide with many factors, such as historical events like 9/11, personal interaction with an officer, and media/social media reporting of the public's encounters with police. A citizen's confidence and trust in law enforcement may also differ based on the person's gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Law enforcement has invested millions of dollars in research, new initiatives, equipment, and technology, such as body-worn cameras (BWCs), to regain the public's confidence and trust. Those who support BWCs suggest that their use corresponds with declining use of force and citizen complaints, which shows increased public trust in law enforcement. This paper seeks to determine, however, if these factors--use of force and citizen complaints--are the proper metrics for measuring law enforcement transparency, accountability, and citizen trust. This thesis provides a comparative analysis of the quantity and quality of BWC information that police departments make easily accessible to the public and provides a recommendation for law enforcement to develop and implement a BWC incident-based reporting system."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Allen, Carole L.
2019-03
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Reflecting Pool Podcast: Unbounded Risk [audio]
"Providing perfect security in an era of unbounded risk is impossible. In my interview with Jack Anderson (Masters 1401), we talk about caribou scapula divination among Canadian nomadic tribes, jazz standards, particle accelerators, black swan events and using photographs of concealed snipers to understand how the dangers homeland security agencies face are increasingly beyond their control. Jack's research shows how the response to such unbounded risks presumes a greater degree of knowledge, uniformity, and control than is available and that national adaptability is more desirable than perfect knowledge when responding to the unknown."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Karimi, Bijan P.
2019-02-07
