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Detecting Target Data in Network Traffic
From the thesis abstract: "Data exfiltration over a network poses a threat to confidential information. Due to the possibility of malicious insiders, this threat is especially difficult to mitigate. Our goal is to contribute to the development of a method to detect exfiltration of m any targeted files without incurring the full cost of reassembling flows. One strategy for accomplishing this would be to implement an approximate matching scheme that attempts to determine whether a file is being transmitted over the network by analyzing the quantity of payload data that matches fragments of the targeted file. Our work establishes the basic feasibility of such an approach by matching Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) payloads of traffic containing exfiltrated data against a database of MD5 [message-digest algorithm] hashes, each representing a fragment of our target data. We tested against a database of 415 million fragment hashes, where the length of the fragments was chosen to be smaller than the payload size expected for most common Maximum Transmission Units (MTUs), and we simulated exfiltration by sending a sample of our targeted data across the network along with other non-target files representing 'noise.' We demonstrate that under these conditions, we are able to detect the targeted content with a recall of 98.3% and precision of 99.1%."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Haycraft, Aaron
2017-03
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Multipath Transport for Virtual Private Networks
"Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are designed to use the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to establish secure communication tunnels over public Internet. Multipath TCP (MPTCP) extends TCP to allow data to be delivered over multiple network paths simultaneously. This thesis first builds a testbed and investigates the potential of using MPTCP tunnels to increase the goodput of VPN communications and support seamless mobility. Based on the empirical results and an analysis of the MPTCP design in Linux kernels, we further introduce a full-multipath kernel, implementing a basic Multipath UDP (MPUDP) protocol into an existing Linux MPTCP kernel. We demonstrate the MPUDP protocol provides performance improvements over single path UDP tunnels and in some cases MPTCP tunnels. The MPUDP kernel should be further developed to include more efficient scheduling algorithms and path managers to allow better performance and mobility benefits seen with MPTCP."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lukaszewski, Daniel
2017-03
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Political Economy of Drugs and Insurgency: The Case of Punjab
From the thesis abstract: "Punjab is a strategically and economically important state for India. It shares a border with both Pakistan, a historical rival, and with the state of Kashmir, which is at the center of India's conflict with Pakistan. Punjab is also the breadbasket of India and provides a number of recruits for the military, both of which are essential for food and physical security for an economically rising country. In the 1980s, Punjab experienced a decade-long violent insurgency caused by grievances arising from the unequal distribution of benefits from the Green Revolution. The state's economy has been in decline for the past decade, which, along with a rise in drug use and trade, represents grounds for a crisis that threatens its postinsurgency stability. The unaddressed drug epidemic allows the emerging drug-crime-terror nexus to thrive. However, national and state-level elites and politicians continue to use identity as a mobilization tool for engaging with the population, mirroring the setting that led to the previous insurgency. Specifically, this research provides an insight into the growing possibility of instability in Punjab. This research derives implications for stability in a border state with porous borders experiencing increased drug use."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Pal, Rajan
2017-03
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Homeland Security in Absentia: Policing Miami in the Era of the New U.S.-Cuba Relationship
From the thesis abstract: "In 2015, the Obama administration made historic changes to the U.S. and Cuban relationship. The renewal of diplomatic relations marked a departure from the isolation policies of the past half century. While the changes between the United States and Cuba might be of limited importance to the average American, in Miami this news plays out in major headlines. Miami is the adoptive home of the Cuban- American community, with an estimated one million residents of Cuban descent living in the south Florida area. This thesis answers the question: Which modifications should the Miami Police Department make to adapt to the local changes resulting directly from the shift in the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Cuba? The research analyses the short- and long-term impact of the renewed relations on Miami. The case studies described three models of police cooperation across national borders: the China and Taiwan accords, the New York Police Department's International Liaison Program, and the El Paso--Ciudad Juárez sister city agreement. These models can serve as templates for the Miami Police Department to develop a working relationship with the Cuban National Revolutionary Police."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Morales, Manuel A.
2017-03
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Blind Data Attack on BGP Routers
From the Thesis Abstract: "Transport Communication Protocol (TCP) implementations may not properly implement blind attack protection, leaving long-standing connections, such as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) sessions, vulnerable to exploitation. This thesis aims to understand the efficacy of a blind data attack on BGP sessions. This thesis examines BGP, the protocols BGP relies on, and the effectiveness of safeguards against BGP blind attacks. A series of blind attack tests are performed against various production BGP implementations to determine how dangerous and feasible a blind attack is on BGP routing information integrity. Blind data attacks can inject and temporarily propagate erroneous routing information; however, on the routers tested, the complexity required to brute force connection-specific values makes blind data attacks difficult. Also, there is a high probability that a blind data attack will desynchronize a BGP session without modifying routing information. Protective measures are available that could further safeguard BGP sessions, but older router images may not implement some of the most vital protections recommended today. Organizations responsible for routing infrastructure and network security must carefully weigh the risk of not implementing more strict protection measures should a discovered vulnerability reduce attack complexity."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Catudal, Joseph W.
2017-03
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Motivating Language and Empathic Leadership Drives Aircraft Readiness
From the thesis abstract: "The Marine Corps is concerned with aircraft readiness, retention levels and aircraft mishaps. High quality connection, unit support and organizational justice are traits structured within Marine aviation logistics. Miscommunication, however, continues to delay responsiveness. This thesis explores qualitative measurements and develops a proposed theoretical framework to study factors that might better predict readiness. The thesis also presents possible quantitative metrics of readiness within Marine aviation logistics as well as measures of effective communication and relationships. Motivating language theory provides the general framework to explore the omission of service levels. Data elements within the Aviation Maintenance and Supply Readiness Report and Individual Training Standards System aim to provide measurements of readiness. This thesis further proposes a Marine Air Group survey that explores the long-term benefits of motivating language and empathic leadership on readiness. Ultimately, this thesis proposes that the positive influence of motivating language and the mediation of empathic leadership increase unit and individual readiness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Aionaaka, Nickolas H.
2017-03
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Evaluation of Factors on the Patterns of Ship Movement and Predictability of Future Ship Location in the Gulf of Mexico
From the thesis abstract: "In this thesis, we examine techniques used to predict future ship movement using historical Automatic Identification System (AIS) data in the Gulf of Mexico from April 2014. We process the data to remove outliers and identify 'subtracks,' which are associated with trips made by a vessel between two points. A cluster analysis is then used to determine the extent to which subtrack routes segregate into groups in an area without well-defined shipping lanes. Although clustering structure does exist, it is not strong enough to support prediction modeling in line with other published work. We also examine the effects of weather and sea-state on deviations of a vessel's traveled route from the shortest (great-circle) route. Vessels vary substantially in how closely they adhere to a great-circle route. Head winds also contribute positively to these deviations. This result suggests that algorithms designed to predict the motion of vessels should take weather and sea-state into account."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bay, Sophia M.
2017-03
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From Third-Degree to Third-Generation Interrogation Methodologies: Putting Science into the Art of Criminal Interviewing
From the thesis abstract: "The interviewing strategies of the American law-enforcement system are more than seventy-five years old. Psychologically manipulative and guilt-presumptive, these methodologies replaced the brutal 'third-degree' interrogation tactics of the previous century, but have recently come under scrutiny for being both ethically and operationally unsound. These findings have prompted a paradigm shift toward more ethical, effective, and scientifically validated tactics. This thesis set out to explore the advantages of integrating next-generation practices into the interview-training ethos of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)--the internal affairs component of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An evaluation of evidence-based interrogation practices and governmental policy analyses, along with insight from subject-matter experts, provided the data for this exploration. A series of recommendations derived from the lessons learned of the U.K. PEACE model, the practices of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and research by the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group offered insight for the optimal training of interviewing techniques and their long-term retention in the field. Assuming the recommendations for OPR are both scalable and replicable, this model should be relevant and valuable for the professional practices of other DHS agencies responsible for conducting interrogations as well as for law-enforcement agencies nationwide."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
O'Neill, Desmond S.
2017-03
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Embracing the Devil: An Analysis of the Formal Adoption of Red Teaming in the Security Planning for Major Events
From the thesis abstract: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) takes the lead or a significant supporting security role in many of the nation's most celebrated events across the country. Major events that receive the official designation of a national special security event and those rated Level 1 on the DHS special event rating scale share the same subcommittee planning structure. This thesis focuses on the potential vulnerabilities and gaps in the planning process due to groupthink and other organizational and individual decision-making pitfalls. This thesis then reviews what, if any, potential improvements can be made to the process with the formal adoption of a red team component. This thesis examines the potential benefits of incorporating red team techniques, such as simulation exercises, vulnerability probes, and analytical analysis into major-event security planning. Research indicates that their effectiveness varied on the organizational leadership, team composition, and independence afforded these teams in the performance of their assignment. The process of red teaming is vulnerable to being marginalized without proper organizational support. Armed with this knowledge, this thesis proposes two recommendations for the formal adoption of red team techniques into the subcommittee process of major-event security planning."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Landry, Thomas Owen
2017-03
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Race to Force the Issue: A Use-of-Force Doctrine in Policing
From the thesis abstract: "In response to public outrage over police use of force, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) dedicated its Critical Issues Seminars to discussing use-of-force reform. From the seminars, PERF produced 30 guiding principles, which included best-practice policy recommendations that called for agencies to adopt standards that went higher than the Graham v. Connor standard of reasonableness in the eyes of the officer involved. The focus of this thesis was to study what the effect of going beyond current legal standards might have on use-of-force incidents in practice and in the public perception. It also looked to find whether the policy principles put forward could make policing safer for officers and the public they serve. The research showed there was serious debate over the applicability and understanding of PERF's policies. Experts felt the PERF policies should not be adopted as stand-alone policies and further context was required. PERF failed to define the problem it was attempting to solve and only created more confusion with its policy recommendations; no change to law or policy will make policing safer. This thesis recommends that law enforcement, anti-police advocates, and politicians work together to bridge the gap that is felt at every angle of the debate."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Avelar, Tracy A.
2017-03
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Homeland Security: There's an App for That
From the thesis abstract: "Situational awareness is essential for first responders to critical incidents. Failure to achieve effective awareness of an event can impede decision making and result in drastic consequences. Limitations on the agility and interoperability of proprietary technology and current communications devices prevent effective situational awareness from being achieved and shared. Off-the-shelf mobile applications provide a unique opportunity for this objective to be accomplished. The universal acceptance of mobile technology and free or low-cost mobile applications can be used to enhance situational awareness during critical incidents and even enable sharing ad hoc at the event. While the adoption of this technology presents many cost-effective opportunities to its users, it also presents many challenges related to its adoption. Agencies must be made aware of the logistical, cultural, and policy challenges related to off-the-shelf mobile application adoption and address these issues early in order to effectively employ these technologies during critical incidents."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
DeMaise, Christopher Michael
2017-03
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Out From Under the Rock: Improving FDNY Information Sharing
From the thesis abstract: "As highlighted in the 9/11 Commission Report, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) have suffered from a lack of inter-agency communication for many years, which is of particular detriment to the safety of front-line members of the FDNY. This thesis sought to find new solutions to the problem by analyzing the processes and policies driving communications to and within the FDNY and the degree to which they have changed since McKinsey & Company's analysis of the department in 2002. A study of organizational change theories, including Leavitt's Diamond, was used to analyze organizational change issues within the FDNY. Synthesizing these theories with the department's successful and failed change attempts produced a set of tasks to create and implement a new technology in the form of a mobile application called FDNY Mobile. This thesis concluded that improving information sharing between the FDNY and the NYPD is nearly impossible without first analyzing the information-sharing practices of an individual organization. Information sharing between these organizations must be reciprocal. This thesis found that without creating a sense of urgency and managerial support, FDNY Mobile will end in failure. Moreover, the FDNY needs to strengthen its own information-sharing practices before a more detailed focus is made on inter-agency information sharing with the NYPD."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Russo, Joseph
2017-03
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Westerner Radicalization: Rethinking the Psychology of Terrorism
From the thesis abstract: "The U.S. strategy to counter violent extremism relies heavily on the expert consensus that terrorists are engaging in political 'group speak' and are by nature psychologically 'normal.' Thus, anyone is susceptible to radicalization. To counter radicalization, finding answers is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, in the psychologically similar phenomenon of arson by firefighter--when a firefighter deliberately sets and then extinguishes a fire to appear heroic--the needle was found in an objective detailed analysis of offenders. This thesis takes the known root causes of arson by firefighter and applies them to the unknown root causes of Westerner radicalization. The small percentage of firefighters who commit this type of arson do so to establish an identity and sense of belonging. Similarly, disconnected Westerners radicalize to pursue a narrative of belonging and significance. This thesis argues that while captured and former terrorists may appear 'normal' and motivated by grievances, the reality may not be that simple; the human mind is not a light switch that flips evenly between normal and abnormal. The consensus view on countering violent extremism, which dismisses psychoanalytical or psychological approaches, must be reevaluated."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Pierson, Vernon
2017-03
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Domestic Embedded Reporter Program: Saving Lives and Securing Tactical Operations
From the thesis abstract: "Advances in technology have provided journalists the tools to obtain and share real-time information during domestic-terrorist and mass-shooting incidents. This real-time information-sharing compromises the safety of first responders, victims, and reporters. Real-time sharing of tactical operations, including the positioning of law enforcement, firefighters, and their equipment, impacts the security and effectiveness of emergency responders in mitigating the public threat. The Department of Defense (DOD) fought a similar battle with members of the media more than a decade ago with the creation of its embedded reporter program. This thesis explores the following question: Can first response agencies and journalists in the United States adopt an embedded journalist program for domestic terrorist or mass-shooting events? The research reviewed the DOD's embedded reporter program and explored potential modifications for use within the United States. The thesis finds that although it is possible to create a collaborative embedded reporter program for use within the United States, it may be more feasible to adopt portions of the program such as placing an embargo on all tactical operations, creating a formal media training program, and implementing media credentials."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Trost, Michelle
2017-03
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Ideological Radicalization: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Why Youth in Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas are More Likely to Become Radicalized
From the thesis abstract: "The number of disconnected youth, those ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and are not employed, has reached significant levels in the United States and Western Europe. This trend is coupled with the fact that more and more foreign fighters are joining Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. In particular, Western youth have been the target of radicalization by ISIS and other terrorist groups, and the appeal and lure of such groups seem unlikely to subside. A similar trend is also evident among youth in Muslim countries where the number of foreign fighters to terrorist groups seems unlikely to decrease. According to recent estimates, over 28,000 foreign fighters have joined ISIS in Syria and Iraq since 2011. The fact that so many youth have been radicalized to join terrorist groups is a cause for concern that requires closer scrutiny, understanding, and action by Western and other governments. The explanations and motivations as to why youth join terrorist groups abound; these include lack of education, poverty, religion discrimination, family background, and political and economic marginalization, among others. This research seeks to answer the question, are the youth in the United States, who are disconnected, more likely to become radicalized to terrorism? To answer this, various theoretical frameworks were researched and examined, such as relative deprivation, social movement theory, and psychological perspectives, to shed light on understanding this issue."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Abrahams, John A.
2017-03
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Lawful Hacking: Toward a Middle Ground Solution to the Going Dark Problem
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the ongoing debate between law enforcement and the intelligence communities on one side, and the technology industry and privacy rights groups on the other, over the 'going dark' problem. Going dark is a phenomenon created by ubiquitous use of end-to-end encryption over communication devices and Internet platforms, rendering those communications warrant-proof. End-to-end encryption means that only the sender and receiver of the message can read it, and no one in between. Even with a properly executed warrant or subpoena, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are unable to access the data they need because that data was encrypted. This thesis explores the historical, political and legislative developments that contributed to the rise of encryption in recent years, as well as constitutional doctrines that may be relevant to the public debate over possible policy solutions. Through the policy options analysis method, this thesis identifies lawful hacking as a middle-ground solution that policymakers should adopt in the short term. It also recommends that the U.S. government initiate a public education campaign to gain public support for some form of regulation concerning encryption in the future. The fundamental issue here is not only about the tension between privacy and security. The issue is also about who should make decisions with broad implications for the collective security: elected officials or the technology industry."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Nguyen, Hoaithi Y.T.
2017-03
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Deterring Violent Extremism in America by Utilizing Good Counter Radicalization Practices from Abroad: A Policy Perspective
From the thesis abstract: "The problem of violent extremism is approaching a critical point in America. American government and community leaders must find an effective approach to deterring violent extremism immediately. A national and comprehensive approach to deter violent extremism in America is currently lacking. This comparative policy perspective seeks to determine whether the United Kingdom and Australia have good practices to deter violent extremism that can be useful in America. Secondly, this thesis also seeks to determine whether the United States can implement potential good practices to deter violent extremism. After a thorough review of the issue of violent extremism in America, this thesis studies similar background, research, and violent extremism issues in the United Kingdom and Australia. This thesis concludes that a variety of good practices in the United Kingdom and Australia can counter radicalize and deter violent extremists in America. The findings and recommendations from this research include challenges and a way forward to implement certain potential best practices for the United States. The arguments offer viable options and alternatives that the United States should consider when creating a national deterring-violent-extremism strategy. The details and information regarding understanding and implementing good practices to deter violent extremism in America are contained in this thesis."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bonanno, Amy Fires
2017-03
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Unstoppable? The Gap Between Public Safety and Traffic Safety in the Age of the Driverless Car
From the thesis abstract: "Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are already driving on some of the nation's streets and highways. AV technology is advancing quickly, and regulatory environments and market demands will result in its rapid diffusion throughout society. AVs are likely to dramatically reduce traffic collisions and motorist injuries, as long as those motorists become passengers only, not drivers, thus eliminating human error as a traffic safety hazard. With the traffic safety benefits of the AV, there will be little need for the traffic enforcement conducted by police and highway patrol agencies across the country today. Yet traffic stops are the most common form of face-to-face contact between police officers and citizens, and traffic enforcement has been a form of crime detection, deterrence and disruption in this country since the dawn of the automobile. This research examines the future of law enforcement in the age of the driverless automobile. It recommends that police and homeland security agencies engage with AV technology today so that they can innovate with that technology and find public safety substitutes for the traffic stop in a future where cars are unstoppable."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wolfe, Aristotle
2017-03
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Adaptive Standard Operating Procedures for Complex Disasters
From the thesis abstract: "Standard operating procedures (SOPs) guide emergency responders in a crisis, providing predetermined steps to manage anticipated events. Modern disasters, however, often manifest as complex systems--susceptible to nonlinear interactions and feedback in the environment that produce unanticipated outcomes. As a consequence, the application of prediction-dependent SOPs to such prediction-defiant scenarios yields ineffective emergency management. In contrast, case studies suggest that crisis responses demonstrating adaptable behavior often succeed in a complex environment. If adaptability mitigates complex problems, then modern crisis SOPs should embrace an adaptive approach. This thesis proposes two practical, executable means of integrating adaptability into SOP-driven crisis response. Both options rely on current research in complex adaptive systems theory and a pragmatic application of the Socratic method. The first proposal is the incorporation of 'adaptability prompts' into preexisting crisis SOPs. These prompts are instructional steps that help emergency responders identify unanticipated behavior during complex events and adjust their crisis response plans accordingly. The second proposal recommends the creation of a 'crisis co-pilot', an ad hoc advisor who helps the lead emergency responder identify any divergence from predicted behavior and encourages adaptation in the field. To support these policy recommendations, this thesis also presents a computer simulation of air traffic controller responses during the 9/11 attacks, quantifying hypothetical improvements in response times attained by implementing the adaptive design proposals. Today's emergency response paradigm must acclimate to the unpredictable nature of complex environments. This thesis recommends operational modifications that promote adaptability to manage complex crises."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Harwood, Shawn M.
2017-03
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Team of Advisors: The Social Science of Advice in Homeland and National Security
From the thesis abstract: "Homeland security and national security events of the 21st century require a fresh look at an important and often ignored facet of leadership that can be simply referred to as advice. Public leaders at all levels of government face increasing demands to make good decisions under the pressure and urgency of crisis circumstances. Advisors can provide the necessary guidance and support for executive decision makers. This thesis examines the relationship between advisors who support executive decision makers in the homeland security enterprise and national security domain, and the factors that influence effectiveness in the advice process. First, this thesis examines the viewpoints of current academic social science research. Second, a case study methodology is used to explore the experiences of practitioners who serve as both executive decision makers and advisors. Finally, the case-study analysis incorporates contemporary social science research to produce recommendations that can assist both public leaders and advisors in understanding the factors that lead to effectiveness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Berger, Theodore D.
2017-03
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Next Generation 9-1-1: Policy Implications of Incident Related Imagery on the Public Safety Answering Point
From the thesis abstract: "Fully implemented, Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) will dramatically change the way in which 9-1-1 calls are processed in the United States. While the NG9-1-1 initiative is expected to introduce a variety of new features and functionality to the public safety answering point, this thesis examines the operational impact of a single capability of the program. That capability, hereafter referred to as Incident Related Imagery (IRI), will allow 9-1-1 callers to send still images, pre-recorded video, and streaming media directly to a 9-1-1 telecommunicator via a variety of mediums. The study analyzes existing 9-1-1 operational practices; provides a baseline understanding of the Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative, and makes the case for preparation and early adoption of the technology. Further, it explores how the viewing of graphic or objectionable material by 9-1-1 personnel likely exposes these professionals to greater levels of stress and vicarious trauma, and analyzes the importance of stress mitigation and treatment methods prior to and following IRI exposure. Finally, this thesis investigates existing communications center hiring and training practices, and evaluates their effectiveness in a post-NG9-1-1 setting."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
DeMar, D. Jeremy
2017-03
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Challenges to Gender Integration in the Career Fire Services: A Comparative Case Study of Men in Nursing
From the thesis abstract: "Many career fire departments in the United States are struggling to promote greater workplace diversity. In particular, the successful recruitment and retention of women in the fire service remains elusive. The challenges to gender integration are rooted in both organizational and societal constructs. This thesis explores the challenges to gender integration in career fire services by conducting a comparative case study of men in nursing. Research is based in academic and historical accounts, in addition to the use of participant-observation methodology. This thesis uses the subcategories of entitlement, belonging, pride, indoctrination, and tradition to analyze the challenges to gender integration in the workplace. It starts with an overview of fire service culture. This overview is followed by a detailed analysis of women in fire service and men in nursing. Finally, the thesis compares the elements within each subcategory to identify the impact of various impediments to promoting recruitment and retention in gendered workspaces. The thesis concludes that the successful integration of women into the fire services will remain a slow process based on societal and organizational impediments, including some factors irrelevant of gender."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schermerhorn-Collins, Anna L.
2017-03
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Ferguson Effect - Are Police Anxieties to Blame?
From the thesis abstract: "The 'Ferguson Effect' is a relatively recent and controversial theory suggesting law enforcement officers across the country have become less proactive in their policing efforts following the August 2014 officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. This thesis attempts to settle the Ferguson Effect debate by determining whether open-source data about police productivity can be collected and analyzed either to support or contradict the Ferguson Effect. Publicly available data repositories through the Public Safety Open Data Portal, Public Data Initiative, and related governmental links are utilized for raw dataset acquisition. Three agencies are chosen for data collection and analysis: (1) the Burlington Police Department, Burlington, Vermont, (2) the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland, and (3) the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In each case study, the data is insufficient to confirm or deny the existence of the Ferguson Effect, although the limited data available does suggest that in these three cities, no noticeable de-policing is detected following the killing of Michael Brown. The conclusion of the study yields several limitations. The most evident deficiency identified in this study involves the transparency initiative and Open Government program, specifically with regard to the Public Data Initiative (PDI) and gathering of police-related data. The PDI needs to establish stricter guidelines and compliance for participating agencies. Additionally, this thesis suggests that less emphasis should be placed on crime correlations and more value placed on de-policing and anxieties being experienced by officers to measure accurately the existence of a Ferguson Effect."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simonds, Stephen Edward, Jr.
2017-03
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Forgotten Disaster Victim: Reducing Responder Injury
From the thesis abstract: "First responders, including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical service workers, and disaster clean-up teams, are often the forgotten victims of disaster response and recovery, suffering higher injury and illness rates than other population groups. Hampered by limited data collection from past disasters and few existing disaster response injury studies, this thesis examined disaster response case studies to illuminate responder injury and illness issues. Recommendations to reduce injuries and improve responder safety include better training before a disaster, proper use of personnel protective equipment, and strict enforcement of existing policies, rules, and laws at the scene of a disaster."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wright, Anthony James
2017-03
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Keeping Survivors Alive: Security and Humanitarian Aid Operations During Natural-Disaster Response in Conflicts
From the thesis abstract: "When a disaster occurs during a conflict, the security concerns and need for humanitarian aid can increase; survivors need both, but often the government needs to choose which takes precedence and humanitarian aid can fall by the wayside. This thesis examines the impacts of political and military hindrances in conflicts between armed groups and governments on the Red Cross Movement's humanitarian aid delivery during disaster response following the declaration of the war on terror. This thesis is in two parts. The first part establishes the environment in which the Red Cross Movement operates and the attitude toward humanitarian aid in conflict. The second part analyzes the disaster response in three cases, along with the security issues that led to restrictive environments for humanitarian aid and underserved populations. In addition, this thesis includes two historical case studies to provide a comparison between response before and after the war on terror."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jubela, Joleen
2017-03
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Unaccompanied Children: Discourse Considerations and Policy Outcomes
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the public discourse related to the 2014 increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the United States' southwest border to determine the effect, if any, public discourse has had on immigration policy outcomes. In the summer of 2014, the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the nation's border increased. Also that year, the countries of origin of the children changed from those of previous years; more children from Central America were arriving. The increase drew national attention from media and politicians. This thesis describes the public discourse in mass media by systematically examining newspaper articles published in the summer of 2014. It then compares themes in the discourse with immigration policy outcomes to determine if the discourse impacted policy. The researcher concludes it can be difficult to determine if public policy is impacted by, or merely reflects, public discourse. However, for one immigration policy outcome, the postponement of executive action on immigration reform, negative public reaction to the increase in unaccompanied children did impact an immigration policy outcome. The thesis findings advance the knowledge of public discourse about unaccompanied children and the role of public discourse in policy outcomes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Byrne, Marie Louise
2017-03
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Bridging the Gap: To What Extent Do Socioeconomic Barriers Impede Response to Emerging Public Health Threats?
From the thesis abstract: "It is crucial for public health emergency planners and responders to realize and account for socioeconomic barriers and the challenges they pose when faced with a bioterrorism, infectious disease, or other emerging public health threat impacting the homeland. The study design of this research incorporated two particular paradigms, investigative and predictive. The researcher found that social and economic factors account for nearly 40 percent of health outcomes in the United States. Public health and its response partners need to plan for emergencies using a '60/40' lens. He discovered that at least 40 percent of populations may not receive the critical health care they require in emergencies because of socioeconomic status or related factors. This thesis investigated the language, culture and historical trauma barriers--and affiliated challenges, such as fear and distrust--that exist throughout the country. Given these findings, this thesis provides both policy- and strategy-level recommendations to assist public health and healthcare practitioners in their efforts to 'bridge the gap' that exists within and between community populations in the United States. Disciplines that consider implementing these recommendations will help minimize significant, and perhaps avoidable, consequences that follow health-related emergencies or varied disasters impacting the homeland."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Neuert, Donald L.
2017-03
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Cultural Intelligence: A Pathway for Emergency Responder Engagement with Ethnically Diverse Communities
From the thesis abstract: "The development of emergency responders' cultural breadth is critical to adapting to shifting societal composition, since emergency responders operate within culturally diverse environments and must effectively perform their duties. Addressing the challenge of entrenched cultural norms of emergency responders is imperative for effective and sustainable engagement. This thesis proposes using a cultural intelligence framework to assist emergency responders in this effort. Cultural intelligence tools may allow emergency responders to work more effectively in culturally diverse environments, directly improve relationships between government institutions and the community, and provide the medium for the growth of trust. This paper introduces a cultural intelligence model used in international business, as developed by Soon Ang, Linn Van Dyne, and other notable researchers. This model may be adapted for the emergency response community. This thesis includes an outline for the development of a cultural intelligence unit with the mission to develop emergency responders' cultural breadth, engage with key ethnic minority community stakeholders, and provide information pertinent to the diverse composition of the Los Angeles County Operational Area. Furthermore, this model is designed for ease in adapting to ethnically diverse communities nationally."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Forman, Frank W.
2017-03
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Framework for Violence: Clarifying the Role of Motivation in Lone-Actor Terrorism
From the Thesis Abstract: "A major goal of the homeland security enterprise is to prevent terrorism in the United States. Federal, state, and local agencies have responded to this challenge with a number of initiatives that have prevented another large-scale network attack since 9/11. Yet terrorism perpetrated by a lone individual, not in direct communication with a larger terrorist network, continues to occur on a regular basis in the United States. Rather than considering lone-actor terrorism a subset of networked terrorism, this thesis considers lone-actor terrorism as a subset of other grievance-fueled violence such as mass murders and workplace violence. Comparing the motivations of the perpetrators using a case study method, this thesis considers the complexities of addressing the key trait of motivation that separates lone-actor terrorism from other forms of lone violence. As a result of this analysis, five key observations--leading to five policy implications--are postulated to provide clarity to the issue of lone-actor terrorism in pursuance of improving prevention methods."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hallgarth, Jacob G.
2017-03
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People's War on the East Sea: is Vietnam's Theory of War Still Applicable
From the thesis abstract: "People's War Theory cannot be executed on water in a contemporary operating environment. The VPA [Vietnamese People's Army] did not efficiently operationalize people's war theory or an all-peoples defense during the Cambodian occupation nor are they in the struggle for sovereignty in the East Sea. Vietnam must move towards an integrated theory of war and a complementary operational doctrine. The next evolution in people's war theory must aggregate elements from theories that focus on joint, maritime, and amphibious elements of warfare. Vietnam will not achieve its policy aims with its current military strategy, because its theory of war does not enable strategic leverage for asymmetric potential on the East Sea.'"
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. School of Advanced Military Studies
Corbin, Chad D.
2017-02-14
