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Preventing Stress Disorders for Law Enforcement Officers Exposed to Disturbing Media
From the thesis abstract: "The law enforcement officer's job is both physically and mentally challenging. In an instant, officers can be thrown into extremely stressful situations. Officers and intelligence analysts continually view disturbing images during their time in the unit--some must watch child pornography, and others prison torture, as part of their daily duties. This thesis explores how law enforcement departments can prevent secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) among officers. Although limited in part by the police culture, the research examined several currently utilized programs that teach coping mechanisms, including SHIFT [Supporting Heroes In mental health Foundation Training], peer support officer programs, and critical incident stress management. The research also examined approaches being utilized by the military to treat returning soldiers suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and service dogs. Further research should be conducted to discover law enforcement programs that proactively treat the mental health and wellness of all their officers--not only those exposed to disturbing media."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Murphy, Matthew G.
2016-09
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TB Anywhere is TB Everywhere: The Intersection of U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policy and TB
From the thesis abstract: "Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant health issue to both the general public and the officers who enforce our nation's immigration laws. Current immigration enforcement policies increase the likelihood that immigration officers will encounter people with TB. Should the United States alter its immigration enforcement policies to address more directly the threat that tuberculosis poses to public health? This thesis reviews this question through the lens of the Advisory Council on Tuberculosis's recommendation that the priority is to identify and treat all cases of active TB. This thesis provides a policy options analysis examining the status quo and three options suggested in the literature on TB: cure TB before removal, increase international cooperation in treating TB, and increase TB testing. This policy analysis identifies gaps in the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to identify and treat active TB in the aliens encountered through the immigration enforcement process. Additionally, it recommends that the DHS require that all detained aliens be screened for active TB by use of a chest X-ray. It further recommends that the DHS completely cure all aliens found to have active TB, whether detained or released from detention, prior to their removal from the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Little, Reed David
2016-09
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Your Criminal FICO Score
From the thesis abstract: "One of the more contentious uses of big data analytics in homeland security is predictive policing, which harnesses big data to allocate police resources, decrease crime, and increase public safety. While predictive analytics has long been in use to forecast human behavior, the framework has not proved to be a flawless undertaking. In an effort to improve outcomes of predictive policing, this thesis assesses two high-profile programs--the nation's most popular credit-scoring system [FICO/Fair Isaac Company] and a federal flight-risk program--to determine the greatest pitfalls inherent to programs using predictive analytics. The programs are assessed using what is commonly known in big data as the four Vs-- volume, velocity, variety, veracity--but with an added component of the author's creation: verification. Through this framework, it became apparent that the hardest Vs for any predictive policing program to fulfill are veracity and verification. As the field of predictive policing expands, programs face the challenge of ensuring that data used for analysis is accurate and remains accurate, and that the metrics used to verify risk assessments are sound."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tonelli, Michelle
2016-09
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Developing a Shared Service Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Capability for Regional Emergency Services
From the thesis abstract: "At the scenes of emergencies across the nation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have proven their worth to rescue crews; however, this expensive asset is not necessarily a tool that every emergency service would use routinely. This research explored three shared service models, determined their best attributes, and then applied those characteristics to the development of a regional UAV asset that would avoid duplication of resources. The study addressed relevant issues including assumption of risk and liability, public privacy concerns, and federal legislation. Findings led to the following recommendations in the creation of a regional UAV asset: 1) conduct a response evaluation to support a shared service UAV; 2) organize the asset under local government nonprofit oversight; 3) take advantage of grant funding for initial asset purchase; 4) define sustainable funding for maintenance and repair; 5) investigate further revenue generation, housing at least one asset within a large organization; 6) research applicable state law for managing risk; 7) develop privacy and organizational policy consistent with community standards; and 8) define the roles and responsibilities of the organization and the administration."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Lakamp, Thomas Charles
2016-09
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Creating a Learning Organization for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement to Combat Violent Extremism
From the thesis abstract: "This is a proof-of-concept project for an online law enforcement learning organization dedicated to combating violent extremism (CVE), specifically, counter-radicalization techniques to be implemented by state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Although there are many different forms of violent extremism, examples in this paper reflect those threats from Islamic violent extremism. Even so, this proposed law enforcement learning organization model could be used to facilitate countermeasures against all forms of violent extremism. The paper proposes utilizing an asynchronous online discussion format for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to enter into dialogue about counter radicalization as well as to provide resources for law enforcement training cadre and command staff. This learning model concept will augment current CVE counter-radicalization strategies in the United States, allowing for greater dialogue, information, and idea sharing. Additionally, two curriculum options are presented to augment the learning organization concept. The project's foundation is within the online asynchronous discussion and related instructional design body of research."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Powell, John Eric
2016-09
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Cybersecurity: Utilizing Fusion Centers to Protect State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Entities Against Cyber Threats
From the Abstract: "Many areas of the cyber domain of American citizens are under attack: critical infrastructure, electrical grids, banks, businesses, government, and personally identifiable information (identity theft, medical records, child exploitation, etc.). Although the focus of recent cybersecurity legislation has provided additional authorities to federal agencies, a key concern for state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) government entities is this: What is the best way to protect computer networks at the state and local level? State and local governments have the responsibility to protect dams, freeway systems, power and water plants, emergency communications, personal identifiable information, health care records, educational institutions, and banking systems. The array of responsibilities and the cybersecurity threat landscape make state- and local-level computer networks fertile ground for the cyber adversary. This research focuses on the threat to SLTT computer networks and how to leverage information-sharing initiatives, cybersecurity policies and state and local fusion centers to prevent, mitigate, and deter cyber threats targeted at SLTT computer networks."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Flynn, Payton A., Sr.
2016-09
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Beyond Sister City Agreements: Thesis Series: Exploring the Challenges to Full International Interoperability [video]
From the Video Description: "Communities on the international border are often interconnected by more than simple proximity. They are connected through social networks, economy, culture, and shared natural resources. Despite this interdependent relationship, and in spite of international agreements that support mutual aid between countries, crossing the border with emergency resources, even for a humanitarian purpose, can be problematic. In this Viewpoints video, Calvin Shanks, Senior Director of Safety Services at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso , discusses his CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] Master's thesis which examined existing agreements on both the northern and southern U.S. borders to determine how various regions address their cross-border agreements. Research indicated that unique challenges-such as liability concerns, local politics, and border violence-along the Mexican border must be addressed. By examining the fuller context, this thesis recommends that local entities examine their specific challenges to establishing fully interoperable agreements. Local interoperability agreements just might move us beyond 'sister city agreements' and put us on the path toward functional international partnerships." The duration of the video is 16 minutes and 24 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Shanks, Calvin D.
2016-07-21
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San Francisco Bay Area Earthquake Plan [video]
From the description on the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) website: "CHDS has supported FEMA and Cal OES [Office of Emergency Services] in the development of a video outlining the recently-released 2016 Bay Area Earthquake Plan. This short film is a visual introduction to the updated San Francisco Bay Area Catastrophic Earthquake Plan, which combines the talent, expertise and input from dozens of partners drawn from across the Whole Community to prepare for and recover from a major earthquake." The video is 5 minutes and 41 seconds in length.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2016-07-19
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Social Network Analysis: An Introduction [Self-Study Course]
This self-study course was developed by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense and Security, in conjunction with the NPS CORE (Common Operational Research Environment) Lab. "This course is an introduction to social network analysis, what it is, what it isn't, and why it's important. This five module series will provide an overview of social network analysis, how it differs from standard approaches, and what some of the misconceptions are. We will also look at some of the basic terms and concepts, and consider the various assumptions that underlie social network analysis."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2016-06
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Deterrence Impact Modeling Environment (DIME) Proof-Of-Concept Test Evaluations and Findings
"The exploding use of social media and digital monitoring presents the Coast Guard with a crucial new domain for mission operations. At the very least, the digital domain is a source of situational awareness for maritime operations. Over time andwith creative engagement, the digital domain offers the Coast Guard potentially powerful tools to intelligently inform policy, strategy and planning decision making across most - even all - mission sets. The study explores the Data Driven Decision Making Cycle metaphorical concepts of a Digital Ocean and a pilot project as means to contextually define the exploding data streams associated with the emergence of the socio-technological domain and a means for engaging this domain. The study shows how a pilot project institutionalizes a Coast Guard capability to build tools (mobile applications) that: identify data escapes where digital pheromones are being produced; capture them; identify trends and patterns; and produce a mechanism that allows decision makers to visualize and decide where, when and how to intervene, as well as visualize the results of that intervention. The Data Driven Decision-Making cycle is developed to provide the pilot project with an information management framework that supports decision-making at all levels by: [1] Identifying emerging patterns of strategic importance; [2] Routing relevant information among tactical decision support tools; [3] Supporting continuous improvement of operational capabilities."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; United States. Coast Guard; United States. Department of Homeland Security
Palin, Philip J.; Nieto-Gomez, Rodrigo; Day, Jamison . . .
2016-06
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Port Security Grant Program: Good Enough, or Can It Be Made Better
From the thesis abstract: "For almost a decade and a half since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Port Security Grant Program [PSGP] has provided funding to project proposals for improving the security and resiliency posture of the nation's ports and waterways. The United States has over 360 coastal and inland ports through which over $1.3 trillion in cargo moves annually; a safe, secure, and efficient MTS [Marine Transportation System] is critical to national security. The PSGP is intended to enhance port security and resiliency by funding proposals to provide increased risk management, measures to mitigate disruptions and facilitate port recovery, and maritime domain awareness (MDA) capabilities to prevent, respond to, and recover from attacks. The PSGP has matured to include funding for all-hazards threatening the ports-natural, accidental, and intentional. This thesis seeks to evaluate how well the PSGP has met those goals and if it should be improved, reorganized or eliminated."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Arnett, Paul D. J.
2016-06
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Granting Concessions and Paying Ransoms to Terrorists: A Policy Options Analysis of the U.S. Policy on Hostage Recovery
From the thesis abstract: "Nations around the world, including the United States, have been battling terrorist hostage-takings by instituting 'no-concessions' policies. The hope is that denying terrorists their demands will remove all incentives for hostage-taking, thereby eliminating its practice. However, since this policy has been in existence, research has shown that hostage-takings have increased. Considering the recent, highly publicized beheadings of hostages held by the Islamic State, is there a better policy option, such as one that protects U.S. citizens who are being held hostage? To answer this question, this thesis conducted a policy options analysis. Criteria were developed from the literature, and the current U.S. policy was compared to two other policy options. The research found that current U.S. policy does not effectively achieve its goals and, as such, does not offer the best protection to U.S. citizens. As a result, the thesis concluded that the United States would be better served by removing the no-concessions rule and focusing on a policy that punishes terrorists who participate in hostage-taking."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hyatt, Rodney
2016-06
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Getting the Message Across: An Analysis of Foodborne Outbreak Communications Between Federal, State, and Local Health Agencies
From the thesis abstract: "To assure coordination of emergency response across multiple areas of responsibility, clear methods of communication between public health agencies need to be defined before responding to foodborne outbreaks. Such capacity is essential to assure the United States can satisfy its goal of achieving an Integrated Food Safety System, as mandated under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act. With this in mind, a comparative analysis was conducted of 21 states' general operating procedures to ascertain lines and modes of communication related to foodborne outbreaks, evaluate for procedural commonalities and best practices, identify potential barriers to effective communication, and make recommendations to enhance multi-directional coordinated information exchanges among health agencies. The analysis identified that while all states included recognize the value of a prompt response in disease identification, investigation and control, coordinated communication strategies within and between affected public health agencies is less robust. Many protocols are vague in establishing parameters for what information can be shared with other agencies, and under which circumstances. A multitude of electronic portals exist for collaborative purposes; however, these resources are not centralized. Recommendations for systemic improvement include expanding the current food protection rapid-response teams to all 50 states, assuring that formalized inter- and intra-agency communication plans exist in every outbreak response protocol, assuring the Incident Command System is explicitly stipulated in every regulatory outbreak response plan, and establishing funding opportunities for county and local health agencies related to communication training and system enhancements for collaborations in the midst of an outbreak."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Samarya-Timm, Michele
2016-06
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Facilitating the Medical Response into an Active Shooter Hot Zone
From the thesis abstract: "The response to active shooter attacks is not as effective as it could be. People die before receiving care because most jurisdictions have a policy in place that stipulates emergency medical services (EMS) wait to enter a scene until law enforcement (LE) announces that the scene is clear or secure. Since this can take some time, life-saving care is not immediately available to the people who most need it, and consequently, there can be a greater loss of life. How can a combined LE and EMS response, based on combat medical care, be effective in saving lives during an active shooter incident? Utilizing 10 historic active shooter cases ranging from the Texas tower shooting in 1966 and concluding with the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012, I analyzed the responses to consider the response times of the responders, time of access to the victims, and transport time to medical facilities. The basis for the responses utilized data collected by the U.S. military from combat injuries sustained from World War II through the current conflicts in the Middle East. From these analyses, I am able to show that fast field intervention based on training, policy, and operational planning with the Incident Command System component, which includes both law enforcement and fire/EMS entry teams, will provide better patient viability prior to hospital care. This will not be a critique of right and wrong, as the responders did what was needed at the time; however, in current-day hindsight, there are points that can be noted for future response growth."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tierney, Martin T.
2016-06
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: The Ethical Imperative of Reason: How Anti-Intellectualism, Denialism, and Apathy Threaten National Security [video]
From the Video Description: "This thesis explores the roots and manifestations of anti-intellectualism, denialism and apathy. Philosophical in its design, this research explores the following question: What are the potential effects of cultural anti-intellectualism on the construction and execution of national security and homeland security policy? Specifically, it focuses on how anti-intellectualism can affect how a course of action is created, presented, messaged, supported, and executed. The thesis amasses a review of previous research on the nature and manifestations of this issue and offers an account of the prospective implications for the securities field. Utilizing a case study model, this research explores three examples to highlight the manifestation of this current problem. The findings indicate that anti-intellectualism impacts the highest levels of the political, media, and security processes and, as such, requires practitioners to acknowledge and address its influence. This thesis concludes by arguing that widespread ignorance of objective reality poses a threat to the democratic process. It provides three overarching strategies designed to limit the impact of anti-intellectualism in the policy process and demonstrates that, in the intricate and dynamic matters of our nation's security, there is an ethical imperative for 'reason' and factual discussion to rule the policy process. Greggory Favre is a Captain, Special Operations & Strategic Planning, with the St. Louis Fire Department." The duration of the video is 14 minutes and 38 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Favre, Greggory J.
2016-05-26
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Saving the Savable: Using Bystanders to Increase Survival From Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest in NYC [video]
From the Video Description: "Every year in America, thousands of people needlessly die following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Because first responders in New York City (NYC) have difficulty arriving soon enough, cardiac arrest survival rates lag significantly behind jurisdictions around the country. One successful approach used elsewhere to increase OHCA survival rates is encouraging bystanders to perform CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] prior to first responders' arrival. Regarding bystanders as the 'first' first responders requires a shift in thinking as well as an understanding of the modern bystander. In this Viewpoints video, Frank Leeb, Battalion Chief for the Fire Department City of New York, discusses his Master's thesis, which examines the people, policies, and technology that are available--some of them already tested in other jurisdictions--and presents specific recommendations for NYC. Bridging the gap from the time a person stops breathing until the arrival of first responders may not be as difficult as it seems." The duration of this video is 13 minutes and 37 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792238]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Leeb, Frank A.
2016-05-09
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: A Different Shade of Blue: An Evaluation of the Civilian Detective Concept and Its Impact on Police Capabilities [video]
From the Video Description: "Financial distress and shrinking police candidate pools have diminished cities' abilities to protect the public. In this Viewpoints video, David Green, Lieutenant for the San Bernardino Police Department, discusses his CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] Master's thesis, which examines the manner in which cities have adapted by using civilians to perform the duties of sworn detectives. Specifically, he looks at whether this practice enhances cities' contributions to public safety. Nine law enforcement organizations across the country that applied this policy were analyzed. It focused on cost implications, impacts on investigative and emergency response capabilities, job qualifications, training standards, scope of duties, and overall efficacy. Similar themes include the ability of cities to reduce costs and to achieve equivalent work output from civilian personnel. Dissimilar themes surrounded the reasons cities adopted the policy and how they trained the personnel. From the analysis, this thesis determined that the use of civilian personnel does enhance cities' contributions to public safety. This thesis also identified a need for a uniform national framework for policy adoption and for state peace officer accrediting commissions to develop guidelines for training and certification." The duration of this video is 15 minutes and 20 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792224]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Green, David B.
2016-05-03
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Flight Plight: An Examination of Contemporary Humanitarian Immigration from Honduras, Cuba and Syria to the United States with Considerations for National Security [video]
From the Video Description: "CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] graduate Catherine Ventura, Immigration Officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, received the March 2016 award for Outstanding Thesis. In this Viewpoints video, she discusses her work, which examines contemporary U.S. immigration for humanitarian populations from Honduras, Cuba, and Syria. Humanitarian immigration refers to refugees, asylum-seekers, and those who are forcibly displaced from their homelands. The study explores how the United States can balance its identity as a nation of immigrants with its increasing security concerns within forced migrant populations. The research describes various philosophies of and motives for migration and the United States' role as an international destination for refugees. The study also provides a comprehensive review of all U.S. humanitarian immigration programs available to forced migrants from Honduras, Cuba, and Syria. These unique reviews, or case studies, are introduced with descriptions of each country's social, political, and historical context for migration and feature fictional scenarios in which immigrant families interact directly with country conditions and the U.S. humanitarian immigration programs available to them. Finally, the thesis reviews national security concerns presented by humanitarian immigration programs and explains how national priorities and legislative remedies can temper public fear." The duration of the video is 8 minutes and 21 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792233]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Ventura, Catherine Schroeck
2016-05-02
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Suicide in the Fire Service: Saving the Lives of Firefighters [video]
From the Video Description: "Steve Heitman, Fire Chief of the Mercer Island WA Fire Department, talks about his CHDS [Center for Homeland Defense and Security] Master's thesis research, looking at whether Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and firefighter suicide are on the rise in the U.S. fire service and how fire chiefs can implement programs to curb PTSD-related firefighter suicide. The research was limited, however, by imprecise statistics on PTSD and suicide in the fire service, caused in part by the firefighter culture. To work toward a proactive solution, this research examined current, effective mental health programs that can be utilized in-house by fire departments, including Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Psychological First Aid, and Stress First Aid. Research on professional mental health focused on therapies used by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including psychotherapy, medication, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Through a critical review of available programs, this thesis identifies best practices for collecting accurate firefighter suicide data, and suggests development of a tiered approach to decrease PTSD and firefighter suicide. A limitation of the research was the inability to verify results of a firefighter being 'cured' of PTSD." The duration of the video is 13 minutes and 37 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Heitman, Steven C.
2016-05-02
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Ultra-Marathoners of Human Smuggling: How to Combat the Dark Networks that Can Move Terrorists Over American Land Borders
"National legislation requires America's homeland security agencies to disrupt transnational human smuggling organizations capable of transporting terrorist travelers to all U.S. borders. Federal agencies have responded with programs targeting extreme-distance human smuggling networks that transport higher-risk immigrants known as special interest aliens (SIAs) from some 35 'countries of interest' in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia where terrorist organizations operate. Yet ineffectiveness and episodic targeting are indicated, in part by continued migration from those countries to the U.S. southwestern border since 9/11. Should an attack linked to SIA smuggling networks occur, homeland security leaders likely will be required to improve counter-SIA interdiction, or do so preemptively. With a better understanding of how SIA smuggling networks persist in foreign geopolitical eco-systems, despite U.S. disruption efforts to date, could their most vulnerable fail points be identified for better intervention targeting? This essay presents the key findings of a systematic analysis of U.S. court records about SIA smuggling, as derived from 19 known prosecutions and a variety of other data between 2001 and 2015. It will discuss suggested leverage points and conclude with a list of strategy options for a more effective disruption campaign against them."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bensman, Todd
2016-05
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Fortress Problem
"Fortresses do not usually fail well. When they rely on robustness or complication, positions of strength are only tolerant of stress up to a defined point or of a certain character. For a fortification that fails to adapt, centralization--even of strength--presents a surprising liability. Fortresses concentrate risk. This paper considers the way in which uncertain and unthinkable events undermine security practices that presume a greater degree of knowledge, uniformity, and control than is available. When facing worst cases and ambiguous threats, current security doctrine, theory, and practice promise more than they can deliver. Threat and catastrophe highlight a mismatch between reality and approach. Threat may be defined as official danger--governmental certification of possibility. Catastrophe implies rupture and exhaustion of capacity. Two problematic tendencies dominate the security response to threat and catastrophe: applying risk management when the information necessary to support such calculation is not available, and boundless precaution. In the first case the homeland security enterprise lives with a false assumption that it controls the risk; in the second it has little measure of success and surrenders decisions to threat politics. This paper suggests that security agencies need to renovate their fortresses, favoring adaptability over robustness in the face of threat and catastrophe."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Anderson, Jack
2016-05
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Opportunities in Crisis and Catastrophe: The Issue-Attention Cycle and Political Reality
"Emerging problems often surprise lawmakers and agency officials and result in rapid, reactive governance. The political attention an issue does receive may or may not be sufficient to resolve the emergent problem, and in many cases may be an overreactive auto-response dictated by public opinion and issue salience. This study examines the emergence of congressional attention post-crisis; demonstrates that black swans, wicked problems, and complex domestic and social issues each trigger episodic attention differently; and finally, establishes a multi-dimensional model of emerging crises, laying the bedrock to define new theoretical models of episodic attention in Congress."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kimrey, Christopher M.
2016-05
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Applying the Economic, Homeland and National Security Analysis Framework
"In 'Security and Prosperity: Reexamining the Relationship between Economic, Homeland and National Security' I used an analytical framework to identify key components of the Economic, Homeland and National Security relationship, explore their connection in the literature and the real world, and then identify the impact of 'metamorphic forces' that further shaped the relationship. This analysis refines the analytical (EHN) framework into seven components (Elements, Outside Forces, Complex Systems, Outcomes, Analysis, Reimagination, and Transformation), summarizes its initial application, and tests the validity of its application to another homeland security issue."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Karimi, Bijan P.
2016-05
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Questioning the Criticality of Critical Infrastructure: A Case Study Analysis
"The Department of Homeland Security holds the statutory mission to protect the nation's critical infrastructure which is composed of nationally significant systems and assets. The loss of this infrastructure would result in debilitating consequences to the safety and security of the United States. Based on a meta-analysis of government policies, the current critical infrastructure protection efforts may be misdirected even though it is the cornerstone mission of the department to prevent terrorism and enhance security. Even when a facility is destroyed, the consequences may be more complex than a blanket mission of protecting all facilities against all threats and hazards can address. These findings can justify reducing the scope of the current infrastructure protection mission by assuming a greater level of resilience within complex systems and adopting a risk-based methodology for evaluating only the infrastructure that would cause debilitating impacts on the safety and security of the nation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Riedman, David
2016-05
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What is NORAD's Role in Military Cyber Attack Warning?
"For more than fifty years, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been responsible for conducting aerospace warning and control missions for the defense of North America. In accomplishing those operations, Commander NORAD is responsible for making the official warning to both the president of the United States and the prime minister of Canada if North America is suddenly under aerospace attack. Now, with the dramatic increase in worldwide cyberspace events, NORAD has begun examining its own potential role within this new domain. Would involving NORAD in the military cyber attack warning process, leveraging its unique and proven binational structure, provide any advantages to both nations? To analyze this question, this essay traces NORAD's warning mission history, discusses the basic concepts involved with 'cyber attacks,' identifies key U.S. and Canadian military cyber organizations, and examines significant U.S. and Canadian cyberspace government policies. It then proposes three potential new courses of action for NORAD, identifying advantages, disadvantages, and proposed solutions to implementation. The essay ends by recommending that NORAD advocate for unrestricted cyberspace national event conference participation. This would be a realistic, achievable first step offering significant improvement in both NORAD's cyber attack situational awareness, as well as improving overall operational responsiveness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
DeGering, Randall R.
2016-05
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Armed to Learn: Aiming at California K-12 School Gun Policy [video]
From the Video Description: "Although the idea of a school shooting strikes fear in the hearts of school administrators, school employees, and parents, there is no agreement on whether arming employees is a sound strategy to counter this threat. There is a wide gap in viewpoints between gun control advocates who want tighter gun control and constitutionalists who believe as strongly in the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Whether or not to implement a weapons policy is an issue every school superintendent or school authority may need to face sooner or later. In this Viewpoints video, Catherine Jones, Director of Risk Management Services for the Kern County CA Superintendent of Schools Office, discusses her Master's thesis, entitled, 'Armed to Learn: Aiming at California K-12 School Gun Policy.' This research does not seek to answer the question of whether school districts should arm their employees, but rather it seeks to provide a framework for each educational agency to explore, contemplate, and determine its course of action based upon risk management principles that take into account the values, goals, and capabilities of the community in which the policy would apply. Possible outcomes include the policy options of MoreGuns (allow teachers to be armed), BanGuns (no one is armed), or SomeGuns (trained security or law enforcement can be armed but not teachers). This research is intended to stand as a resource for stakeholders, such as legislators, parents, and employees, to equip them to engage in the policy debate and to empower their participation in making informed decisions about school district weapons policy." The duration of this video is 8 minutes and 36 seconds. The complete thesis can be accessed at the following web address: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=792225].
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jones, Catherine Wilson
2016-04-25
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Team of Advisors: The Social Science of Advice in Homeland and National Security [video]
From the Video Description: "The establishment of the homeland security enterprise within the United States created new challenges for executive decision makers at the federal, state and local levels of government. In the second decade of the 21st century, matters of homeland security and national security seemingly grow closer to one another, as transnational threats abroad increasingly influence events at home. Executive decision makers at all levels of government face significant challenges, often under the pressures and constraints of crisis conditions. Public leaders need not face significant decisions alone and in a vacuum, devoid of subject matter expertise and guidance. The role of advisors in supporting public leaders is broad and underexplored, particularly in the evolving homeland security space. In this Viewpoints video, Theodore Berger, Chief of Staff for the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, discusses his Master's thesis, which examined the relationship between advisors who support executive decision-makers in the homeland security enterprise and national security domain and the factors that influence the advice process. This thesis seeks to tie the experiences of high ranking practitioners with the viewpoints of academics in social science to derive a better understanding of what leads to success as an advisor." The duration of the video is 6 minutes and 6 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Berger, Theodore D.
2016-04-21
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: Thesis Series: Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Emergency Management [video]
From the Video Description: "Responding to disasters is a critical function for first responders and the emergency management community. The primary mission when responding to disasters is saving lives, which often requires the use of multiple resources. Rotary and fixed-winged aircraft have traditionally performed disaster response missions, such as overhead damage assessments, reconnaissance, and missing person searches. However, with the advancement of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), there is an opportunity to perform many conventional aerial missions in a safer, more expeditious, and cost effective manner. In this Viewpoints video, Darren Price, Regional Operations Supervisor for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, discusses his Master's thesis, which explores the introduction of UASs for disaster response missions into the national airspace system of the United States. His thesis also includes a review of traditional disaster response missions and opportunities for the utilization of UASs; a comparison of UAS programs, both military and civilian, as well as international UAS programs; a review of barriers to implementation; offers policy and program considerations for agencies and jurisdictions to consider when implementing a UAS program; and recommends future research concerning the topic of autonomous UASs. Lastly, his thesis provides a decision guide to assist policy makers and practitioners with determining the need and feasibility of a UAS program." The duration of the video is 7 minutes and 26 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Price, Darren E.
2016-04-19
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: The Ever-Evolving Security Landscape at the Transportation Security Administration [video]
From the Video Description: "The TSA is undergoing fundamental changes designed to provide a simple, safe, and efficient means or transporting people, goods and services. Paul Fujimura, Assistant Administrator for Global Strategies, Transportation Security Administration talks about how these changes are being developed and instituted." The duration of this video is 13 minutes and 25 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
2016-03-05
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Viewpoints in Homeland Defense and Security: The Adversarial Playground: Adversaries Manipulate Media Technology to Their Advantage [video]
From the Video Description: "ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] has honed and evolved its propaganda skills and continues to push out very effective messaging to its prospective recruits, in many cases radicalizing groups and individuals. Which approaches should be taken in finding the right strategy to counter their hateful and violent disinformation? In this interview, Kathleen Kiernan has assembled a panel of subject matter experts on media production who discuss various approaches towards counter-messaging the messenger." The duration of the video is 19 minutes and 48 seconds.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Kiernan, Kathleen
2016-03-04
