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Active Shooters: Is Law Enforcement Ready for a Mumbai Attack?
From the thesis abstract: "Between April 16, 2007, and December 14, 2012, the United States has seen 25 mass shootings, seven of which occurred in 2012. A report by United States Department of Homeland Security, in 2009, suggested that the United States will be the target of a terrorist act that could cause a high number of casualties. The November 26, 2008, attack on Mumbai is a transparent example of how determined terrorists, trained to die fighting, can bring a large metropolitan city to its knees. It is entirely probable that Mumbai-type attacks could occur in the United States. Since the local law enforcement respond to attacks in progress, any active shooter event would be handled by the local jurisdiction. Many law enforcement agencies have begun to incorporate tactical plans to respond to Mumbai-type terrorist attacks. This thesis focused on police preparedness of select large metropolitan law enforcement agencies for potential Mumbai-type terrorist attacks. A comparative analysis of these police agencies was conducted, which showed that the frequency of training was found to be varying and inadequate by these agencies. A similar concern was that none of the agencies had equipped all the police officers with rifles, which were deemed critical to engage well-equipped active shooters. It is the conclusion of the thesis that gaps in preparedness exist and law enforcement organizations have room for improvement. It was also concluded that agencies need to enhance communication capability between neighboring jurisdictions and focus on triage of the victims during the early stages of attacks when medical personnel would be unable to approach."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Justice, Joel M.
2013-09
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Improving the All-Hazards Homeland Security Enterprise Through the Use of an Emergency Management Intelligence Model
From the thesis abstract: "As the all-hazards approach takes hold in our national Emergency Management [EM] and Homeland Security efforts and continues to seek greater collaboration between these two fields, an area that has yet to be explored to its fullest extent is the utilization of an intelligence process to enhance EM operations. Despite the existence of multiple Federal-level policies that outline the importance of intelligence and information sharing across the all-hazards community, EM is still by-and-large an outsider to the Intelligence Community (IC); the problem is one of both policy and of practice. Formalizing both an intelligence process and EM role culled from best practices of the FBI, U.S. Military, and local law enforcement, and subsequently equipping and training emergency managers in the use of intelligence would be substantially beneficial in all phases of a disaster. Once established, an intelligence process could also help EM augment and integrate into the IC to provide more robust HS capabilities, including a significant role in the State/Local Fusion Centers. This formalized EM Intelligence Cycle (EMIC) lays the groundwork for better EM-IC collaboration, better support to first responders during large-scale events, a more proactive role in preventing future disasters, and a more robust all-hazards community as a whole."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schulz, William N.
2013-09
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Submersible Threat to Maritime Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Small submersible vessels have been used for years by nation states, terrorist groups, and criminal organizations to achieve operational objectives. These entities have sought to capitalize on the overriding tactical advantage of submersible technology which is stealth. For example, drug trafficking organizations in Central and South America have been routinely using self-propelled semi-submersible vessels to clandestinely transport large quantities of illicit drugs to North America. Small submersible vessels can also be nefariously used in the maritime domain to transport persons or weapons or they could be used as waterborne improvised explosive devices. Terrorists and criminals are complex adaptive adversaries and are driven to innovate when confronted with threats to their operational effectiveness. Innovation and adaption are driving these foes to leverage disruptive technology towards the development or acquisition of fully-submersible vessels. Furthermore, there is a growing population of privately owned submersibles within the U.S. that policymakers have little visibility of. Homeland security policymakers lack adequate situational awareness regarding the vulnerabilities, threats, and consequences to the maritime transportation system from the malicious use of submersibles. The core challenge for the maritime homeland security enterprise with regards to submersibles is developing effective strategies to mitigate their potential risk."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Davis, Donald B.
2013-09
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Reading from the Same Map: Towards a New Situational Awareness Model for Emergency Management
"Situational awareness (SA) is a critical issue for public safety disciplines, including emergency management, law enforcement, and the fire service. These fields operate substantially differently from each other, but share a common model for SA, based on John Boyd's OODA loop. Boyd's model, though applied widely, is heavily shaped by artefacts from its origin in the culture of fighter pilots. These artefacts include premises that the practitioner can perceive information directly, has a clear understanding of the nature of events, and is primarily concerned with their own actions. While some disciplines have enough in common with pilots for this SA model to match their activities, emergency management does not. In emergency management, practitioners are separated from the event, events are uncertain in type and duration, and coordination among teams is a primary function. These differences in culture create mismatches between emergency management activities and the SA model, which lead to repeated failures of SA across many organizations. Furthermore, despite a large body of applicable scholarly research on SA specifically and shared cognition in general, little of it has been adopted by practitioners in any discipline. This thesis will examine the SA model to identify mismatches with emergency management, consider research on shared cognition to identify useful elements, and summarize those elements to present options for consideration and further investigation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Rau, Erik
2020-03
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Transportation Security Administration's Four Major Security Programs for Mass Transit - How They Can Be Improved to Address the Needs of Tier II Mass Transit Agencies
"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has established four major programs for the security of mass transit against terrorism. This thesis examined how these programs can be improved to address the terrorism security needs of the nation's 51 transit agencies in urban areas classified as Tier II. Homegrown terrorism represents a new and changing threat to Tier II regions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies examined the DHS [Department of Homeland Security] risk analysis methodology. Both identified problems with the risk analysis methodology used for the distribution of TSA's security program resources. This thesis used the interview and policy options methodologies to find ways to improve these security programs. The focus of the study was on high level strategic goals of increasing law enforcement officers, and increasing explosives detection canine teams for Tier II transit agencies. Strategic recommendations for achieving these goals and other tactical considerations are enumerated. These recommendations and considerations will be forwarded to the Transit Police and Security Peer Advisory Group (PAG) that advises the TSA on these types of issues. If the PAG finds them to be of merit, it may choose to present them to the TSA."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Joyce, John P.
2011-03
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Fire Service's Role in Maritime Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Since September 11, 2001, the fire service role as first responders has changed to include acts of terrorism. United States ports and areas in the marine domain provide terrorists with a wide variety of targets to attack. The marine domain presents many difficult and unique problems to homeland security. The open nature of ports with the high volume of goods and services, key infrastructures, and the large number of agencies with jurisdiction create a complex environment to protect. Many fire departments that protect and respond to incidents in the marine domain have little specialized equipment, special knowledge, or training needed to respond to terrorists attacks in this area. This document looks at the roles the fire service has in homeland security in the marine domain. Based on findings from maritime leaders, five roles emerged: Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8, intelligence and information sharing, area maritime security committee, interagency exercises and training and public/private partnerships. This document demonstrates the fire department's role in each of these areas, and provide a framework fire departments can use to enhance maritime homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Foerster, Paul S.
2011-03
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President Has No Clothes: The Case for Broader Application of Red Teaming Within Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Missing in Department of Homeland Security (DHS)' current gap and vulnerability analysis approach to Red Teaming is the employment of broader decision support Red Teaming--which would provide a strategic assessment tool, assisting the organization in overcoming group thinking and a lack of organizational creativity, while avoiding mirror imaging. DHS, by broadening its use of Red Teaming, will improve its decision-making processes across all levels of homeland security. This research uses a selected case study--identifying and challenging assumptions inherent within TSA's security system, analyzing the problem using an alternative model, and looking at the problem from different perspectives. Combined with evidence and analysis from historical examples, this effort is designed to determine whether decision makers can benefit from Red Teams and Red Team fundamental concepts, and whether these concepts will be effective in assisting DHS and its partners in making better decisions. America's Homeland Security System is hampered by bureaucratic challenges. The U.S. government must dramatically re-orient itself. America needs to redefine its homeland security approach into a flexible adaptive system. Understanding the U.S. layers of security, and how they interact to defeat the terrorist threat, is as critical as understanding 'Red'--what our enemies are doing. Trained Red Teams apply creative thinking, and Red Team fundamentals, challenge the organization's assumptions, provide alternative analysis to the organization's plans, and provide the decision maker with alternative perspectives on the current operating environment. Education on the Red Team Fundamentals should be implemented as mandatory for all homeland security leaders."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Nettles, A. Bentley
2010-06
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Homeland Security Advisory System: An Assessment of Its Ability to Formulate a Risk Message
From the thesis abstract: "The Homeland Security Advisory System was conceived in 2003. Within seven years, the system has become marginalized, even though the country continues to be at war with the forces of terrorism. The reason for this is that the system as designed does not allow for the successful crafting of a complete warning message. A warning message needs to be specific enough to allow the warning recipient to make the appropriate linkages between the warning message and the physical and social manifestations of the threat. This linkage allows the recipient to form his own unique risk reality. Once that is formed, the recipient may be motivated to take appropriate precautions to counter the threat. A warning message that does not allow for the formation of a risk reality can never be effective because the recipient will fail to internalize the risk and thus fail to take the appropriate action to counter the threat."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ryczek, Martin E.
2010-06
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Unity of Command for Federal Consequence Management
From the thesis abstract: "The United States eventually will face an existential catastrophe. An 'existential catastrophe' would result in cascading effects extending well beyond the physical boundaries of the event. When studying the federal response to major disasters, it is apparent higher levels of presidential interest provide a positive impact on results. The lack of coordination of federal response efforts and the inability of the president to impose his will to marshal fully federal resources effectively were major problems identified after Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew. The inability of the federal government to coordinate the federal response efficiently to a catastrophe appears throughout 60 years of modern federal disaster response. This thesis argues the most efficient way for the president to supervise the federal response to an existential catastrophe is to delegate authority for operational decisions to a single federal official that would allow the president and his cabinet to focus on strategic decisions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator, who would be supported by an empowered Emergency Support Function Leadership Group, with authority to direct all agency capabilities released to them by the president and their agencies, would lead the portion of the federal operational response formerly known as consequence management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lucie, H. Quinton
2013-09
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Improving TSA's Public Image: Customer-Focused Initiatives to Encourage Public Trust and Confidence
From the thesis abstract: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can improve its public image by looking at the problem from the customer's perspective. This thesis explores TSA's public-image challenges and identifies customer-focused solutions. Research methods include a case study analysis on Southwest Airlines and Disney and an extensive literature review to identify smart practices that are applicable to TSA. TSA needs to implement customer-focused strategies that are more effective in dealing with the agency's public-image challenges. A TSA strategy designed to build a more positive work environment, improve messaging and information sharing, increase the focus on customer service, and utilize customer feedback to improve operations, will begin to improve public opinion. There is a disconnect between TSA's intentions and the public's perceptions, and it is time to seek new opportunities to improve the public's trust and confidence. It is easy for some to be critical about an agency that screens over 1.7 million passengers each day and often has to get into the passenger's personal space in order to do so. TSA's first priority is and should be security, but public opinion is also important. Increasing public confidence in TSA may also result in more acceptance and cooperation with security processes, resulting in increased security effectiveness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Bierle, Patricia S.
2013-12
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Improving Risk Management and Resiliency: A Plan for a Proactive National Policy on Insurance Practices in FEMA's Public Assistance Program
From the thesis abstract: "Disasters happen. The risks cannot be completely eliminated. However, the risks to insurable public infrastructure can be reduced or controlled through better federal guidance that shapes the value and importance of insurance in risk financing and improves mitigation utilization for risk control. This thesis explores the areas where the federal guidance on insurance can be updated. The intent of Congress is clear. However, the federal guidance on insurance is dated, imprecise, and incentivizes poor risk management. Updated federal guidance can more accurately provide the appropriate incentives and disincentives to promote better risk management in the protection of insurable facilities. Federal policy must allow the flexibility to manage risk while encouraging sound insurance decision making by facility owners to reduce or eliminate the reliance of federal disaster assistance. This can be accomplished through the requirement of insurance, ineligibility of deductibles, flexibility in types of insurance, and promoting resiliency through incentives for hazard mitigation. By improving risk control for insurable infrastructure, we can begin to reduce the costs of disasters and increase the resiliency of communities across the nation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Eaton, Gregory W.
2013-12
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High-Tech, Low-Tech, No-Tech: Communications Strategies During Blackouts
From the thesis abstract: "How do emergency managers communicate vital life-safety information when disaster strikes and the power goes out, sometimes for extended periods? Time and again, our power grid, aging and stretched beyond its intended capacity, has experienced failures. Power outages can quickly shift from being annoying to deadly--especially when temperatures are extreme--particularly for elderly and other vulnerable populations. Emergency managers will be able to use the findings of this research to communicate critical information to the community, even in the direst circumstances, without relying on a 'techno-fix.' A structured focused comparison of three disasters revealed that a 'high-tech, low-tech, no-tech' framework can be implemented successfully and inexpensively. Throughout the three disasters studied, communications methods in the high-tech, low-tech, and no-tech areas were successful in communicating with the public. The thesis recommends that every community be prepared with this three-pronged approach. To go a step further, the study recommends that FEMA consider incorporating the 'high-low-no-tech' approach into its COOP (Continuity of Operations Plan) template, which currently assumes that communications systems-- phones, Internet, email, two-way radios--will be operational within 12 hours of activation, an optimistic assumption. A sample implementation plan with cost estimates is included."
A 6-min video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=750845]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Solymossy, Diana Sun
2013-12
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Use of Social Media Networks and Mobile Phone Applications for Reporting Suspicious and Criminal Activities on Mass Transit
From the thesis abstract: "The threat of terrorism remains in the forefront daily, and public transportation systems remain a preferred target for terrorist attacks. Mass transit customers have long served as the 'eyes and ears' of the public transportation environment. In support of the Department of Homeland Security's See It Say It campaign, mass transit customers contribute to this effort by reporting suspicious and criminal activities on subways and buses. The use of social media networks and mobile phone applications by mass transit law enforcement is slowly evolving as a tool for reporting suspicious and criminal activities on subways and buses. By reviewing the data and current use of social media networks and smartphone applications such as by mass transit law enforcement agencies, this thesis demonstrates that citizens want to play a role in assisting law enforcement in solving crimes. Mass transit law enforcement agencies can leverage community involvement and reduce crime by providing customers with an anonymous means for reporting suspicious and criminal activities. However, whether the use of social media networks and smartphone applications have resulted in an increase in reporting suspicious and criminal activities and a reduction in crime is unresolved, warranting future study in this area."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Donald, Jennifer S.
2013-12
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Homeland Security as a Stock Market: Antifragility as a Strategy for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Since 2002, there have been varying definitions of homeland security. Disagreements about what homeland security is can cause misalignment with budgets and homeland security priorities. The objective of this thesis is to better understand homeland security through the lens of risk and uncertainty using a metaphorical approach comparing homeland security and financial markets. The usefulness of the financial market metaphor is it allows one to conceptualize homeland security as an investor's financial portfolio that is subject to market volatility, market sentiment and mood, investing costs, and market booms and busts. This metaphorical approach for understanding homeland security suggests a nontraditional risk-based antifragile strategy. More than being robust or resilient, which resist or absorb volatility, an antifragile strategy benefits from volatility, adapts, and becomes better. To make something antifragile, individuals and organizations should invest more time in identifying things or processes that are negative rather than focus on the positive. Removing things that are negative can uncover hidden options that can better prepare people or organizations for uncertainty and market volatility. This is a strategy that relies less on definitions of homeland security and is a bottom up, rather than a top down, approach to risk management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Egan, John T.
2013-12
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Role of the Private Sector in the National Response System
From the thesis abstract: "As indicated by the 9/11 Commission, the private sector accounts for approximately 85% of the critical infrastructure in the United States and accounts for approximately 80% of the gross domestic product. The private sector clearly is the engine that drives U.S. economic vitality, and as such, it is critical that it maintains business continuity in the face of a disaster. Moreover, it is equally important to the private sector that communities affected by a disaster recover as quickly as possible to enable it to conduct normal dayto- day business once again, which drives the bottom-line for most companies. The impact of disasters on economic vitality is readily available in numerous studies. It was estimated that the worldwide economic losses incurred during 2004 due to natural disasters was over $145 billion, or more than twice as much as in 2003. Moreover, disasters such as Hurricane Katrina have highlighted the inadequacies of the national response system when faced with catastrophic disasters and the further inability to incorporate willing participation and resources properly from the private sector. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate how response and relief operations at the federal, state and local level can be further improved by providing a better implementation of a network-based methodology for the private sector to participate in the national response framework."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
McKenna, Robert E.
2013-12
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Comparative International Air Cargo Solutions: The Pathway to a Resilient, Adaptable, Balanced and Sustainable Secure Global Air Cargo Supply Chain
From the thesis abstract: "A substantial challenge to reducing security gaps in the international air cargo supply chain is the lack of a method of evaluating existing levels of risk based upon points of origin, points of departure and cargo and aircraft type. This is particularly challenging since the current United States air cargo security protocol requires the 100 percent screening of all air cargo without objectively analyzing or evaluating the risk posed by the air cargo. This thesis proposes a risk-based intelligence driven approach to identify and mitigate the threat of the successful introduction of an improvised explosive device into the international air cargo supply chain. The primary thrust of this research effort is to conduct a comparative analysis of the United States international air cargo policies and the European Union's international air cargo policies as a means of evaluating and proposing a risk based intelligence driven international air cargo policy that capitalizes on the strengths of United States and European Union's systems."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Guglielmo, Thomas P.
2013-12
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Instilling a Culture of Accountability at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Leveraging the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRA-MA) of 2010
From the thesis abstract: "Linking the theoretical conceptualization of public and organizational accountability, defined as a culture of high-trust, with the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (GPRA-MA) of 2010, may revolutionize the way Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leaders and performance practitioners, partners and stakeholders consider and apply strategic performance management practices and processes within the department. This thesis contains twelve (12) recommendations based on the concept of meta-governance, which incorporates 'relational webs' and 'network power' involving the general public, into departmental performance management and improvement processes. Our next generation solution to creatively implement the GPRA-MA, innovative (democratic) networked governance, integrates social complexity theory epistemologies and best practice principles in an attempt to ameliorate the five (5) cultural conditions identified as contributing to deficiencies within the five (5) major focus areas of the GPRA-MA. Placing organizational management, strategic planning, program evaluation, performance measurement, governance, accountability and decision making within the larger context of fiscal, ethical and democratic responsibility and responsiveness, would be an inestimable force multiplier to both DHS politically appointed and career officials, having the potential to revolutionize the way the United States of America secures and protects its homeland."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Smith, Teresa M.
2013-09
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Aviation Security: A Case for Risk-Based Passenger Screening
From the thesis abstract: "Since September 11, 2001, the United States has invested considerable resources to improving aviation security. Despite technology and procedural improvements, passenger screening remains subject to much criticism. Challenges to the current approach include the assumption that all passengers pose a risk; the reactive responses to new threats that are applied broadly to all passengers; high levels of threat uncertainty; a focus on objects versus people; and time constraints on completing the screening process. Combined, these challenges adversely impact performance and result in poor public acceptance of government efforts to protect the commercial aviation sector from terrorist attacks. Questions persist regarding the long-term efficacy and sustainability of the current approach and the availability of a better model. The approach used by Israel and a risk-based approach that calibrates security measures to groups of passengers based on risk are two frequently offered alternative screening models. This thesis evaluates the current and alternative models using security effectiveness, risk mitigation, constitutional permissibility, social acceptance, and political feasibility as evaluation dimensions. This evaluation of policy options allows a side-by-side comparison of the three models and demonstrates that adopting a risk-based security approach to passenger screening is the best option for the U.S. government to pursue."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Fletcher, Kenneth C.
2011-12
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Collaborative Policy Making: Vertical Integration in the Homeland Security Enterprise
From the thesis abstract: "President Obama, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and other senior federal officials have emphasized that, in order to make our country safe and resilient, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector must all work together. This commitment to the shared responsibility requires the White House National Security Staff to make a commitment to engage meaningfully with stakeholders in the mission, through increased transparency and direct consultation. Continued engagement will not only build trust and support from those entities, but it will greatly improve the homeland security enterprise. This research set out to identify a model for the White House National Security Staff to consider using that would provide the most effective and efficient manner for the National Security Staff to engage local, state, tribal, non-governmental and private sector partners to achieve an integrated homeland security policy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wolslayer, Kelly A.
2011-12
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Aviation Security: Biometric Technology and Risk Based Security Aviation Passenger Screening Program
From the thesis abstract: "Since 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has struggled to maintain a balance between providing a secure world-class aviation passenger-screening program (APSP) while providing efficiency, convenience and security for the traveling public and the airline industry. For years the TSA has applied resources and procedures uniformly to all passengers during aviation passenger screening. It is mainly a 'one size fits all ' screening where all passengers are treated as equal risk, which has exponentially increased resources, procedures and equipment required to do aviation passenger screening, Recently, the Transportation Security Administration has sought to find a better way to conduct aviation passenger screening and is transitioning to Risk Based Security (RBS). The RBS initiatives have greatly improved the aviation passenger screening experience while increasing the efficiency of checkpoint screening by shortening the amount of wait times. Furthermore, it has allowed resources to be applied to high-risk individuals and lessen the burden of passenger screening on low-risk individuals. This has freed up resources reduced procedures while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of the checkpoint. The research here provides options on how to better enable current RBS initiatives by incorporating biometric technology into the aviation passenger-screening program. This research has reviewed other government programs that have incorporated biometrics into their procedures to improve the efficiency and reliability by using biometrically enhanced security measures. Through the application or modification of these biometrically enhanced security programs of other agencies, the TSA could standardize and incorporate biometrics into the RBS APSP allowing for authentication of both identity verification and identification. This research will explore how to incorporate biometrics into the current Risk- Based Security Aviation Passenger Screening Program."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Cooper, Curt S.
2012-12
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New Technologies and Emerging Threats: Personnel Security Adjudicative Guidelines in the Age of Social Networking
From the thesis abstract: "Publicized incidents involving espionage or violence by government employees with security clearances have raised concern for the personnel security community. The guidelines used to adjudicate security clearances were last updated in 2005; since that time, significant technological developments, especially in social media and communications, have emerged. This thesis developed a comprehensive list of current Internet behaviors, and used the list to examine Internet behavior in cases of cleared government employees who have been charged with espionage or terrorism-related crimes since 2008. Cases showed a trend of increasing variety of behaviors in these cases with time. In contrast, data from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) pertaining to proposed security clearance denials related to the Use of Information Technology Systems guideline showed a slight decrease. Incorporation of cybervetting into the background investigation process is proposed as a measure to enhance mitigation of questionable Internet behaviors, and may result in an increase in security clearance denials. Examination of the list of Internet behaviors against the current adjudicative guidelines resulted in recommended improvements for the Foreign Influence, Financial Considerations, Personal Conduct, Handling Protected Information, and Use of Information Technology Systems guidelines. Operations Security is proposed as a completely new adjudicative guideline."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Festa, James P.
2012-12
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Risk-based Aviation Security: Diffusion and Acceptance
From the thesis abstract: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is continually under public pressure to improve aviation security screening for air passengers while simultaneously protecting the public from all perceived threats to commercial aviation. Applying acceptance models to predict passengers' intentions to use voluntary security programs could lead to more efficient deployment of technology and procedures or the termination of a security program before significant government resources are dedicated to the program. Accelerated adoption rates of voluntary programs could save the taxpayers millions of dollars and ensure higher levels of security for aviation passengers. Application of acceptance models and diffusion of innovation in government security programs presents a relatively untapped perspective in homeland security and, more specifically, aviation security. This research provides options for modification of the communication plan for TSA's risk-based security policy during its initial implementation stages in 2012. Through application of social behavior prediction models such as the theory of planned behavior, technology acceptance models, and diffusion of innovations, TSA could drastically influence the adoption rate of risk-based security policy, potentially increasing the security effectiveness of aviation security while allowing for faster passenger screening necessary to adjust for expected increased flight loads over the next decade."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Beech, George M.
2012-03
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Measuring Security Effectiveness and Efficiency at U.S. Commercial Airports
From the thesis abstract: "Civil aviation contributes over $900 billion to the U.S. economy annually and the cost of securing U.S. aviation against criminal and terrorist attack runs in the billions of dollars. Therefore, it is critical to use appropriate metrics in managing the security policy and programs. Nonetheless, aviation security has typically evolved haphazardly as a reaction to changing criminal events, often resulting in widespread controversy. The U.S. Government Accountability Office and the media have questioned many Transportation Security Administration procedures. This thesis uses formative program evaluation and policy analysis to investigate current assessment of airport security programs. It identifies innovative public administration and policy-analysis tools that could provide potential benefit to airport security. These tools will complement the System Based Risk Management framework if the Transportation Security Administration involves more stakeholders in collecting and analyzing pertinent data, proactive planning, and developing solutions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Diehl, Daniel
2013-03
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Community Hazard Vulnerability Assessments: How Technology Can Assist in Comprehension
From the thesis abstract: "The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 mandates that all levels of government identify, classify and develop plans for the mitigation of the hazards to which they are exposed, be they natural or man-made. In addition to the legal requirement, communities need to complete a hazard vulnerability assessment to help them determine priorities in deciding how much of a given resource should be aimed at solving a given problem. No communities have unlimited resources; as such, it is imperative that resource allocators, be they emergency managers or elected officials, fully understand the depth and breadth of the multitude of hazards their communities face. Understanding how humans process information and then using technology to assist in the comprehension of that information can only enhance a community's emergency management cycle of planning, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Waters, John R.
2013-09
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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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National Strategy Is Needed to Prevent the Coming Water War: The Mississippi River Watershed Shows Us Why
From the thesis abstract: "The Mississippi River watershed is currently managed as six separate basins including the Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, and Upper and Lower Mississippi Rivers. This research pulls together several system components-- navigation, flood control, environmental, municipal and industrial uses, and geopolitical concerns--and proposes treating the entire watershed as a system. The current problem is that actions taken in one basin often have consequences in another. This results in inefficient oversight, environmental harm, and adds to the cost of watershed management. These problems stem from the lack of a national water strategy. This thesis proposes a national water strategy and the formation of a regional planning body (RPB), with the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan as a guide, to coordinate watershed planning. The watershed RPB would also coordinate inter-basin activities with the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico RPB's. Implementing the recommendations presented in this thesis is made difficult by the complexity of the watershed's ecosystem, the interconnectedness of the system components, the current legal framework for water rights, the myriad congressional oversight committees, numerous non-government organizations, and the many state, tribal, and local jurisdictions with a stake in the outcome."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Wendt, Timothy J.
2014-03
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Economies of Scale: 9-1-1 Center Consolidation as a Means to Strengthen the Homeland Security Enterprise
From the thesis abstract: "Since the Great Recession, local governments have been under pressure to cut programs, personnel, and services due to decreased tax revenues and a weak economic recovery. As a result, government agencies, aiming to do more with less, have consolidated services, including those of local 9-1-1 dispatch centers. This thesis explores whether 9-1-1 center consolidation has been successful thus far. Through a multiple case-study approach, the effects of consolidation upon cost efficiency, service levels, and organizational structure are examined. Primary data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with executives of three consolidated 9-1-1 centers. Secondary data were obtained from related budget documents, published reports, emergency call and response statistics, staffing rosters, organizational charts, and intergovernmental agreements. This mixture of qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed to identify individual first-order concepts, generalized into patterns, and synthesized into overarching dimensions. The key findings suggest that (1) the consolidation of 9-1-1 centers can result in increased cost efficiency through economies of scale; (2) regionally, 9-1-1 center consolidation may standardize and raise the quality of service provided across disciplines and jurisdictions; and (3) in the near-term, organizational behavior issues present challenges for the newly consolidated 9-1-1 center."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Womack, Trevor W., Sr.
2014-03
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What is the Problem to Which the Answer Was Public Law 83-280: How is it Working Out and What Should We Do Next?
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis explores the stakeholders' positions in relation to the implementation of Public Law 83-280 (PL 280). PL 280 mandated that states assume jurisdiction on reservation land. The thesis investigates how the uniqueness of this law has caused multi-dimensional problems including; collaborations/partnerships, familiarity with the law, compliance with the law, law enforcement effectiveness and/or impacts, cultural competence, and training/education. The main claim for this thesis is that PL 280 was written as an unfunded mandate without the consent or input from the Tribes and was enacted without clear guidance for implementation. The thesis investigates whether creation of a best practice model would create a collaborative relationship among Tribes and public safety agencies, communication among multiple disciplines, unified leadership and command on an incident, and improvement for all public safety planning. The research identifies what the existing relationships are, what is lacking at an operational level, what training is available, what the challenges have been, and what the next steps should be in order to improve the process of this law. "
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Muhr, Margaret
2013-09
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Policy Options Analysis of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
From the thesis abstract: "The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) is a direct federal grant program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, for fire and emergency medical services to support firefighter safety and protect the public from fires and other hazards. Homeland security depends upon local fire services to be the first responders to all incidents. The AFG has experienced strong support largely due to the direct involvement of fire services in the grant process. The funding level, however, has been insufficient to address the unmet needs of fire services across the nation. The policy options analysis reviews four options for grant fund distribution, including the current approach, to maximize the contribution of fire services to homeland security goals. The analysis reviews the options based on the factors of improving baseline capability, building catastrophic incident capability, increasing regional capabilities and retaining local support for the AFG. The current approach to grant distribution was determined to provide the strongest contribution due to its broad eligibility of activities that encourage regional cooperation and enable fire services of diverse size and locations to have their applications reviewed on the merit of their identified need to support homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Loper, Sharon L.
2014-03
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Fighting Tomorrow's Fire Today: Leveraging Intelligence for Scenario-Based Exercise Design
From the thesis abstract: "There is a great opportunity for collaborative learning when agencies conduct emergency preparedness exercises together. If different members of the community contribute to the development of these exercises, then this learning benefits the entire population. As it stands, preparedness exercises are being conducted with minimal regard to recommendations from previous exercises and real-world events. Along with the incorporation of intelligence into these exercises, the objectives should promote a more inclusive design process based on focused relevance, encouraging agencies to view themselves more as members of the greater community rather than individual entities. Terrorist organizations learn from past failures as well as successes, and emergency responders should strive to parallel this learning in order to develop tactical improvements. Emergency responders need to promote the idea of intelligence-driven exercise design in order to support community resilience through collaborative training. Municipalities should spearhead this effort, supported financially by the private sector. With this fusion of intelligence and collaborative exercise design, we can learn from the fires of yesterday and prepare for the emergencies of tomorrow." A 6-min, 9-second video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=752925]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Healy, Thomas F.
2014-03
