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Protecting Networks via Automated Defense of Cyber Systems
From the thesis abstract: "Over the next ten to fifteen years, the number of internet-enabled devices is anticipated to grow exponentially, which will magnify cyber risks across an expanding attack surface area. It is unclear whether current manual methods of detection, verification, and remediation will allow network defenders to keep up with those risks. This thesis examined whether automated cyber defenses promise to be more effective than current models to cope with the results of vulnerabilities introduced by the projected increase in internet-enabled devices. The thesis further proposed a future model called Automated Defense of Cyber Systems, built upon three core technological components: sensors, autonomics, and artificial intelligence. Our conclusion is that automation is the future of cyber defense, and that advances are being made in each of the three technological components to support needed productivity gains for information technology security personnel. Continued advances will occur piecemeal, and it is recommended that network defenders make incremental investments consistent with an automated defensive strategy."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Morin, Matthew E.
2016-09
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Hacking Your Ride: Is Web 2.0 Creating Vulnerabilities to Surface Transportation?
From the thesis abstract: "The purpose of this thesis is to determine the threats that social media and social navigation (SMSN) pose to the surface transportation system. The research catalogs the types of threats and SMSN's vulnerabilities, and uncovers terrorists' malign use of social media for intelligence gathering. Academic researchers have already discovered threats in social navigation platforms such as Waze and Google Maps; Sybil and man-in-the-middle attacks allow malicious actors to create traffic congestion and alternate vehicle routing. While this has not yet caused an attributable security concern to the vehicle surface transportation system, in the hands of malicious actors, these vulnerabilities could be exploited to orchestrate an attack that devastates infrastructure and risks human lives."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Novenario, Cedric
2016-09
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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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Case Study in the Identification of Critical Factors Leading to Successful Implementation of the Hospital Incident Command System
From the thesis abstract: "The Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) is widely used by the nation's hospitals, yet there is a paucity of research and a lack of developed models to examine HICS implementation. A study of HICS implementation may benefit hospitals, provide insight for future revisions, and add to the body of knowledge about HICS. This case study examined the critical factors that lead to the successful implementation of HICS based upon Stanford Medicine's Response to the Asiana plane crash of July 6, 2013. Four commonalities identified from the literature review formed a hypothesis for successful HICS implementation that was tested and supported. In addition to the lessons learned that supported the tested hypothesis, the documentation reviewed described highly competent individuals and cohesive teamwork. It was not possible to separate individual and team competence from the tested hypothesis. As a result of this study, six critical factors were identified from the supported hypothesis that form an HICS implementation model for future evaluation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Schoenthal, Lisa
2015-06
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Use of Satellite Imagery for Domestic Law Enforcement
From the thesis abstract: "From an event management standpoint, and in concert with digital mapping applications, satellite imagery has proven its utility to support first responders and emergency services in a wide range of both natural and manmade disasters. Imagery data has also supplemented police activities in developing operational plans that can be prepared for short time, high risk responses at either public facilities or events. This policy options analysis draws a side-by-side comparison of three approaches for the law enforcement community to readily acquire satellite imagery. One approach will make added use of the Civil Applications Committee, the second approach will explore the reactivation of the National Applications Office, and the third will investigate making greater use of commercially available sources. All three approaches have clear advantages and disadvantages, some more than others. In the final analysis, the best policy option presented was making greater use of commercial providers. The relative ease to collect material and manage it with fewer obstacles, in comparison to the Civil Applications Committee and National Applications Office alternative, made it the better option."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Schillinger, Raymond M.
2013-12
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Affordable Care Act: A Prescription for Homeland Security Preparedness?
From the thesis abstract: "Prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tens of millions of U.S. citizens were without health insurance coverage. Without health insurance, health care can be unaffordable or inaccessible, or both. Our ability to obtain health care is part of the homeland security preparedness puzzle. If the Affordable Care Act increases health insurance coverage and helps to control costs as promised, it has enormous potential to bolster homeland security simultaneously. This thesis asks, 'How will the implementation of the Affordable Care Act positively impact homeland security in its efforts to achieve its all-hazards preparedness goal?' This thesis first draws the links between health insurance coverage, health care and homeland security. Using empirical evidence and deductive analysis, it then forward-maps the positive impacts ACA implementation is likely have on homeland security in the areas of health and economic security. Recommendations aimed at enhancing the positive effects of the ACA are provided, including expanding ACA access and benefits to immigrants, better educating the public on the ACA tax penalty, and utilizing grants to encourage state participation."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Petersen, Kimberly Ann
2014-09
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Leveraging Poison Centers' Capabilities for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "Despite a nationwide presence, the daily provision of toxicologic emergency care and collaboration within the public health and emergency management arena, the nation's poison centers are underutilized as a resource and as a partner for homeland security. The lack of utilization has clinical and monetary implications across the healthcare and public health enterprise. This thesis investigated the question do poison centers improve outcomes during public health emergencies? If so, how can they be better leveraged? This thesis research includes a case study analysis evaluating five functions that poison centers provide: disaster response, situational awareness around emerging threats, communication of these threats to the general public and to health care responders, clinical expertise and reducing the burden on health care facilities by preventing unnecessary emergency department visits, and reducing hospitalized patient's length of stay. The findings of this research demonstrate that poison centers do positively impact outcomes during a disaster. They save lives, reduce health care costs, and provide a unique and valuable resource to the public and professional community. In order to better leverage these capabilities recommendations based on this research, collaboration should be increased with the Department of Homeland Security, Health Resources and Service Administration, and the Center for Disease Control, as well as with local and state agencies engaged in emergency response efforts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Caliva, T. Michele
2015-12
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Protecting DHS Component Pre-9/11 Functions: Improving Visibility in Budget Exhibits
From the thesis abstract: "When the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed in 2003, 22 distinct agencies and directorates were consolidated into one organization. The Homeland Security Act of 2002, which mandated DHS' creation, also required that functions performed by other agencies within the Department--those not related directly to securing the homeland--not be diminished or neglected. DHS has been challenged to produce annual budgets that clearly delineate homeland security and non-homeland security functions, making it difficult to assess whether legacy functions have been diminished. This thesis utilized a policy analysis research method to review budget exhibits from fiscal years 2004--2013 in order to analyze funding levels for DHS components' specific legacy functions. Findings revealed that some functions have received decreased funding without a commensurate reduction in demand for that service. The need to unequivocally define which DHS activities are considered homeland security-related emerged as a recurring theme in the research as well. Using a multi-goal policy approach, the study assessed potential courses of action and ultimately makes two recommendations: to pursue a pilot test of modified budget submission requirements for a limited number of DHS components, and to benchmark business processes followed by the Departments of Interior and Commerce."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dietrich, Serena J.
2015-09
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Use of Autonomous Systems in Emergency Medical Services: Bridging Human Intelligence and Technology
From the thesis abstract: "The rapid development of autonomous systems (AS), which are technological systems or processes that either support or replace human decision making, will have a significant impact on emergency medical services (EMS). EMS provider organizations must be prepared to not only interact with AS by having response protocols in place that provide responders with guidance in dealing with these systems during an emergency, but they must also be able to leverage this technology to improve the quality of public safety services. Effective leveraging of AS technologies will enable emergency medical responders to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and provide greater service to those in need. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats evaluation of the impact of not embracing AS reveals that weakness in efficiency and safety and threats from the emerging technology-based markets and the users of EMS will be high, that the number of opportunities to improve required emergency response and deliver expedient medical care will be diminished, and that strengths may be nonexistent. The thesis focuses on the analysis of what AS are, how they are used in the provision of EMS today, how they may be leveraged in EMS systems in the future, and which concerns are related to the use of these systems with regard to homeland security."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Davies, Josh A.
2015-12
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Da Vinci's Children Take Flight: Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration will open national airspace to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Nonmilitary uses for UAS range from agriculture services to entertainment purposes, and include tasks as mundane as inspecting gutters and as consequential as fighting fires. Outside of the safety issues that accompany many breakthrough technologies, the effort to integrate UAS into national airspace is enmeshed in political, legal and economic policies that require careful navigation. Factors like cybersecurity and technological advancements will continue to influence the way UAS can be used. This thesis provides an orientation to the key considerations in UAS integration. Policy recommendations include early stakeholder engagement; a national data protection law; no-fly zones around private residences; clearly identifying UAS operators and owners; nonlethal payloads in national airspace; adapting current surveillance laws to UAS; a single, national privacy law to facilitate the free flow of commerce and coordination across state lines; a federal office in charge of monitoring data privacy; accountability of data collectors; limited exemptions for activities conducted in the interest of national security or to protect life and property; and managing cybersecurity risks." A 9-min, 10-second video interview on this thesis is also available at the following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=752922]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Moore, Jeanie
2014-03
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Surviving the 'Storm': Expanding Public Health's Capabilities in Response to the Increasing Threats Posed by Novel Viruses
From the thesis abstract: "As the planet's population continues to grow at rate that will see a global population of nine billion people by the year 2050, is an era being entered into which pandemics involving novel viruses are the new norm? If that idea is possible, then are drug therapies (approved by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] or in the pipeline for its approval) available that either limit virus replication within a host cell, or reduce the body's hyper-immune response (also known as 'cytokine storm') to novel or pandemic strain viruses with which states could supplement their existing stockpiles? This research explores six classes of medications that could potentially assist state-level governments in expanding their state-level stockpiles, to include more treatment and prophylaxis options, in the face of pandemics involving novel viruses. The results of this research were filtered through three criteria (medical efficacy, cost, logistical considerations) that narrow the field of candidate therapies down to four specific findings: one generic version of the antiviral called Ribavirin, and generic versions of the statins called Lipitor, Zocor and Gemfibrozil. This research may be applied to state and local-level public health agencies interested in bolstering their existing stockpiles for pandemic preparedness."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Mackie, Daniel P.
2013-12
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Using Automatic Identification System Technology to Improve Maritime Border Security
From the thesis abstract: "Our coastal waters are the United States' most open and vulnerable borders. This vast maritime domain harbors critical threats from terrorism, criminal activities, and natural disasters. Maritime borders pose significant security challenges, as nefarious entities have used small boats to conduct illegal activities for years, and they continue to do so today. Illegal drugs, money, weapons, and migrants flow both directions across our maritime borders, as vessels can quickly complete these transits without detection. To what extent could Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology improve border security against the small vessel threat? This thesis provides an overview of existing AIS systems and reviews the maritime border security effectiveness and cost benefit impacts of potential AIS equipment carriage requirements. We compared and analyzed policy options and reviewed implementation issues and concerns. Our conclusions are that the Department of Homeland Security should implement a regulation for all vessels, regardless of size, to install and broadcast Class A or Class B AIS when conducting international voyages. The proposed regulation would expand the existing Small Vessel Reporting System to a mandatory program wherein mariners are required to preregister and file float plans prior to conducting an international voyage. This proposed action provides direct support to three of the five basic homeland security missions: prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage our borders, and enforce and administer our immigration laws."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Lindstrom, Tedric R.
2014-12
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Approaching Career Criminals with an Intelligence Cycle
From the thesis abstract: "Career criminals have been responsible for a high number of crimes out of proportion to their small numbers. Efforts to reduce the recidivism rate through intervention programs have not been effective. American law enforcement could be more effective if career criminals were targeted for special attention. Many law enforcement formats, such as community policing, problem-oriented policing and intelligence-led policing, are currently in use by American state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, and applying the use of intelligence practices to crime in these communities has become a focus of its law enforcement agencies. Can American law enforcement agencies use an intelligence community tool--the intelligence cycle--to deal with career criminals effectively? This thesis studies serious-offender programs and the use of the intelligence cycle by American intelligence agencies in order to create a model merging serious offender programs and intelligence cycles. It investigates serious-offender programs and finds that a lack of focus limited the use of the intelligence cycle within the American criminal justice system. This thesis concludes that the use of the intelligence cycle--specifically the FBI's [Federal Bureau of Investigation] intelligence cycle's six steps of requirements, planning and direction, collection, processing and exploitation, analysis and production, and dissemination--can assist a law enforcement agency in focusing its efforts on career criminals."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
O'Leary, Denis Francis
2015-12
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Olive Branch and the Maple Leaf: A Comparative Analysis of Refugee Policies in Canada and the United States and the Potential for Blended Reform
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis reviewed the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to address concerns regarding the program and actions taken by the Donald J. Trump administration. Specifically, the thesis sought to determine if the admission of refugees poses a threat to the United States and if the USRAP can be modified. To determine potential threats, the research reviewed several concerns, including physical threats that could be caused by refugee admissions as well as economic and social impacts that refugees could have on host countries or individual communities, and then weighed competing arguments against objective evidence. Additionally, the research made a broader comparison between the structure of the United States' and Canada's refugee programs to determine if best practices from both nations might craft an updated USRAP. Ultimately, the thesis determined that refugees pose neither a physical security risk nor an economic risk to the United States. The country, however, is currently failing in its statutory mandate to involve local communities in resettlement decisions; this has long-term negative effects on refugees and citizens. To address this concern, the United States should blend in smart practices from Canada's Provincial Nominee Program to bring USRAP more in line with statutory requirements and current humanitarian needs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tisdale, Robert
2018-12
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When the House is Full, but the Guests Keep Coming: Determining the Impact of Daily Hospital Overcrowding on Disaster Response
From the thesis abstract: "Hospitals throughout the United States are facing overcrowding every day, with more patients than available staff and space can accommodate, yet current disaster response policy related to managing a surge of patients does not include considerations for this daily challenge. This thesis investigates the questions that need to be answered regarding the foundational principles of current U.S. surge policy and how healthcare coalitions might assist in answering such questions. A gap analysis of current healthcare coalition policy related to surge was completed that identified the need for policy makers to continue to expand the role of evidence-based decision making for surge policy. As a result, this thesis recommends that additional data points be added for hospitals receiving patients during the required annual coalition surge test-related performance measures for healthcare coalitions. The additional data points are designed to help policy makers determine whether overcrowding impacts surge response, so policy can be adjusted if needed."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Menefee, Charity M.
2018-12
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Ferguson Effect - Are Police Anxieties to Blame?
From the thesis abstract: "The 'Ferguson Effect' is a relatively recent and controversial theory suggesting law enforcement officers across the country have become less proactive in their policing efforts following the August 2014 officer-involved shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. This thesis attempts to settle the Ferguson Effect debate by determining whether open-source data about police productivity can be collected and analyzed either to support or contradict the Ferguson Effect. Publicly available data repositories through the Public Safety Open Data Portal, Public Data Initiative, and related governmental links are utilized for raw dataset acquisition. Three agencies are chosen for data collection and analysis: (1) the Burlington Police Department, Burlington, Vermont, (2) the Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland, and (3) the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In each case study, the data is insufficient to confirm or deny the existence of the Ferguson Effect, although the limited data available does suggest that in these three cities, no noticeable de-policing is detected following the killing of Michael Brown. The conclusion of the study yields several limitations. The most evident deficiency identified in this study involves the transparency initiative and Open Government program, specifically with regard to the Public Data Initiative (PDI) and gathering of police-related data. The PDI needs to establish stricter guidelines and compliance for participating agencies. Additionally, this thesis suggests that less emphasis should be placed on crime correlations and more value placed on de-policing and anxieties being experienced by officers to measure accurately the existence of a Ferguson Effect."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simonds, Stephen Edward, Jr.
2017-03
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Forgotten Disaster Victim: Reducing Responder Injury
From the thesis abstract: "First responders, including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical service workers, and disaster clean-up teams, are often the forgotten victims of disaster response and recovery, suffering higher injury and illness rates than other population groups. Hampered by limited data collection from past disasters and few existing disaster response injury studies, this thesis examined disaster response case studies to illuminate responder injury and illness issues. Recommendations to reduce injuries and improve responder safety include better training before a disaster, proper use of personnel protective equipment, and strict enforcement of existing policies, rules, and laws at the scene of a disaster."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wright, Anthony James
2017-03
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Management of the Severely Mentally Ill and Its Effects on Homeland Security [supplemental]
This record contains supplemental material for the thesis of the same title. The supplemental material contained in this record includes Appendix F and Appendix G. Appendix F includes statistical information regarding the impact of mental health on law enforcement resources compiled in a state-by-state format. Appendix G contains similar information for areas with a population of less than 1000. The resources are large files located in zip file format with Appendix F consisting of 247 MB and Appendix G, 19.7 MB. The associated thesis may be found at following link: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=691236]
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Biasotti, Michael C.
2011-09
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Flight Plight: An Examination of Contemporary Humanitarian Immigration from Honduras, Cuba and Syria to the United States with Considerations for National Security
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis 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."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Ventura, Catherine Schroeck
2016-03
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Immigration Adjudication Reform: The Case for Automation
From the thesis abstract: "A bill that has passed the United States Senate, S. 744, proposes a 'Lawful Prospective Immigrant' (LPI) status and a 'path to Citizenship' for an estimated 11--12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the agency that would be responsible for processing applications for LPI status or other immigration benefits authorized by immigration reform legislation or administrative relief programs introduced by the White House. Current agency receipts of applications for immigration benefits range between 6 and 7 million per year. Depending on the eligibility criteria for new immigration benefits, agency receipts could triple. The operational impact of these legislative or executive actions on USCIS could bear significant national security risks. This study evaluates whether the implementation of automated tools would mitigate external operational impacts on USCIS. Two existing automated systems are studied. The Secure Flight system, operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Automated Continuous Evaluation System (ACES) as utilized in the Joint Reform Effort (JRE) were selected for their complexity, maturity, and similarity to immigration adjudications. This analysis demonstrates that automated tools can improve the quality of immigration adjudications by supporting a comprehensive assessment, including accuracy, timeliness, completeness and validity. Further, automation would improve the agency's operational responsiveness when external factors such as policy changes affect workloads. These factors thereby improve national security by supporting the agency's mission to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and to prevent and intercept illicit actors from entering or remaining in the United States."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Sanford, Abigail J.
2014-09
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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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Winning the War at Home: Stability Operations Strategy for Homeland Security
From the thesis abstract: "While much progress has been made in American homeland security, there remains a lack of strategic consensus for state and local agencies. Communities are increasingly outspoken in their expectations of unified homeland security efforts. Remarkably, the U.S. military has a long history of using stability operations strategy to execute similar missions in foreign and domestic settings. Stability operations strategy is a non-traditional U.S. military approach emphasizing community collaboration to restore order. Despite similar objectives, stability operations strategy and its use of civil affairs forces do not appear to have been studied as a possible model to unify state and local homeland security activities. This research uses a case study and policy options analysis to explore the questions: Is the U.S. military's stability operations strategy a useful consideration for domestic homeland security applications? If so, how could military stability operations strategy be implemented in homeland security efforts? The research recommends adopting the strategy and organizing state and local homeland security initiatives into six stabilization sectors: civil security, civil control, essential services, support to governance, support to economic and infrastructure development, and information management. Stability operations strategy offers state and local decision makers a comprehensive, community-focused model for homeland security initiatives."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Shaughnessy, Joshua
2016-03
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Keeping Survivors Alive: Security and Humanitarian Aid Operations During Natural-Disaster Response in Conflicts
From the thesis abstract: "When a disaster occurs during a conflict, the security concerns and need for humanitarian aid can increase; survivors need both, but often the government needs to choose which takes precedence and humanitarian aid can fall by the wayside. This thesis examines the impacts of political and military hindrances in conflicts between armed groups and governments on the Red Cross Movement's humanitarian aid delivery during disaster response following the declaration of the war on terror. This thesis is in two parts. The first part establishes the environment in which the Red Cross Movement operates and the attitude toward humanitarian aid in conflict. The second part analyzes the disaster response in three cases, along with the security issues that led to restrictive environments for humanitarian aid and underserved populations. In addition, this thesis includes two historical case studies to provide a comparison between response before and after the war on terror."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jubela, Joleen
2017-03
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Seeing Eye Drones: How the DoD Can Transform CBRN and Disaster Response in the Homeland
From the thesis abstract: "The threat of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) disasters is one of the most dangerous threats to the homeland. The United States has an opportunity to harness emerging technology to increase responder safety and improve situational awareness for civil authorities during response to natural or manmade CBRN disasters. This thesis explores the possibility of integrating small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) with video capability and CBRN detection and identification sensors for use by National Guard civil support teams. Existing policy and doctrine are insufficient to accommodate the fielding of such a capability. This thesis identifies and discusses these gaps. This thesis also conducts an analysis of similar Department of Defense and other national UAS policy and programs and offers recommendations to implement a new domestic sUAS policy. The recommendations provide the framework for implementing an innovative technology while addressing complicated issues, such as national airspace system integration, intelligence oversight, and training programs."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Jonkey, Matthew J.
2016-12
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Unaccompanied Children: Discourse Considerations and Policy Outcomes
From the thesis abstract: "This thesis examines the public discourse related to the 2014 increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the United States' southwest border to determine the effect, if any, public discourse has had on immigration policy outcomes. In the summer of 2014, the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the nation's border increased. Also that year, the countries of origin of the children changed from those of previous years; more children from Central America were arriving. The increase drew national attention from media and politicians. This thesis describes the public discourse in mass media by systematically examining newspaper articles published in the summer of 2014. It then compares themes in the discourse with immigration policy outcomes to determine if the discourse impacted policy. The researcher concludes it can be difficult to determine if public policy is impacted by, or merely reflects, public discourse. However, for one immigration policy outcome, the postponement of executive action on immigration reform, negative public reaction to the increase in unaccompanied children did impact an immigration policy outcome. The thesis findings advance the knowledge of public discourse about unaccompanied children and the role of public discourse in policy outcomes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Byrne, Marie Louise
2017-03
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Engage the Media: The Coast Guard's Public Affairs Posture during the Response to Hurricane Katrina
From the thesis abstract: "During a crisis, one of the most important actions a government (specifically the federal executive branch) should take is to inform the public about the actions being taken to resolve the crisis, or steps the public should take to protect themselves as soon as possible. If the public does not believe the government understands what is occurring, they will not have confidence in the plans being made. Hurricane Katrina was a case in which the federal government failed to inform the public what positive steps it was taking to respond to the incident. As a result, the public perceived that there were no positive steps being taken at all, reducing the trust in the federal government. A notable exception was the Coast Guard, which received much praise in the media and by the public. This paper examines Coast Guard culture, its public affairs program and response frameworks, including the National Response Plan and the National Contingency Plan. Next, timelines of Hurricane Katrina activities show what actions were taken by different agencies, including the Coast Guard. Finally, reasons why the Coast Guard succeeded are given, along with a list of actions other agencies may take to improve their public affairs posture."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Austin, Meredith L.
2007-03
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Role of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in Military Cyber Attack Warning
From the thesis abstract: "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 thesis briefly 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 thesis ends by recommending 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.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
DeGering, Randall R.
2015-09
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Using DoD ISR Capabilities in Support of Homeland Security and Defense; Policy Challenges and Considerations for Effective Incident Awareness and Assessment
"United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is the geographic combatant command responsible for homeland defense and security. USNORTHCOM conducts Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) by providing Department of Defense (DoD) capabilities from its land, sea and air component in support of lead federal agencies in response to homeland security threats. DoD intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities have the potential to improve situational and informational awareness to the homeland security arena. Since Hurricane Katrina, these capabilities have seen an increase in demand. Termed Incident Awareness and Assessment (IAA), these capabilities have been leveraged in response to wildfires in California, hurricanes in Texas, and most recently, during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. There are, however, significant doctrinal, policy, legal and ethical barriers that impinge on USNORTHCOM's ability to employ these capabilities effectively in the homeland. This thesis examines these barriers, as well as the doctrine and policy disconnects between DoD and the emergency management communities. The author proposes recommendations for incorporating IAA into DoD's Joint Doctrine and the Department of Homeland Security's National Response Framework. These recommendations address policy barriers, and if implemented, have the potential to turn IAA into an important force multiplier for homeland security and emergency management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Cannon, Williams Robert
2011-03
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Making U.S. Security and Privacy Rights Compatible [revised and reissued March 2018]
From the thesis Abstract: "The terror attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, necessitated changes in the way domestic intelligence agencies and services conducted information-collection activities to protect against further attacks. Congress acted quickly to prevent the next attack by expanding government authority under the USA PATRIOT Act and the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Court. This gave domestic intelligence services the tools needed due to advances in technology that allowed terror organizations and suspects to travel, communicate, raise money and recruit using the Internet. Safeguards were written into the enhanced authority to protect against privacy abuses by government. Ten years after 9/11, civil-liberties advocates called for more transparency, more privacy protections and better oversight because of past abuses by government officials operating in the name of national security. Leaks about government spying on U.S. citizens have heightened the balance debate between security and privacy. Privacy or security is not a zero-sum game. A policy that incorporates an adversarial process in the FISC [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court] and a streamlined oversight mechanism in Congress for more effective oversight, and the release of redacted classified documents to educate the public about surveillance techniques, would instill more balance and greater public trust." This thesis, originally published in September 2013, was re-released March 2018 to clarify attribution.
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security; Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Clarke, David A., Jr.
2013-09
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Department of Homeland Security's Role in Protecting the National Economy
From the thesis abstract: "The national economy and the vital commercial flows that feed it are the sine quibus non of national influence, power, and security. However, new characteristics of the modern trade environment have the potential to undermine U.S. economic prosperity. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims that homeland security is inseparable from economic security and, as such, that the department has a role to play in supporting national economic security goals. However, DHS has yet to fully reconcile the tension between its trade enforcement and facilitation missions and clarify its role in supporting national economic competitiveness goals. After identifying and assessing several policy alternatives, this paper concludes that DHS should aggressively leverage its unique border authorities to influence a shift toward a more centralized model of government controls of imports, one informed by economy-wide strategic objectives and reliant upon standard performance measures, shared funding schemes, common information technology infrastructures, and delegated decision making on the admissibility of goods. Such an effort could provide commercially meaningful benefits to public and private stakeholders alike while maintaining security and safety requirements."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Brzozowski, Christa M.
2017-09
