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Critical Infrastructure Protection: Challenges to Building a Comprehensive Strategy for Information Sharing and Coordination, Statement of Jack L. Brock, Jr., Director, Governmentwide and Defense Information Systems, Accounting and Information Management Division, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
The unprecedented growth in use of the Internet has revolutionized the way much of the world communicates and conducts business. Without proper safeguards, this widespread interconnectivity poses enormous risks to America's computer systems and to the critical operations and infrastructures they support. For example, hostile nations or terrorists could use cyber-based tools and techniques to disrupt military operations and communications networks. According to the National Security Agency, potential adversaries are developing a body of knowledge about U.S. systems and about methods to attack these systems. Information sharing and coordination among organizations are central to producing comprehensive and practical approaches and solutions to these threats. The "ILOVEYOU" virus is a case in point Because information sharing mechanisms were unable to provide timely warnings, many entities were caught off guard and forced to take their networks off-line for hours. Data on possible threats--viruses, hoaxes, random threats, news events, and computer intrusions--must be continually collected and analyzed. Appropriate warnings and response actions must be effectively coordinated by strong partnerships to ensure that the right data are in the right place at the right time. Jointly designed, built, and staffed mechanisms among involved parties is most likely to obtain critical buy-in and acceptance. After determining what information to collect and report, guidelines and procedures must be established. At present, there is a shortage of persons with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to undertake these efforts.
United States. General Accounting Office
2000-07-26
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Chemical and Biological Defense: Coordination of Nonmedical Chemical and Biological R&D Programs, Report to Congressional Requesters
This report examines the coordination of federal R&D efforts to develop nonmedical technology related to chemical and biological defense. GAO further (1) identifies federal programs that conduct nonmedical chemical and biological defense-related research and development, and (2) describes the existing mechanisms for coordinating these programs.
United States. General Accounting Office
1999-08-16
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Chemical and Biological Defense: DoD Should Clarify Expectations for Medical Readiness, Statement of Nancy Kingsbury, Managing Director, Applied Research and Methods, Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans' Affairs, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives
"As the war on terrorism proceeds at home and abroad, the need for attention to these matters has become more urgent. My testimony today is based on our report on DOD's preparations for medical support for chemical and biological casualties. In the report, which is being released today, we responded to your request that we determine how DOD had adapted its medical personnel to
emerging chemical and biological threats. Specifically, we looked at how
DOD and the services had addressed chemical and biological threats in the
distribution of medical personnel across specialties. We also looked at the
extent of training for medical personnel in the treatment of chemical and
biological casualties."
United States. General Accounting Office
2001-11-07
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Critical Infrastructure Protection: Significant Homeland Security Challenges Need to Be Addressed: Statement of Robert F. Dacey Director, Information Security Issues
On June 18, the President transmitted draft legislation to Congress for the creation of a Department of Homeland Security to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recovery from attacks that do occur. As proposed, functions of the Homeland Security Department's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Division would include (1) receiving and analyzing law enforcement information, intelligence, and other information to detect and identify potential threats; (2) assessing the vulnerabilities of the key resources and critical infrastructures; (3) developing a comprehensive national plan for securing these resources and infrastructures; and (4) taking necessary measures to protect these resources and infrastructures, in coordination with other executive agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector. To create this division, six federal organizations that currently play a pivotal role in the protection of national critical infrastructures would be transferred to the new department. Potential benefits for this division include more efficient, effective, and coordinated programs; better control of funding through a single appropriation for the new department and through establishing budget priorities for transferred functions based on their homeland security mission; and the consolidation of points of contact for federal agencies, state and local government, and the private sector in coordinating activities to protect the homeland. Finally, the new department will also face challenges, such as developing a national critical infrastructure protection strategy, improving analytical and warning capabilities, improving information sharing on threats and vulnerabilities, and addressing pervasive weaknesses in federal information security.
United States. General Accounting Office
2002-07-09
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Your Family Disaster Plan
Families can-and do-cope with disaster by preparing in
advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family's disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility. Outlined are four steps to safety. 1) Find out what could happen to you; 2) Create a disaster plan; 3) Complete the checklist in this brochure; 4) Practice and maintain your plan.
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
1991-09
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Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it--on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter. Included here are preparations for a disaster supply kit, escape plan, and a home hazard hunt. This checklist is good for natural disasters as well as hazardous materials spills.
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
1993-08
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EPA's Involvement in Counter-Terrorism
This presentation includes the OSC's role in the response to counter-terrorism, crisis management: general OSC role, crisis management structures, joint operations center, consequence management: OSC role, coordination, and how it all works. Included is a scenario depicting initial actions for crisis management once an incident has occurred.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
1997-11
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Terrorism Backgrounder
This document provides background information on terrorism including a definition of terrorism. Emergency information, biological and chemical weapons information, and facts about terrorism are all outlined in this record. Most terrorist incidents in the United States have involved small extremist groups who use terrorism to achieve a designated objective.
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2001
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Improving Local and State Agency Response to Terrorist Incidents Involving Biological Weapons: A Planning Guide
This planning guide acts as a first step in assisting your community in analyzing your current Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent a biological terrorist attack from quickly overwhelming state and local emergency resources. Using the principles from this guide, your community can begin a conversation to incorporate additional planning actions so that you can respond effectively and quickly to a terrorist incident involving biological weapons.
United States. Department of Defense
2000-09-12
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Guidelines for Use of Personal Protective Equipment by Law Enforcement Personnel During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident
The challenges facing law enforcement officers vary greatly between those of a hazardous materials (HazMat) incident and a deliberate attack using chemical agents. The CWIRP
undertook this study to characterize these challenges in terms that are understandable to the law enforcement departments and individuals that may find themselves in these situations. In doing so, the CWIRP has attempted to identify and evaluate various personal protective equipment (PPE) alternatives that law enforcement officials may choose to use based on the types of missions being performed at the incident scene. Primary consideration was given to the protection of patrol officers operating on the perimeters of the incident and performing necessary
crowd control and security functions as well as tactical teams that may be called on to perform operations inside of the Warm Zone. Protective clothing options for bomb technicians are basically limited due to the inherent dangers associated with the mission. The CWIRP did not identify any alternative protective ensembles beyond the already available chemical/biological (C/B) bomb suit. It is the Program's intent to provide law enforcement officials with sufficient information to make informed decisions about how to equip their departments for responding to
a chemical terrorist attack.
U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command
2001-06
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Guidelines for Cold Weather Mass Decontamination During a Terrorist Chemical Agent Incident (Final Report)
This report provides guidance on cold weather mass decontamination procedures for emergency responders. All methods discussed in this report are potential options under extreme circumstances. As the ambient air temperature decreases, some wet decontamination processes, while potentially life-saving, present risks that must be balanced against the hazards posed by the chemical agents. The guidelines presented in this document are intended to provide responders with mass decontamination options based on decreasing ambient air temperatures. These recommendations were developed with input from cold weather experts and rescue personnel. Responders should use whatever resources are available in time of need and should select the fastest method available because decontamination is most effective when performed immediately. The key to successful decontamination is to use the fastest approach that will cause the least harm and do the most good for the majority of the people. Despite misconceptions among responders, the risk of hypothermia as a result of cold weather mass casualty decontamination is minimal. Less well recognized is the risk of cold shock, which can be minimized by following the recommended guidelines presented in the report (see 6.0, Conclusions and Recommendations: The Bottom Line). Special populations, such as the elderly and the very young, should be given priority for limited resources such as blankets and indoor shelter because of limited or impaired ability to maintain body temperature. Regardless of the ambient temperature, people who have been exposed to a known life-threatening level of chemical contamination should disrobe, undergo decontamination with copious amounts of high-volume, low-pressure water or alternative decontamination method, and be sheltered as soon as possible.
U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command
2002-01
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Transforming Defense: National Security in the 21st Century
This December 1997 report of the national defense panel entitled, "Transforming Defense: National Security in the 21st Century" addresses the need for the United States to launch a transformation strategy to meet a range of security challenges in 2010 to 2020. The report focuses on the long-term issues facing U.S. defense and national security. It identifies the changes that will be needed to ensure U.S. leadership and the security and prosperity of the American people in the twenty-first century. The author stresses that the U.S. must make critical decisions and choices entailing significant investments of resources and energies. The contents include the World in 2020 (key trends, alternative worlds, implications, operational challenges to the military), U.S. National Security in 2020 (national security imperatives and alternative strategies for the 21st century), Meeting National Security of 2020 (homeland defense, regional stability, projecting military power, space operations, maintaining U.S. information superiority, countering weapons of mass destruction, Force Capabilities (conventional forces, strategic nuclear forces, and reserve components), Transformation Strategy (broad national security approach, institutionalizing innovation, experimentation, transforming the unified command plan, transforming the industrial base, and transforming infrastructure.
United States. National Defense Panel
1997-12
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Public Transportation System Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide
"Recent events have focused renewed attention on the vulnerability of the nation's critical infrastructure to major events, including terrorism. The Public Transportation System Security and Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide has been prepared to support the activities of public transportation systems to plan for and respond to major security threats and emergencies. It emphasizes the importance of developing critical relationships, preparing strategies and policies, and setting training and funding priorities. It offers practical guidance for planning effectively, spending wisely, and making the public transportation infrastructure safer. This Guide builds on a previous Federal Transit Administration (FTA) publication, the Transit System Security Program Planning Guide. This earlier publication is available on the Guide CD-ROM. This Guide is based on research to identify practical steps that systems can take to be better prepared for all emergencies. These recommendations support the industry's commitment to prevent those events that can be prevented and to minimize the impact of those that cannot. Emphasizing balanced, common sense measures, this Guide helps transportation systems answer many questions."
United States. Federal Transit Administration
Boyd, M. Annabelle; Balog, John N.; Caton, James E.
2003-01
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Recommended Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Urban, Rural, and Specialized Transit Systems
Urban, rural and specialized transit services provide an important source of transportation for many people in the United States. A number of concerns must be addressed to ensure the safety of passengers during transit emergencies. The needs of passengers can be addressed through carefully planned emergency response procedures, proper training of transit and emergency response personnel, and effective use of equipment. The recommendations contained herein are therefore intended to assist transit and emergency response organization personnel to evaluate their emergency response plans and, if necessary, modify or supplement those plans accordingly.
United States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation Administration
Hathaway, W. T.; Markos, Stephanie H.
1991-01
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Standard Protocols for Managing Security Incidents Involving Surface Transit Vehicles
In light of recent events involving anthrax-tainted mail, and repeated suicide bomb attacks on buses in the Middle-East, it is important that Transit Operators and Bus Dispatch/Control Center personnel be vigilant in preparing for, and understanding how, terrorists might attack their system. Transit vehicles are ideal targets for explosives. Although some types of transit vehicles are less optimal targets for chemical or biological attack, in light of the broad scope of the general threat to transit, it is vital that appropriate response procedures be in place to adequately respond to such incidents and minimize their effects. These protocols are mainly focused on the transit vehicle operator. However, the information provided also may apply to Transit Operations in general, including maintenance and service personnel, yard supervisors, and management.
United States. Federal Transit Administration
2002-08
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Terrorism with Ionizing Radiation General Guidance: Pocket Guide
This 2 sided pocket guide includes the following information for radiation terrorism: confirmation of cases; decontamination considerations; treatment considerations; institutional reporting; public health reporting; diagnosis alerts; understanding exposure; and a table outline of acute radiation syndrome. The following web sites are for VA access card and DoD access cards respectively: http://www.oqp.med.va.gov/cpg/cpg.htm; http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/qmo
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (U.S.)
2002-05-16
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Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders (Respiratory Protection): Volume IIa
This guide includes information intended to be useful to the emergency first responder community in the selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes chemical and biological protective clothing and respiratory equipment for different applications. This Volume, IIa, of the Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First
Responders, includes details on the 69 respiratory protective items referenced in Volume I. The Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders includes information intended to be useful to the emergency first responder community in the selection of PPE. Due to the large number of personal protective equipment items identified for
the guide, the guide is separated into four volumes. Volume I serves as the selection tool for all PPE items while Volume IIa serves as a repository for the respiratory PPE data sheets; Volume IIb serves as a repository for the percutaneous (garments) PPE data sheets; and Volume IIc serves as a repository for the percutaneous (apparel other than garments) PPE data sheets.
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Fatah, Alim Ahmed; Barrett, John A.; Arcilesi, Richard D., Jr. . . .
2002-11
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Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders (Percutaneous Protection--Apparel): Volume IIc
This guide includes information intended to be useful to the emergency first responder community in the selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes chemical and biological protective clothing and respiratory equipment for different applications. This Volume, IIc, of the Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First
Responders, includes details on the 74 percutaneous protective items (apparel other than garments) that are referenced in Volume I. The Guide for the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Emergency First Responders includes information intended to be useful to the emergency first responder community in the selection of PPE (percutaneous and respiratory). Due to the large number of PPE items identified for the guide, the guide is separated into four volumes. Volume I serves as the selection tool for all PPE, while Volume IIa serves as a repository for the respiratory protective data sheets; Volume IIb serves as a repository for the percutaneous protective equipment (garments) data sheets, and Volume IIc serves as a repository for the percutaneous protective equipment (apparel) data sheets.
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Fatah, Alim Ahmed; Barrett, John A.; Arcilesi, Richard D., Jr. . . .
2002-11
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Information Systems Security: The Federal Aviation Administration's Layered Approach
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)develops, maintains, and operates one of the largest
and most complex critical infrastructures; an infrastructure that is almost totally informationcentric. Destroying information or changing it improperly
can disrupt the work of FAA and the
national airspace system. The disclosure of sensitive information about ongoing, critical transportation functions to unauthorized entities can harm the
operations of FAA and other government agencies. For FAA, information systems security extends
beyond the computer environment to the security of airspace and the national airspace system. The
structural, operating, and procedural foundations information systems security provide the mechanisms for achieving FAA's safety, security, and efficiency goals.
United States. Federal Aviation Administration
Mehan, Daniel J.
2000-11
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Guide for the Selection of Chemical and Biological Decontamination Equipment for Emergency First Responders: Volume I
The guides will focus on chemical and biological equipment in areas of
detection, personal protection, decontamination, and communication. This document focuses specifically on chemical and biological decontamination equipment and was developed to assist the emergency first responder community in the evaluation and purchase of decontamination equipment. It should also be noted that the purpose
of this guide is not to provide recommendations but rather to serve as a means to provide information to the reader to compare and contrast commercially available decontamination
equipment.
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Fatah, Alim Ahmed; Barrett, John A.; Arcilesi, Richard D., Jr. . . .
2001-10
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DoD Directive 3025.1-M: Manual for Civil Emergencies
This Manual is issued under the authority of DoD Directive 3025.1, "Military Support to Civil Authorities (MSCA)," January 15, 1993. It provides guidance for the preparation, coordination and execution of military support to civil authorities during civil emergencies within the United States, its territories, and possessions. Further, this Manual serves as a reference for other Federal, State, and local agencies on how the Department of Defense supports civil authorities and how DoD assets can be used to support civilian leadership priorities in returning their communities to a state of "normalcy."
United States. Department of Defense
1994-06
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Technology Assessment: Using Biometrics for Border Security
"Our report starts with a description of the current border control procedures for admitting people into the United States--issuing visas to citizens of other nations and passports to U.S. citizens and inspecting travelers at the ports of entry. Next, the report describes how biometric technologies work, including the different types of biometric technologies, their levels of maturity, and their operating and performance characteristics. We present four possible scenarios in which biometrics might be applied to current U.S. border control procedures. For each scenario, we analyze some of the costs, benefits, and risks associated with implementation. Finally, the report sums up certain policy implications and challenges to be faced if a biometric system is to be designed and deployed for border security. A number of appendixes provide details on the major biometric technologies."
United States. General Accounting Office
2002-11-14
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Homeland Security: Responsibility and Accountability for Achieving National Goals Statement of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, U.S. Senate
In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Administration took several steps to strengthen homeland security, including the creation of an Office of Homeland Security (OHS). The success of a homeland security strategy requires all levels of government and the private sector to communicate and cooperate with one another. The federal government must formulate realistic budget and resource plans to support the implementation of an efficient and effective homeland security program. A fundamental review of existing programs and operations can create the necessary fiscal flexibility by weeding out out-dated, poorly targeted, or inefficient programs. Although Congress called upon GAO to evaluate the effectiveness of OHS programs, GAO has experienced difficulty in gaining access to this information.
United States. General Accounting Office
2002-04-11
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Federal Electrical Emergency Preparedness Is Inadequate
GAO reviewed the vulnerability of the nation's electric power systems to disruptions from acts of war, sabotage, and terrorism and analyzed the federal role in dealing with major, long-term electrical emergencies resulting from such acts.
Federal leadership for electrical emergency planning and preparation is unorganized and ineffective. GAO found that: (1) the Department of Energy (DOE) has an inadequate program for dealing with major electrical disruptions; (2) DOE Emergency Electric Power Administration representatives are unsure of their status, roles, authority, and responsibility, and doubtful that the organization could operate during an emergency; (3) DOE does not have adequate plans to manage and mitigate electric power disruptions; (4) emergency plans to manage such disruptions and restore the power system are needed; and (5) problems exist in federal coordination with respect to electric emergency preparedness.
United States. General Accounting Office
1981-05-12
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DoD Directive 5230.16: Nuclear Accident and Incident Public Affairs (PA) Guidance
This Directive reissues DoD Directive 5230.16, February 7, 1983 to update DoD policy, responsibilities, and procedures for the prompt release of information to the public in the interest of public safety, and to prevent public alarms in the event of accidents or significant incidents involving nuclear weapons or nuclear components, radioactive material, nuclear weapon launch or transport vehicles (when a nuclear weapon is aboard), or nuclear reactors under DoD control. Updates DoD policy, responsibilities, and procedures during an improvised nuclear device (IND) incident.
United States. Department of Defense
1993-12-20
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Smallpox: An Attack Scenario
"Smallpox virus, which is among the most dangerous organisms that might be used by bioterrorists, is not widely available. The international black market trade in weapons of mass destruction is probably the only means of acquiring the virus. Thus, only a terrorist supported by the resources of a rogue state would
be able to procure and deploy smallpox. An attack using the virus would involve relatively sophisticated strategies and would deliberately seek to sow public panic, disrupt and discredit official institutions, and shake public confidence in government. The following scenario is intended to provoke thought and dialogue that might illuminate the uncertainties and challenges of bioterrorism and stimulate review of institutional capacities for rapid communication and coordinated action in the wake of an attack."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
O'Toole, Tara Jeanne, 1951-
1999-07
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Bioterrorism as a Public Health Threat
The threat of bioterrorism, long ignored and denied, has heightened over the past few years. Recent events in Iraq, Japan, and Russia cast an ominous shadow. Two candidate agents are of special concern--smallpox and anthrax. The magnitude of the problems and the gravity of the scenarios associated with release of these organisms have been vividly portrayed by two epidemics of smallpox in Europe during the 1970s and by an accidental release of aerosolized anthrax from a Russian bioweapons facility in 1979. Efforts in the United States to deal with possible incidents involving bioweapons in the civilian sector have only recently begun and have made only limited progress. Only with substantial additional resources at the federal, state, and local levels can a credible and meaningful response be mounted. For longer-term solutions, the medical community must educate both the public and policy makers about bioterrorism and build a global consensus condemning its use.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Henderson, D. A.
1998-07
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Anthrax: A Possible Case History
This is a fictional account of what could potentially happen in the event of an anthrax attack, presented at the First National Symposium on the Medical and Public Health Response to Bioterrorism, in Virginia, in 1999. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offices in five U.S. cities have received warnings of an imminent bioterrorist attack. Each threat indicated that a 'shower of anthrax would rain on U.S. cities,' unless certain demands were met immediately. One of these calls was in Northeast, a large city on the Eastern Seaboard
with a metropolitan population of 2 million. The threats were credible, but no information was relayed to city officials in Northeast or elsewhere. This scenario is ominous. Such an epidemic would create extraordinary challenges for a
modern American city. However, there is no need to give in to the ending of this story. Practical, modest preparedness efforts could
make a difference and change the outcome. Many of the most useful efforts may be the result of ingenuity and depend on collaboration of experts from many disciplines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Inglesby, Thomas V.
1999-07
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Industrial Chemicals and Terrorism: Human Health Threats Analysis
Terrorists, warring factions, and saboteurs use chemicals commonly found in communities in industrialized nations to create improvised explosives, incendiaries, and chemical agents. Common chemicals may be used because standard military chemical agents may be difficult or dangerous to manufacture, access, or disperse. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) developed a 10-step procedure to analyze, mitigate, and prevent public health hazards resulting from terrorism involving industrial chemicals. Results of applying the 10-step procedure to two communities are discussed.
United States. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Hughart, Joseph L.
1999-04-06
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Environmental Protection Agency: Radiological Emergency Response Plan
The 1999 EPA Radiological Emergency Response Plan (EPA-RERP) is published to replace the 1986, EPA Radiological Emergency Response Plan. The EPA-RERP has been developed to reflect changes in EPA's programmatic and operational concepts for responding to radiological incidents and emergencies. The EPA-RERP is to be used as a guide for planning and maintaining readiness to respond to
those releases in accordance with EPA's mission to protect human health, welfare, and the environment. Furthermore, this Plan distinguishes between EPA's role as a Lead Federal Agency for response coordination under the FRERP, and its role as a lead agency for directing and managing an emergency response pursuant to the NCP. It also accents the EPA-OSC's role in managing/directing the emergency response actions as prescribed in the NCP.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency
2000-01-10
