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Tainted Love, Crab Pickers, and Opportunities for Fraud: A Comparative Analysis of Deterrence Mechanisms in USCIS
From the thesis Abstract: "The marriage immigration benefits programs and the H-2B visa program for temporary nonagricultural workers are programs that, amid fraud or abuse, could lead to nefarious actors gaining access to the United States and posing a threat to homeland security. This thesis explores the strengths and weaknesses of fraud deterrence processes in these visa programs, seeking to understand how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can better combat abuse and prevent national security risks. The purpose of this qualitative research was to compare these two programs and explore strengths and weaknesses of their deterrence mechanisms through the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS). This thesis reviews and compares the legal frameworks of these visa programs, their fraud and security risk detection and prevention mechanisms, various reports issued by government agencies, media reports, and case studies through interviews with FDNS officers at USCIS. This thesis finds that the H-2B visa program has better fraud and national security risk detection and prevention mechanisms than the marriage programs have and provides recommendations for improvements in the following distinct core areas: legal framework, notification requirements and site visits, and interagency collaboration. The results of this thesis are meaningful for academics and practitioners because they provide real-world policy recommendations to improve deterrence mechanisms at USCIS FDNS."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Perdomo, Mildred
2020-12
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Drone America: The End of Privacy?
From the thesis Abstract: "Cutting-edge technological innovations have enabled law enforcement agencies to collect data over a geographical area in relatively short amounts of time. Drones (also known as unmanned aerial vehicles) are becoming increasingly acceptable and employed by state and local law enforcement to become force multipliers. While the Federal Aviation Administration has addressed the integration and safety of flight requirements for law enforcement agencies to utilize drones, federal privacy and data collection regulations are unresolved. This thesis argues that federal regulation is required and attempts to highlight the distinction between surveillance technology and delivery platforms to understand how to approach the regulation of data gathering. In doing so, this thesis uses a political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological (PEST) analysis to examine Title III and relative jurisprudence dealing with both surveillance and aerial platforms. The PEST analysis aims to bring forward the salient points in crafting recommendations and expansion in current legislation that support an increase in citizens' safety and security, but remain within the bounds of constitutional liberty and the Fourth Amendment."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Farias, Richard T.
2020-12
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Islamic and Domestic Radicalization: Does One Size Fit Most?
From the thesis Abstract: "Many studies have examined the process by which Islamic extremists radicalize, yielding three dominant approaches: grievance approach, social media approach, and network approach. However, over the last 20 years, the extremist threat has shifted from international and homegrown Islamic extremism to predominantly right-wing domestic extremism. The last five years have seen some of the highest numbers of fatalities by right-wing extremists recorded. As such, understanding how far-right sympathizers radicalize has become more important. This thesis analyzes three right-wing extremists: Dylann Roof, Patrick Crusius, and John Earnest, focusing on their backgrounds, radicalization history or motivations, and their respective manifestos. This information is then compared to two Islamic radicalization models to determine if key factors of these models help contribute to an understanding of each individual's radicalization. This thesis asks if those theories can be applied to the radicalization process of domestic far-right extremists. Although three case studies may not be sufficient to draw definitive conclusions, the information gathered from each subject and their respective application to the Islamic radicalization models yield a significant correlation to the process of domestic extremists' radicalization. With few alterations to existing models, it is possible to leverage earlier studies of Islamic radicals to understand the process by which right-wing extremists emerge."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Rogers, Cody A.
2020-12
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Securing the NHL Global Series: How International Terrorism Can Threaten Hockey
From the thesis Astract: "The Canadian-born National Hockey League (NHL) has become more popular and more profitable due to its success within the North American market, particularly the United States. Because of this success, the NHL created its Global Series program to bring the world's most premier ice hockey to fans across the world, starting with Europe. American influence on NHL culture, marketing, and business has allowed the league to globalize in Europe, and this globalization poses specific and unique threats that stakeholders may not be considering--for example, terrorism. This thesis considers how the NHL can prepare to deal with the threat of international terrorism while operating overseas to ensure the safety and security of their personnel and events. The thesis concludes that anti-Americanism is an underlying, persistent, and increasing threat in Europe as NHL overseas operations expand. Specifically, this thesis finds that anti-Americanism is often easily linked with anti-capitalism, anti-globalization, and anti-culturalization movements in Europe. Ultimately, the thesis recommends that NHL Global Series security stakeholders consider the anti-American threat and sentiment in a host nation to secure the games. Further, this thesis recommends that NHL executives also consider anti-Americanism when planning future expansions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Dunn, Blaize A.
2020-12
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Foreign-Born Human Trafficking--A Dark Spectre Haunting America: An Examination of the Sex and Labor Trafficking Landscape
From the thesis Abstract: "This research examined how the inclusion of human trafficking as a crime subject to state mandatory reporting requirements would enhance local and state law enforcement efforts to identify, document, and investigate the crimes of foreign-born human trafficking. This thesis documented the impact of state mandatory reporting laws on police responses to domestic violence and child abuse crimes through an examination of relevant legislation and statutes, scholarly works, data collection frameworks, case studies, and statistical findings. It subsequently found that state-level mandatory reporting laws related to domestic violence and child abuse enhanced law enforcement's ability to identify such crimes through improved data collection and analysis. Based on these findings, the incorporation of trafficking crimes into states' existing mandatory reporting frameworks will likely improve law enforcement efforts to create comprehensive data collection and sharing platforms necessary for evidence-based policy development and evaluation of anti-human trafficking strategies. However, amending mandatory reporting laws should be held in abeyance until such time that due consideration can be given to ethical concerns and the potential victim impact of such changes."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Haunsperger, Natasha B.
2020-12
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Catch-22: Relations Between Labor Unions and Management in Public Safety
From the Thesis Abstract: "In the United States, a small portion of firefighters are responsible for fire and emergency responses for a large segment of the population. Many of those firefighters are members of a labor union; in states that allow collective bargaining, the unions hold significant legal protections in regard to contract negotiations, job protection, and working conditions. The relationship between the firefighters' unions and the government entities that employ their members can bring about positive collaboration or costly, ongoing battles that negatively impact services. Those who oppose unions point to the associated costs and the considerable sway unions hold over elected officials. Union activists, however, point to the job protections and benefits that unions negotiate and the continued need for employees to have a collective voice. In places where public sector unions are allowed, labor and management must find a way to relate to each other in a manner that is fair and equitable to the union membership but that also ensures services provided to citizens are effective and efficient. This thesis concludes that collaboration and pursuit of shared interests benefit both labor and management, and acting outside of the legal frameworks of a unionized workforce is counterproductive and exacerbates the problem. Labor unrest drives costs through legal action and can reduce the level of service provided to taxpayers."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Dudek, Matthew
2020-09
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Gods Versus Titans: Ideological Indicators of Identitarian Violence
From the Thesis Abstract: "The identitarian movement is a complex socio-political worldview based on the notion that the European identity must be defended against the onslaught of globalism, replacement, and liberalism. In order to arm current and future identitarians with the courage and resolve they must have to fight this war, identitarian leadership has built a culture of violence founded on ancient heroes, epic battles, and wars between gods and Titans. In some cases, the culture of violence moves from the realm of allusion to the real world, where scores of innocents are murdered in churches, stores, and summer camps. This thesis applies the theory of sensemaking to identitarianism in a series of lenses through which adherents perceive, construct, and then react to the world. The identitarian culture of violence is found in the positioning of each lens, with violence ultimately becoming a lens unto itself. By studying and understanding the various lenses used by identitarians, U.S. law enforcement will be equipped to seek out and identify markers of identitarian violence and intercede before more lives are lost."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Adamczyk, Christopher J.
2020-09
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How Can Architecture Make Communities and Urban Environments More Resilient to Disease?
From the Thesis Abstract: "The thesis outlines a series of risk factors that will increase the frequency and intensity of disease outbreaks in the years to come. As COVID-19 has shown, an outbreak can occur at any time. Architecture can be an agent to help reduce the risk. By creating spaces that prioritize health-giving attributes--through the circulation of airflow, spatial design, biophilic elements, natural light, and selection of the right building materials--architecture can be built for healing, and to support infection control. In the 19th century, cities like London and New York implemented housing reforms to improve the living conditions in tenements and other dwellings. Back then, the incorporation of light, nature, and airflow into a building's design was seen as a prescription for disease. In recent years, a growing body of research is confirming what the architects and planners from the past deduced from theory and intuition: that the built environment can promote health and well-being, and reduce the public's exposure to such respiratory infections as tuberculosis and COVID-19. Organizations like Mass Design Group and Archive Global have been applying lessons from the past to design spaces of the present with health-giving intent. This thesis examines their work, along with their core strategies. Ultimately, this thesis advances a prescriptive model to shape the built environment to make it healthier and more resilient, and to reimagine how spaces function and operate."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Garofalo, Jeffrey A.
2020-09
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Defending American Democracy in the Post-Truth Age: A Roadmap to a Whole-Of-Society Approach
From the Thesis Abstract: "False narratives increasingly threaten U.S. democratic society and evolving adversaries and technology are making it more difficult for authorities and the public to differentiate between fact, opinion, and falsehoods. Despite experts proposing a variety of recommendations to mitigate this threat, the United States does not have a national-level strategy in place to combat deceptive messaging in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The author analyzed over 170 recommendations for a U.S. strategy and found that many of them hinge on broad coordination between all U.S. stakeholders, which includes, but is not limited to, all levels of government, private sector, academia, media, and civil society. To identify how the United States can achieve the coordination needed to combat deceptive messaging, the author conducted a case study of the role of coordination in the European Union (EU) response to disinformation and an assessment of collective impact, a cross-sector coordination method used for complex social problems, for use in the United States. The conclusions of the case study and assessment endorse U.S. government practitioners to use collective impact and components of existing practices in the EU response to disinformation to build a coordinated national strategy to challenge those who wish to harm American democracy and U.S. interests via cyber-based deceptive messaging."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Mason, Katelyn M.
2020-09
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Disasters, Finances, Nutrients, and Climate Change: A Case for Waterless Sanitation Systems
From the Thesis Abstract: "The practice of sewering (transporting with underground pipes) human excreta began in the mid-1800s and propelled the United States into the current wastewater paradigm. Water is the key element of wastewater conveyance, treatment, and disposal/reuse systems. Although this process has arguably improved quality of life, extending it to manage human excreta with water is becoming problematic due to water's increasing scarcity, mounting costs, contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and deleterious environmental effects. This thesis sought to answer the following central research question: To what extent would an alternative means of managing human excreta benefit homeland security? Through appreciative inquiry and structured interviews with human subjects, research revealed that a method known as container-based sanitation has applications in multiple contexts. Container-based sanitation is rapidly deployable, scalable, and can be used in any situation in which traditional wastewater systems are nonoperable or nonexistent, such as disaster recovery, homelessness, and temporary encampments such as refugee camps or military bases."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Smith, Ryan A.
2020-09
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Key to Lawful Access: An Analysis of the Alternatives Offered in the Encryption Debate
From the Thesis Abstract: "This thesis examines the lawful access challenge that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face when seeking to obtain communications and mobile electronic devices that cannot be penetrated and that include strong encryption protocols. This encrypted data is inaccessible despite government agencies holding court-approved search warrants and wiretap orders authorizing access. Technology companies, cryptographers, and privacy advocates have argued for years that allowing such lawful access for government agencies will leave Americans' personal information vulnerable to cyber criminals and nation-state adversaries. These groups have offered alternatives to lawful access, which they argue can stand in lieu of the lawful access government agencies argue should be mandated. This thesis uses a policy options analysis to evaluate the viability of these alternatives to mandated lawful access. This thesis explores law enforcement and intelligence agencies' need for access to encrypted data through a review of incidents in which access proved fruitful and incidents in which lack of access was detrimental to public safety, homeland and national security, criminal investigations, etc. This thesis finds that the alternatives offered in place of lawful access are not adequate in ensuring government agencies are able to fulfill their law enforcement and intelligence missions."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Mack, William R.
2020-09
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Trolls or Threats? Challenges of Alt-Right Extremism to Local Law Enforcement
From the Thesis Abstract: "The alt-right subculture is a relatively new component of online right-wing extremism. Because it is dissimilar from older white nationalist movements and has a perplexing style of communication, the media and public discourse incoherently and inconsistently frame the movement. Due to a lack of consistent background information on the movement, local law enforcement executives have found themselves underprepared for alt-right gatherings in their jurisdictions. This thesis provides agencies with guidance on the alt-right, including a discussion of existing theories of recruitment, self-recruitment, and the acerbic culture. The thesis also provides a comparative case study of mass casualty incidents perpetrated by individuals who openly espoused ideologies linked to the alt-right and movements with significant overlap, such as the manosphere. Finally, based on the theoretical and case study comparative analyses, this thesis concludes that although the movement's popularity is declining, the alt-right remains a threat to homeland security and the ideologies behind it are likely to subsist under another name."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Bobin, Jonathan M.
2020-09
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Perfect Storm: Climate-Induced Migration to the United States
From the Thesis Abstract: "From the Mariel boatlift in the 1980s to the recent mass migration of familial units from the Northern Triangle in 2019, the United States has consistently been unprepared to handle mass migration events. With the world approximately 1.0°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, climatic-driven migration events will now challenge the U.S. borders. This thesis explores how the United States might prepare to handle cross-border climate change-induced migration from a homeland security perspective. Using the research methodology of scenario planning, this study assesses the many ways the future might unfold by focusing on intersecting global megatrends and an array of global warming projections in the year 2050. As a result, this thesis finds that regardless of how the world chooses to combat global warming in the coming decades, migration will continue. If the United States is to prepare for such a future, regional agreements and national legislation will be necessary. In turn, if leveraged correctly, climate migrants can help the United States compete with future emerging economies. This thesis ultimately concludes that a proactive approach to cross-border climate change-induced migration might not only benefit climate migrants but also the future resiliency of United States well into the mid-century."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Wright, Katelin M.
2020-09
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Modeling for Success: Strengthening Homeland Security Through Vocational-Based Offender Programming
From the Thesis Abstract: "Incarceration rates in the United States are among some of the highest in the world, and offenders' returning to confinement is an issue that needs reform. Correctional agencies need to identify programs to prepare offenders for a better chance at a successful reintegration into society. While many methods attempt to reduce recidivism, research shows that unemployed offenders are overwhelmingly more likely to return to prison than offenders who obtain stable, living-wage jobs with advancement opportunities. This thesis investigated vocational-based programs for offenders to identify best practices and potential gaps, as well as program components that support offender success through job skill training. The research methodology consisted of a literature review, qualitative analysis, and a local case study of the Michigan Department of Corrections' Vocational Village program. Because the research uncovered very little information and data for vocational-based training for offenders, this thesis attempted to fill that gap by constructing a conceptual model for vocational program development that starts with a mission statement and ends with continuous program improvement. Using the information contained within this thesis, agencies might construct a tailored model or framework for instituting a vocational-based program."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Travelbee, Brently C.
2020-09
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Lone Actor Terrorists: The Performance of Hegemonic Masculinity Through Acts of Violence
From the Thesis Abstract: "As the United States faces the threat of lone actor terrorism, researchers have struggled to reach a consensus on how to profile these actors and fully understand causation and motivation. The media frequently report attackers' histories of gender-based violence; however, there is a lack of gendered analysis of lone actor terrorism. This thesis explores the role of gender-based violence and hegemonic masculinity in the radicalization and attacks carried out in the United States by post-9/11 lone actor terrorists. It finds that a majority of the attackers experienced stressors related to the performance of hegemonic masculinity, a culturally constructed set of norms that values dominance and accomplishment in terms of wealth, heterosexual romantic partners, and control. This thesis explores these stressors as identity threats in the context of social identity theory. In the absence of group dynamics, it connects referent informational influence to social identity theory concepts and radicalization models for lone actor terrorists. This thesis presents a thematic diagram that coalesces social identity theory with lone actor terrorism, radicalization, and studies of hegemonic masculinity. Furthermore, this thesis finds that collecting data on gender-based violence will be critical to understanding lone actor terrorism and violence prevention strategies."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Windisch, Beth
2020-09
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Prepare to Fight: Is the National Active-Shooter Response Model Due for an Upgrade?
From the Thesis Abstract: "Documenting and analyzing the lessons learned from emergencies are essential to improve the training designed to save lives. The goal of this thesis was to examine actual active-shooter events, training models for the response to active shooters, and emergency drills to determine whether the current training model of Run, Hide, Fight is sufficient or needs revision. This study of historical emergency training examined human responses to frightening situations, analyzed past active-shooter events, evaluated the tactics and strategies of shooters, and measured the effectiveness of the current training. The study found that active-shooter training may be more effective if instructions highlight the importance of constant situational assessment with an emphasis on the fluidity of the incident. Response decisions should change as the event evolves and dictates an appropriate response. Moreover, the evolution of decisions made during the event may increase the survivability rate. The Run, Hide, Fight model is effective, but increasing the importance of constant situational awareness and adaptive decision-making within the training program is recommended. The delivery of active-shooter training should focus less on linear progression--first run, next hide, and then fight--and more on what the situation dictates to be the best response."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Tannenbaum, Suzanne E.
2020-09
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Video Gaming and Behavioral Disorders Associated with Mass Shootings
From the Thesis Abstract: "The recent aftermath of mass shootings in the United States has caused some experts, as well as President Donald Trump, to speculate that a link may exist between violent acts and video gaming. Mass shootings have become a severe problem in America. The National Institute of Justice research has shown that 20 percent of all public mass shootings in the U.S. have occurred between 2014 and 2019. This thesis examines the effects of video gaming on mental health and the link between violent video games and mass shootings, and offers skeptical views by other experts who argue no link exists between mass shootings and video games. Factors associated with violence involving video games and the gamers' behavior may explain what inspires the mass shooters. Although not all video gamers become violent, this thesis contends it is likely individuals with underlying conditions may be vulnerable to committing violent acts by developing internet gaming disorder (IGD)."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ye, Daniel Y.
2020-09
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Subtitleamerica's Three Domestic Threats and the Need for Areform of Domestic Intelligence
From the Thesis Abstract: "The United States today faces three big threats domestically: Jihadist terrorism, Alt-Right terrorism, and great power competition (GPC), which can be characterized from a homeland security perspective as 'great power incursion.' Instead of focusing their efforts on a single threat, such as the Soviet Union during the Cold War, or Al-Qaeda right after 9/11, the current homeland intelligence structure consisting of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies now must focus attention on multiple threats simultaneously. Jihadist terrorism, Alt-Right terrorism, or great power incursion could target the American homeland at any one time, and present DHS, FBI, and SLTT resources may not be enough to effectively combat them all. Under these circumstances, this thesis examines the following research question: In light of these dynamic homeland security threats, is there a need for a new, purely domestic intelligence service in the United States? This thesis discusses these threats and analyzes the current DHS, FBI, and SLTT law enforcement postures toward them. The research conducted for this thesis suggests that the current domestic intelligence agencies are not able to address this new confluence of threats sufficiently. Although no single, new domestic intelligence agency is needed, significant reform is necessary."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Jackson, Matthew L.
2020-09
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Effective Funding Strategy for Washington State Emergency Management Programs
From the Thesis Abstract: "The emergency management program in Washington State is vulnerable because it has no sustainable and stable funding source. This thesis identifies potential state and local funding and allocation methods that can possibly stabilize and sustain Washington State's emergency management programs. Three case studies are conducted in which the funding source, allocation method, and policy strategy are analyzed for each case. Various funding methods can be applied to emergency management programs in the state of Washington. Allocation methods have the potential to exacerbate disparities in communities with low income, high unemployment, or restricted access to services. Policy strategy analysis identifies themes for a successful implementation. A recommendation is for Washington State to establish an Emergency Management Partnership. The partnership can identify critical emergency management services, examine funding needs, and provide a recommendation for implementing critical emergency management services across the state of Washington."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Gillespie, Amy
2020-09
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Beyond the First 48: Incorporating Nontraditional Stakeholders into Incident Response
From the Thesis Abstract: "During a catastrophic attack or cyber-attack on critical infrastructure, how can local emergency management agencies integrate nontraditional stakeholders successfully into incident response operations? A wide variety of stakeholders who are not traditionally involved in incident response will likely be critical at this time--such as human services, the transportation sector, and private-sector entities. This thesis first explores an academic discussion of the current incident response framework, comprising the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). The thesis then uses a scenario based around a large-scale water outage to illustrate the potential cascading impacts and gaps of the status quo framework. The research shows that NIMS and ICS do not effectively incorporate nontraditional stakeholders into incident response operations at the local government level, and that this framework should be reserved for traditional first responders working to stabilize life safety at an incident scene. This study highlights capabilities that local governments should focus on to ensure their organizational readiness to respond to a critical infrastructure outage that may have catastrophic impacts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
McLoughlin, Emily J.
2020-09
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Statewide Access Programs: A Key Component to Eliminating the Post-Disaster Access Challenge
From the Thesis Abstract; "Although the United States has a well-defined incident management doctrine, it fails to fully integrate private sector response capabilities into national and local incident management efforts. The lessons learned from the 2017 Hurricane and Wildfire Season underscored the need to improve coordination with the private sector to better assist communities in responding to and recovering from emergencies. This thesis examines how the implementation of statewide access programs can better integrate private sector response capabilities into state and local disaster management efforts. Furthermore, it explores the purpose of an access program, the importance of access management during emergencies, and common post-disaster access-related challenges. Comparative analysis was used to examine U.S. incident management policies and practices regarding the concept of access management and the benefits associated with using access programs. Although use of an access program offers many benefits, key findings attribute the lack of widespread adoption to multiple factors, ranging from inconsistent policy guidance to inadequate prioritization of private sector access needs during emergencies. Recommendations include enacting state statutes, expanding the business emergency operations center network, developing interoperable access programs, and using federal grant programs to help government at all levels to more effectively integrate the private sector into incident management efforts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Renteria, George
2020-09
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Leveraging Bystander Emergence in Mass Casualty Incidents
From the Thesis Abstract: "Following many recent intentional mass casualty incidents (MCIs), bystanders have come to the rescue, helping those around them. These active bystanders, known as immediate responders, have saved lives by providing immediate care for life-threatening injuries, evacuating victims, and transporting the injured to hospitals. However, immediate responders also tend to overwhelm the closest hospital and inaccurately prioritize victims for treatment. Emergency responders must manage this emergent response to leverage the benefits of the extra help but to avoid unintended consequences. A literature review and analysis of recent MCIs reveals that existing planning assumptions do not account for bystander help; this thesis recommends a new paradigm for MCI management that takes into account the complexity of MCIs, including immediate responder emergence, and includes suggestions for training incident commanders to operate in these novel and complex environments. The thesis also provides recommendations for encouraging bystanders to become immediate responders by creating a helping culture, which can include providing community training and bolstering laws to protect Good Samaritans."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Hodgson, Luke J.
2020-09
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Fast Knowledge: Innovating in Homeland Security by Learning in Near Real-Time for High-Threat Events
From the Thesis Abstract: "Knowledge is critical to the advancement of any organization, yet lessons learned and after-action reports are insufficient to learn from high-threat events by the homeland security enterprise (HSE). What differentiates sub-optimal from meaningful learning is a systemic learning culture and emphasis on sensemaking and speed. This thesis examines effective organizational learning frameworks that can be applied to the HSE to accelerate knowledge acquisition from major events in near real-time. The results demonstrate that speed is not inhibitory to the learning process. Recommendations highlight the need for adaptive change in how the homeland security environment evolves through the creation of an entity responsible for organizational learning. Such an approach would also leverage local learning officers to achieve bi-directionality in a novel knowledge acquisition process. A new framework for learning must also include a process for near real-time data collection and sensemaking, which would require both public-sector incubators as well as advocacy networks within a new systematic learning process. This approach to organizational learning is required so as not to repeat failures and to enable 'fast-learning' as threats and threat actors evolve."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Marino, Michael J.
2020-09
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Fueling the Fire: An Examination of Right-Wing Extremism in the United States Over the Last Decade
From the Thesis Abstract: "In the past decade, American society has witnessed increased violence from a threat it has suffered in the past: right-wing extremism. The question that arises then is why, or more precisely, why now? This thesis explores the factors that led to the resurgence of right-wing extremism in the United States over the past decade. It argues that the resurgence of right-wing violence in America after 2008 is due to a dynamic interplay of contextual factors, including the existence of a subculture of xenophobia and the near-unfettered access to firearms, along with concrete grievances, such as economic anxiety and resentment toward the government. These contextual factors enabled an environment where extremist violence was more likely to occur, and the concrete grievances provided the motivation. The third set of factors that fueled the 2008 right-wing resurgence were the occurrence of several catalytic events including the election of the first African-American president and the shift in societal behavior afforded by social media. These events provided salience to the context and grievances, thereby intensifying the violent reactions by right-wing extremists."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Vitali, Joshua D.
2020-06-12
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International Governance of Non-State Actors in Cyberspace: Is a Single Entity Sufficient for Dispute Resolution?
From the Thesis Abstract: "Cyberattacks by non-state actors have evolved with the speed of technology, leaving governments largely powerless to address emerging threats, partly due to the lack of legal options to dissuade or deter malicious non-state actors. To adequately address the threat, the international community must form legally binding mechanisms to pursue non-state actors similar to the way the world rethought terrorism after 9/11. This thesis rejects a proposed dispute-mitigation recommendation now under consideration by international negotiators--the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, leveraging the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime as its framework--and explores an alternative approach for the international governance of the cyber domain, with due mechanisms established to address the ongoing threat of malicious non-state actors. Numerous stakeholders influence cyber strategies in the U.S. and internationally; therefore, a one-system entity is an ineffective regulatory mechanism. Rather, it should be multi-pronged, multilateral, and comprise a unified approach that includes the UN, NATO, INTERPOL, as well as sanctioned unilateral state processes to achieve optimal outcomes. The Paris Climate Agreement should be referenced as a model for success in garnering support for this governance initiative, utilizing the UN to define the space and develop a clear, well-defined framework leveraging the Budapest Convention and the Tallinn Manual 2.0 encapsulated in an amendable treaty."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Francis, Jaclyn L.
2020-06
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Overcoming Implementation Barriers Within the Fire Service to Reduce Firefighter Cancer Rates
From the Thesis Abstract: "Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths within the United States fire service. This epidemic claims the lives of hundreds of firefighters each year, even though the fire service has developed best practices to prevent occupational cancers. This thesis identifies seven barriers that are preventing fire departments from implementing best practices: fire department culture, firefighters' ignorance of the disease and prevention methods, complacency caused by cancer's long latency periods, funding, pathways to compliance with national and departmental policies, groupthink, and motivation. To explain how fire departments can overcome these barriers, this thesis examines the health and safety efforts that two departments have taken and reviews literature from other fire departments, national fire service organizations, subject-matter experts, researchers, and academic studies. This research shows that when fire departments provide their members with the proper tools, training, education, and awareness, they can rise to the occasion and implement best practices to prevent occupation-related cancer."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Haseney, John J.
2020-06
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Increasing Local Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capacity by Building from Within the Current Infrastructure
From the Thesis Abstract: "State and local public health departments are losing the ability to respond to and protect the community from public health threats. Increase to public health funding follows after an identified threat because current capacity cannot absorb a new mission. Given the decrease in federal funding and subsequent loss of response capacity, how can local public health reconfigure its organizational structure or find alternate sources of funding to maintain or increase current response capacity? This thesis traces the growth of public health from a single program to today's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting state and local health departments through federal grant funds. Using case studies and comparing federal grant awards to the structures of state and local departments, this thesis reveals how reliance on federal funding affects the organization of public health. The research demonstrates the direct correlation between the current structure and a century of funding one program per threat. Reliance on federal grants imperils the United States public health system because state and local departments must reorganize in order to sustain ongoing public health missions. The conclusion includes four recommendations that may improve the overall public health network by modifying funding to a more inclusive process, changing the type of federal grants, restructuring to support larger domains, and increasing state and local budgets to support response capacity."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Castle, Marcus A.
2020-06
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Social Network Analysis: Enhancing Threat Assessments for Targeted Violence
From the Thesis Abstract: "This research applies social network analysis and social identity theory to threat assessment investigations of subjects who commit acts of targeted violence. It provides a framework for understanding the expanding threat of targeted violence and its impact on U.S. homeland security. Statistics on targeted violence in the United States show that incidents are increasing in both frequency and lethality. Traditional studies of targeted violence have focused heavily on the mental state of the 'lone' perpetrator without fully examining the role of social influences. This research incorporates case studies intended to offer insight, increase understanding, and suggest new methods of enhancing the current field of threat assessment for targeted violence cases. The findings of this research recommend new strategies for conducting targeted violence threat assessment investigations utilizing the application of social network analysis and social identity theory. Through an examination of previous targeted violent actors, this research establishes that understanding relevant social conditions can contribute significant clues about an individual's risk of entering a pathway to violence. These clues can be mapped and followed over a period of time to reveal a social withdrawal and loss of restraining relationships."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Vogt, Darren J.
2020-06
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Alt-Right Influence on the Radicalization of White Nationalists in the United States, According to Significance Quest Theory
From the Thesis Abstract: "Reaching national notoriety in the 2016 election season, the Alt-Right embodied the most recent resurgence of white nationalism in the United States. Though it lost momentum with the 2017 'Unite the Right' rally, the Alt-Right's persistence in reaching broad audiences continued online with the adoption of uncensored media platforms like 8chan. The juxtaposition between white-nationalist violence conducted before and after the Alt-Right's national appearance highlights the Alt-Right's ability to attract relatively affluent young white Americans by leveraging fringe media sites to galvanize old white-nationalist ideologies given changing political environments. Where Dylann Roof, a high school dropout, had access only to passive white-nationalist websites that spouted hateful ideologies, John Earnest and Patrick Crusius, both college students, actively participated in uncensored social media platforms on which users motivated each other to commit violence through heated hateful rhetoric and the celebration of attacks on non-whites. In line with Significance Quest Theory--which emphasizes the role of motivation, terrorism-justifying ideologies, and social networks in the radicalization process--the Alt-Right successfully spun violence-justifying white-nationalist ideologies within online social networks to reach disenchanted young white Americans, including those whose futures seemed promising, which culminated in a string of violent attacks in the summer of 2019."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Cullings, Forrest
2020-06
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Examination of Academic Education for Homeland Security
From the Thesis Abstract: "Over the last 19 years, there has been a concerted, multifaceted effort to develop an academic field of Homeland Security. This thesis examined the state of homeland security education to understand the size and characteristics of the field, important to shape future development. Current estimates have significant methodological limitations. There were two questions. First, what are the characteristics and foci of the literature on homeland security education? Second, what are the characteristics of homeland security graduate-degree programs? The first question was answered with a systematic review of 71 articles. The articles were published in homeland security journals, were largely narrative pieces rather than empirical, and mostly focused on homeland security discipline, curriculum or programs. The second question was answered with a review of 110 graduate-level academic programs. There are 58 full degree programs in homeland security-related fields, but only 18 that are exclusively homeland security. Most programs are delivered fully online and require a capstone rather than a thesis. From these analyses are three recommendations. First, the field needs to use stronger empirical research methods. Second, since most programs are delivered online, the field should emphasize educational techniques and outcomes effective in this format. Finally, there needs to be some discussion to clarify the relationship between homeland security and emergency management."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Simons-Rudolph, Joseph M.
2020-06
