Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection - Book Report/Review Example

? Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Book Summary In the book “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection” Collins and Bagget (2009), attempts to critically examine the current gaps in the American homeland security strategies and the potential ways of protecting the critical security infrastructure from any risk. With particular emphasis to the contemporary vulnerabilities of our security system as well as to the threats of terrorist attacks, the book also offers a comprehensive review of the security options in the future. The first few chapters focus on the background of the US department of homeland security as well as the evolution of the various critical federal security infrastructures. These chapters also review a number of relevant legislative acts, key presidential directives and the ways of assessing the current American security infrastructure. On the other hand, the book comprehensively highlights the key political, social and economic systems whose disruption can result in significant harm to the American homeland security. Consequently the authors suggest that homeland security strategies should always be designed to ensure the safety of these key resources and infrastructure. The next group of chapters discusses the significant sectors of the federal infrastructures. Some of the key infrastructures covered include banking and finance, agriculture and food, telecommunications, energy and the transport industry. Collins and Bagget (2009) further assert that one of the vital concerns of the homeland security apparatuses is to protect these infrastructures and address their vulnerabilities to security risks such as terrorist attacks. The security measures discussed include the implementation of standardized security systems, enhanced intelligence system, partnerships with the private sector, establishment of security buffer zones and improved information and intelligence sharing among various federal agencies. Generally each of critical infrastructures demands specific measures of guaranteeing their future safety. The third section of the book “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection” dwells on the various security concepts. In this section, the authors also focuses on the four major pillars of our homeland security which are mainly preventing security related hazards, risk preparedness, response to the security challenges and the recovery process from any potential harm to the national critical infrastructures. The two authors further suggest that the current homeland security risks are both natural and manmade threats or hazards such terrorist attacks, hurricanes, cyber intrusions, earthquakes and accidents. Consequently addressing the security of the critical infrastructure demands strategies and plans that balance the traditional American resilience with informed risk prevention and preparedness mechanisms. In this regard, the implementation of such plans will in turn require effective partnerships between the private and public sectors both at the federal, state and regional levels. For example the two authors argue that the Federal, state and regional agencies all have their unique roles to play in providing security to the national critical infrastructure. These unique roles have in turn resulted in different approaches that are dependent on the needs of critical infrastructure being taken. The approaches are however brought together by their common goal of managing the potential homeland security risks and responding to the emerging threats to the American society. Strengths and weaknesses of the book Although the book has a few inconsistencies with regard to how thee authors have attempted to address some of the current homeland security risks, it has however effectively covered most of the challenges facing the contemporary political, social and economic systems in the United States. Some of the strengths of the book include the fact that it comprehensively examines the nature of the current threats to US homeland security as well as our preparedness to address these threats. By citing numerous cases of terrorist attacks in the past, Collins and Bagget (2009) also offers a critical analysis of both the present and the future preparedness of the Country to deal some of its homeland security challenges such as bioterrorism in the US soil. The book has also effectively highlighted the major weaknesses of our critical infrastructure while at the same time making important recommendations on how to effectively improve them. Some of the recommendations cited in the book can significantly be implemented to enhance America’s preparedness to face some of the threats to its homeland security. Another important strength of the book is that the authors seem to have properly researched on the linkages between the various threats to critical infrastructure and our current defenses. Consequently this has enabled them to highlight some of the effective strategies and security plans that need to be implemented to enhance the security of these critical infrastructures. The two authors further caution that failure to address some of the highlighted security gaps may mot only inhibit priority setting but increase the susceptibility of our homeland security to these threats. Additionally the book “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection” has also employed the use of a large number of primary and secondary sources information to document the progress in our homeland security as well as how American responses to security threats have evolved to the present times. For example in response to some of the past security threats to our critical infrastructures such as the Hurricane disasters, the book documents how some of the emergency simulation exercises have improved American response to such events. On the other hand, there are also some of the performance deficiencies that have been observed during the conduct of such simulation exercises. Finally the book has effectively examined the key elements of protecting the critical infrastructures, planning, resilient strategies and risk management. Some of the security strategies covered in the book includes prioritization and proper risk analysis, sharing of critical security information between government agencies and the formation of public-private sector partnerships. By offering a critical analysis of these fundamental building blocks of homeland security, the authors provides a unique perspective of an all hazards management approach to the security threats facing our national critical security infrastructures. There are however a few notable weaknesses in the book. For example, the book only discuses the homeland security challenges and responses that existed before the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on the US soil. This is a major weakness since most of the American homeland security plans and strategies have since then been redesigned to incorporate the emerging forms of terrorist attacks. It is also evident that the authors have failed to discuss some of the emerging threats to homeland security such as the rising unemployment and cases of social inequalities such as uneven distribution of wealth. By only focusing on the external threats to the national critical infrastructures such as terrorist attacks, the book has failed to address some of the internal factors that may threaten our homeland security. Generally social inequalities often result in the development of unstable societies if not properly addressed. Currently the American critical infrastructures are increasingly facing a number of internal threats such as the rising exploitation by greedy corporate organizations and corrupted bureaucracy. Additionally the book has narrowly covered the effects of the current global warming on our food supply in particular and homeland security in general. Recommendations Despite the few weaknesses of the book “Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection”, I strongly recommend its continued use as an important reference book in the course. This is particularly because the book has effectively covered the background of the US homeland security issues and the authors have taken a broader view of some of the challenges of mitigating the security risks and attaining emergency preparedness. In this regard, the book is significantly important in enhancing the awareness of the students in areas such as integrating strategies and policies to mitigate the current security threats to critical infrastructures. In my opinion, the book is one of the few texts books on homeland security which offers a comprehensive thematic coverage of the current threats of terrorist attacks as part of as part of the US security response. With the many chapters and case studies on a number of homeland security related subjects the book provides an opportunity to comprehend the homeland security challenges not only to students but also to policymakers, lawyers and industry professionals. Finally I believe that the book will remain relevant for many years to come and this is particularly because most of the issues and challenges addressed by the authors are likely to remain unchanged for years to come. References Collins, P., Baggett, R. (2009).Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection. Westport: Praeger Security International. Read More