The Potential Threat of Deliberate Biological Attacks against the U.S - Coursework Example

Homeland Security Homeland Security Suppose that you were a terrorist who had managed to access all the material for this seminar -- class lessons, Conference discussions, research papers, and exams. What five vulnerabilities/weaknesses would you put on your priority list for possible exploitation? Provide the rationale and an explanation for your choices. Dont hesitate to include some details and references to support your choices. If I were to be a terrorist and had access to all the important material for the seminar regarding class lessons, conference discussions, research papers and exams I would put prioritize the following visible vulnerabilities. I would prioritize the lags in air cargo security, lack of farm/food related security and surveillance, US bio-emergency response measures, US water supply and security modalities in the banking sector. These five departments are prone to be exploited. Strict security measures were brought to the surface after the 9/11 attacks on The World Trade Centers. Lags are still present in the air cargo security system which proves to be a challenge for TSA. These lagging factors have hindered TSA from reaching the accpectable security level. A previous study conducted in 2011 by GAO found that TSA has shortcomings in the security levels and they do not have a mechanism to portray the accurate functioning in domestic and inbound cargo screening. The study also pointed out that TSA had compromised technology due to which they could not screen cargos once they were loaded. Another weakness that is worth exploitation is lack of farm/food related security and surveillance. America is an agricultural country and farming is done extensively. Due to the high percentage of farming there is an evident chance of infection of food materials with pathogens. Many reports have shown defective screening and inspection plants. These defective measures were proven in Chalk’s paper which pointed out that food processing plants were insecure. Chalk also explains in his paper that food processing plants are present throughout the country but they lack in quality and standard (Chalk, 2004). Another weakness that exploits United States’ security is their inability to deal with bio-emergencies. In his article of 2004 Chalk states that USDA is deficient in resources to deal with agro-terrorism threats and no visible efforts have been made in ESA (Emergency Supplementary Assistance). In the report Chalk further states that United States needs to increase the force of skilled personnel who could treat animal diseases. A risk factor of untrained people is the spread of a disease leading to increased contamination (Chalk, 2004). Attacking the water supply can also be done by terrorists because they are a weak variable. The weakness could have a negative impact on the country’s economy. As a terrorist I would attack the water supplies present in the communities as they are not included to take any risk reduction measures under the Bioterrorism Act (GAO, 2005). Reports suggest that a majority of water delivery system dates back to the Second World War (CNN, 2011). The water system being old is prone to exploitation. Lastly, the security systems of banks can easily be targeted. Financial sectors and companies are always a weak point and can be targeted by terrorists. A successful attack would result in financial losses, frauds and exposure of customer information. 2. Assume you are the new Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission (WSSC) Administrator for the Washington DC metropolitan area.  Your water system uses the Potomac River, natural springs, wells, and other sources for its water. Chemicals purify the water that is stored in large, open reservoirs. Water systems in metropolitan areas are possible terrorist targets according to DHS. Youve had major water pipe breaks in DC and MD. Several sophisticated new office buildings have had water problems resulting in back pressure forcing liquids out of the structures back into the WSSC fresh water systems. These incidents could be a template for a future terrorist attack on the system. What would be your top three priorities to ensure the overall security of your water system? Please provide your rationale for your choices. As a public servant, you are keenly aware that the budget is finite and that you are responsible for spending the dollars wisely. The local press -- The Washington Post  -- will certainly review your choices for effectiveness and financial soundness Water is a universal need for all humans and animals. Water supplies are easy targets for terrorists as they are easily accessible. Terrorists either directly attacks water supplies or they release poisonous chemicals into it for contamination purposes. Microbiological contaminants, organic and inorganic compounds can be released by terrorists in to the water supplies. By doing this the water becomes unapproachable for people and the standard of living is compromised. Security can be provided to the water supplies by various ways. Firstly, access should be denied to water supplies. This can be done by controlling the water supply facilities. The water supplies can also be monitored closely by installing cameras and detectors. Water treatment chemicals should always be available at water plants. These methods could strengthen the infrastructure. Secondly, protection of extensive pipelines can be done by increasing security personnel at water plants. Thirdly, an “early warning system” could be introduced to eradicate the spread of contaminants. Early monitoring system could monitor the possible threats and would decrease chances of further contamination (Gleick, 2006). 3. The recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami on May 11, 2011 was a major disaster that highlighted the challenges of cascading problems in the critical infrastructure, i.e. a failure in one sector affects the other sectors. What were the important lessons learned about the interdependencies of the various critical infrastructures, e.g., Agriculture and Food, Chemical, Dams, Energy, Transportation Systems, and Water? What should the US First Responders do to prepare for a similar situation?  The lessons learnt after the incidence of the Tsunami were the effects on infrastructure of Japan. Japan’s economy was greatly affected and there was great loss to human and physical capital. The earthquake damaged power supply of large cities like Tokyo. Tokyo experienced a shortfall in electricity supply and the electric grid showed decreased electricity production. The earthquake and tsunami greatly affected the country’s economy and Japan since the earthquake has not been able to contribute to the global GDP. The value of the yen has been increasing due to intervention of G-7 countries. The combination of tsunami and earthquake took Japan by toll as they led to electricity shortfalls and gas shortage. Chemical and manufacturing sectors experienced plant closures due to structural damage and transportation issues. These led to defective safety efforts. Big businesses such as Toshiba, Sony, Nippon, Nissan and Hitachi were greatly effected which further affected the economy (Nanto, 2011). A natural disaster occurs due to physical, climatological or technological events that affect the physical weak points of a country. A disaster leads to a chain of events which are mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery (Lindell et al, 2001). First response to a disaster can be provided by commencement of developmental processes that would initiate motivation of people. By this people would be prepared for natural disasters. These solutions could conceptualize preparedness and lower risk factors (Paton, 2003). United States being a big country needs to learn from the negative effects that rocked Japan’s economy. The government needs to implement a disaster planning plan with accordance of the people. If God forbid such a catastrophe effects the US it will have a negative effect on the country’s economy and will also have effect on the world’s economy. 4. The country needs new technology to protect our Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources from terrorist attacks or from natural incidents.  The DHS Science and Technology has recently released its latest version of "High-Priority Technology Needs (May 2009)."  Given the discussions in this course about leveraging technology research and development, what would be your top five priorities to improve the safety and security of agriculture from the farm to the table for inclusion in the next version of this report? Provide specifics and the rationale for your choices. My top most priorities to counter these problems would be improving level of security on agricultural fronts such as farms, education and training of employees at plant, regular screening of food facilities, surveillance programs for contaminant detection and enforcement of food regulatory standards. Goetz, 2011 informs in his paper that workers at food processing plants need to be educated on sanitation and waste. The famers and workers at plants are the ones who are exposed to the agricultural goods first hence they should improve security of food items. USDA has set standards by the name of Good Agricultural Practices which helps farmers to prevent spread of contamination (Goetz, 2011). GAP certification includes hindrance of unhealthy workers to touch food items, testing of water used for irrigation purposes. Keeping the livestock in clean places, records of which crops are planted where, harvesting details about crops and information about their sale. Regular inspection on food facilities would help in ensuring that the workers are on track and facilities are fully sanitized. The surveillance system could also be expanded to detect the contaminants in the water supplies. Systems such as Pulsenet are present which detect outbreaks of diseases. Recently, FDA has taken steps for prevention of outbreaks of certain food borne diseases. Two projects, one for processed foods and the other for produce, will be conducted by the Institute of Food Technologists at the direction of the FDA (FDA, 2011). Lastly, food regulation standards should be implemented and enforced to bring about uniform change in all of the food processing plants and farms. The current standards are confusing and misinterpreted by people. I would work to make sure that people understand the food regulations so confusion is avoided. If violators are found they should be fined. References Chalk, P. (2004). Hitting Americas soft underbelly: The potential threat of deliberate biological attacks against the U.S. agricultural and food industry: The RAND Corporation. Retrieved from  http://rand.org/pubs/monographs/2004/RAND_MG135.pdf FDA. (2011). FDA Goal: Quickly tracing tainted foods. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm270923.htm Gleick, P. H. (2006). Water and terrorism. Water policy, 8(6), 481-503. Retrieved from http://www2.pacinst.org/reports/water_and_terrorism_2006.pdf Goetz, G. (2011). Bridging the GAP: Bringing big food safety regulations to small farms. Retrieved from http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/10/bridging-the-gaps-bringing-big-food-safety-regulations-to-small-farms/ Government Accountability Office. (2005). Protection of chemical and water infrastructure: Federal requirements, actions of selected facilities, and remaining challenges (No. GAO-05-327). Retrieved from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05327.pdf  Kosik, A. (2011). Experts: U.S. water infrastructure in trouble. Building up America. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/01/20/water.main.infrastructure/index.html Nanto, D. K. (Ed.). (2011). Japan’ s 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami: Economic Effects and Implications for the United States. DIANE Publishing. Retrieved from http://books.google.fr/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Ih7Hip-RcgAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=effect+of+Tsunami+on+Japan%27s+infrastructure&ots=FtzhRj5Vfr&sig=7lgix6Zwm7IGjSijxqMJVjqKptc#v=onepage&q=effect%20of%20Tsunami%20on%20Japans%20infrastructure&f=false Paton, D. (2003). Disaster preparedness: a social-cognitive perspective.Disaster prevention and management, 12(3), 210-216. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=871026&show=abstract Read More