Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection - Essay Example

? Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection: A Critical Review HOMELAND SECURITY AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION: A CRITICAL REVIEW Homeland Security and Infrastructure Protection is a book by Pamela Collins and Ryan Baggett that takes a critical look at United State’s infrastructure, as well as the manner in which this infrastructure needs to be protected. The critical infrastructures in the United States include those aspects that the country relies on strongly in terms of its social, political, and economic systems (Collins & Baggett, 2009). Any malicious and serious disruptions to this critical infrastructure would lead to considerable and significant harm to the country. In the book, the authors provide a compelling look, through a study of the infrastructure’s current vulnerabilities, security gaps, and plans for its protection, of the systems that have been put in place. They also discuss the options that the United States has for the future, all to keep this critical infrastructure, which is vital resources, safe from attacks from both internal and external terrorists (Collins & Baggett, 2009). Various critical infrastructures, including telecommunications, energy, water, distribution of food, and agriculture, are discussed in the book as aspects of the United States’ social, political, and economic systems (Collins & Baggett, 2009). The first five chapters take on giving a condensed view of the American Department of Homeland Security. They also take a broad look at how critical infrastructure within the United States has evolved over the years, reviews important and key legislations made by the US legislature with regards to the infrastructure, directives made by the head of state concerning the infrastructure, and approach the country as a whole takes when assessing its infrastructure. The next five chapters delve into the national infrastructural sectors that the federal government identifies as being of critical importance. Finally, the third part of their book discusses all the hazards to critical infrastructure and their concepts, as well as homeland security’s four pillars. These four pillars include prevention, preparedness, prevention, and recovery (Collins & Baggett, 2009). The book is divided into three main sections with the first section made up of the first five chapters. In this section, the authors deal with what role prevention plays in securing the country’s critical infrastructure. The manner in which the country strives to ensure America is secure and safe is through enhancing the protection of their critical infrastructure to neutralize, deter, prevent, or even mitigate any efforts by terrorists to exploit or destroy them (Collins & Baggett, 2009). Accordingly, the authors explain that this is done through legislation and directives from the executive branch. In addition, the section also discusses plans put, in place, to protect the country’s infrastructure, the roles played by the private and public sectors in coming up with a national strategy for infrastructure protection, and the manner in which their overall effectiveness is assessed (Collins & Baggett, 2009). The second section of the book sees the authors move further to give a detailed view of the particular critical infrastructure. According to the authors, critical infrastructure can be divided into six overall categories that are distinct but interdependent. Energy systems are the first category discussed with the authors placing hydroelectric power, nuclear reactors, and fossil fuels in the category (Collins & Baggett, 2009). Their second category is the transportation sector that includes air transport, rail transport, road transport, and water or marine transport. National icons and facilities are also defined as a category, as is the environment, which includes water infrastructure, food, and agriculture. Electronic transmissions including cyber space is also discussed as a category. Finally, public safety and its importance as a critical infrastructure are discussed with emphasis on its importance in ensuring the safety of the other critical infrastructure (Collins & Baggett, 2009). In the latter chapters of the book, the author’s focus their attention on approaches taken by the Department of Homeland Security with regards to hazards. The Department of Homeland Security has contingency plans for accidents, weather and geological disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction (Collins & Baggett, 2009). By addressing the issues faced by the DHS, the book creates a clear picture of the various threats that are faced by the United States. While it is argued that there are no WMDs in the country that can be used for terrorist purposes, the authors still go on to discuss the likelihood of terrorists introducing them into the country and how the DHS can and should act to deal with the threat (Collins & Baggett, 2009). The book comes at a time when the Department of Homeland Security has effected significant alterations and revisions to documents, as well as vital guidelines. Given the fact that the two authors have an affiliation with Kentucky University’s Center for Justice and Safety, the book has a credible feel. This is one of the books biggest strength, particularly the fact that it is done by two experts in security matters who also provide what is a comprehensive look at the country’s infrastructure, as well as how the country should go about protecting it. The book also takes on various infrastructures such as banking, agriculture, energy, and transportation, which are all difficult to get in one volume discussed to such lengths. The book also considers the actions that the various players in national security, both private and public, are doing to protect the infrastructure, as well as what they need to be doing to protect it. Rather than just discuss the current measures, in place, to protect critical infrastructure, the book makes recommendations, which is helpful in understanding the current situations with regards to infrastructural protection. In addition, the book also discusses the issues from different perspectives, which allows the reader to make his/her own conclusion. Homeland Security and Infrastructure Protection delivers what is a complete and compelling look at all the systems, which the country has in place at present, which is essential if it is to protect its critical resources from sabotage. This is with a view of the current vulnerabilities that the country’s critical infrastructure faces, as well as the plans put, in place, to protect it. Through taking the critical infrastructures discussed earlier, and focusing on their protection, the book illuminates the work of the Department of Homeland Security in a manner that is almost unprecedented. Through comprehensive discussions about the DHSs primary concern, which is the protection of critical infrastructure and national resources, the book allows for a critical look into the workings of the DHS. The authors also give a concise and clear explanation of the methods that the DHS uses in protection of the infrastructure, including partnerships between the public and private sector, continuity-planning, buffer zones, sharing of information, and standard measures and systems for security. The only negative aspects about the book are that it is too long, covers a very wide area, and has too many abbreviations used that require one to keep referring to the glossary. In addition, some of the recommendations given in the book do not seem workable. Through deciding to cover the entire scope of critical infrastructure, the book tends to confuse the reader, especially if one is looking for quick facts. However, this very reason also forms part of the book’s appeal because it is so detailed. Almost anything, a student would wish to know about the critical infrastructure in the United States, and the role of the Department of Homeland Security in protecting it is included in the book in varying detail. Overall, the book will be very helpful for a majority of the course as a reference. Finally, this book provides a detailed and complete view of critical infrastructure in the US than most books do in various volumes. It would be perfect for carrying out background information if a student requires carrying out research on this topic. For this reason, I would recommend that this book continue to be in use for the remainder of this course. It would be an excellent book to use for research and, for this reason, would be a recommendation to the class. Finally, the book is valuable to the homeland security community, particularly because it offers a comprehensive overview of critical infrastructure, the hazards that face it, and plans in place to protect it, whereas also making recommendations on additional security. Reference Collins, P. A., & Baggett, R. K. (2009). Homeland security and critical infrastructure protection. Westport : Praeger Security International. Read More