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

Critical Analysis of Text Book Introduction The book Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection has been written by Pamela A. Collins and Ryan K. Baggett. The book basically provides an expert opinion on the overall infrastructure and how it is currently and in future should be protected. A nation’s political, social and economic system forms the basis for the whole country to stands upon systems. These are backed by the critical infrastructure; that includes all the assets whether physical or virtual which are extremely significant to running of a society. An adverse effect on these would have a direct effect on the security, economy, politics and social atmosphere of the nation. These include the agriculture, transportation, telecommunication, finance, banks, emergency and health services etc. in an economy. The volume gives a deeper insight in to the nation’s infrastructure and the fallbacks amongst its security. Not only does it point out the weaknesses it also offers the solutions to further prevent damage in future or in defense to any outside attack by terrorists. The hardback by expert authors on the subject of importance of infrastructure and it’s relation to homeland security enriches the knowledge about what is going on around in the nation, about the components of the infrastructure as well as the loopholes in its protection and security. It is the only book available which gives an inclusive overview of the critical infrastructure and its protection in a single volume. It covers a wide array of infrastructure like transportation, agriculture, banking, energy etc. It highlights the current fallbacks in the security system, plans for protection and the plans to keep the infrastructure which is critical protected in the future from every peril and hazard. In the first section of the book, the authors provide a complete understanding from basics like the summarized background of the Homeland Security Department, the development and growth of US critical infrastructure, key legislation review, presidential directions as well as the method to assess the infrastructure. In its second section it further looks into sectors or departments in national infrastructure which are federally identified. The third section of this complete guide attempts to explain the idea all hazards as well as the four basic pillars that make up homeland security that are to prevent, then prepare, respond the last being recover. It will enlighten the reader with a lot of things about the critical infrastructure that should be commonly known yet majority is unaware of. It signifies how the protection of this critical infrastructure is the highest priority of the department of homeland security. The different ways that are used for its protection comprise of the security systems as well as the measures which are standard. On top of that it also uses the sharing of information, the intelligence, buffer zones, continuous planning as well as the public and the private partnerships for protecting these crucial assets. The authors also in the book make the more crucial infrastructure which faces a higher degree of threat their focal point. They not only analyze the current security of those but also make recommendations as to what should be done in future to ensure the safety of these assets. The book is compelling and a complete guide on its subject. It completely indulges the reader and goes in an orderly sequence. It starts from infrastructure protection legislation, the national plan and its assessment to making the reader realize importance of each critical infrastructure and finally to the destruction incorrect decisions could cause. That includes the destructive outcome of geological hazards, natural disasters and the weapons of mass destruction. It also includes a detailed list of acronyms. It makes the reader aware of the extreme importance of security against terrorist attacks that is associated with what may seem like basic necessitates to population in form of critical infrastructure. Critical review – Strength and Weaknesses This volume of Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection provides a thrilling insight to the significance and protection of critical infrastructure and its basis as nations political, social and economic systems. The significance of this knowledge is not only limited to policy makers but is also critical to any student. The youth too needs to be well informed about our overall economy and its defense to carry it forward in future. This book is certainly recommended for all mature readers. It offers the readers new perspectives, one they might never have given thought to before; it has its distinctive scientific approach regarding the issue of protection of the critical infrastructure. The authors have used the theory or network as well as optimization and the software for simulation to do the analysis and derive understanding of the evolution of different sectors of infrastructure, what makes them vulnerable and the most effective means to their protection. The book demonstrates how the sectors of critical infrastructure which seem to be so diverse and unrelated like the telecommunication, water, energy, internet etc. can have structures which are strikingly similar to each other. This conclusion that leads to an approach which rigorously analyses of features that is vulnerable in all the sectors of infrastructure. The analyst is then to decide what is the optimal way or strategy to use the funds that are already limited to minimize the risk factor regardless of the sector of industry it is present in. At the time this book was written it coincided with the important revisions made to the documents and guidelines which were put forward by the Homeland security Department. This book is a must read to bring the reader in the real factual world and the crisis that can occur if the right steps are not ensured. This book addresses multiple subjects at a time. It can be used in reference to Law, Economics, and Social sciences, Political science etc. it deals with all of them and is thus a great reference linked to any of these subjects. Being the only single volume comprehensive work on works of homeland security related to infrastructure its importance is crucial. To understand its importance look at it this way, what would happen to a nation if there is no telecommunication service, no transportation, banking or even worse clean water. That is why these critical infrastructures make such a crucial aspect of the Political, social and economic system. If there is a serious disorder amongst them it will cause major consequences and spillover effects. This level of dependency on these makes their security a paramount issue. The significance of this book is thus vital as it offers the overview of the current weaknesses, the plans of protection and gaps in security; it reviews the different systems which are in order now and their condition in future if the resources and infrastructure needs to be protected from any form of attacks by the terrorists. The security and protection of these infrastructures is a primary issue for homeland security department which include the food and agriculture, energy, transportation, telecommunication, finance etc. The authors of this book have focused on the most crucial aspects which face threat of serious nature and their analysis on their protection and the recommendations for their future security. Conclusion The book Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection is a must read for all the students as it refers to one of the most important topics. The students should know how important is the infrastructure of the nation and its security is. If this book is included in the course, the students will definitely go through it and it will open their minds that where they are living, and what is around them. As the book shows, infrastructure develops the social, political and economic condition of the country, and if the infrastructure is in danger, it can cause danger to many other areas as well. Students should divert their mind towards some important aspects of their nation, infrastructure being one of them. It also brings out to the students what terrorists want to do to their infrastructure, and why it is important to protect it. Everyone should contribute towards the protection of the infrastructure and by giving this knowledge to the students; they will understand their role towards the nation as well. This book, being one of the only ones of its kind, will play a major role in spreading awareness amongst the students about the political, social and economic conditions of their nation. These issues need serious consideration and this consideration will be successful when people are aware of the problems and threats that are seen in this sector. Such books will always be beneficial for the students and will reach to a wide audience, starting from the students who study it as a course book. They are in the best position and are the future of the society thus they should be the first ones to whom these issues should reach. As the author states in the book, “Build a safer, more secure, and more resilient America by enhancing protection to prevent, deter, neutralize, or mitigate the effects of deliberate efforts by terrorists to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit them; and to strengthen national preparedness, timely response, and rapid recovery in the event of an attack, natural disaster, or other emergency (chapter 1).” Therefore, I highly recommend this book to be used as a course book for the young students. There can be no reason why such a useful and informative book should not be included in the course of students. In my opinion, this book holds immense value as is contributes greatly in the provision of National Security and Homeland Security. Many countries have areas in which they are very strong, and they become the first target of the terrorists. For America, their infrastructure is their strength as they have many buildings that hold immense value in the political, social and economic wellbeing of the country. The provision of National Security means the protection given to the national interests of the nation through the federal government and I think this book provides access to the national interests of the country to the students and the public citizens. They should know the value of the national interests that their country holds, and that will help them to be able to value their national interests from their hearts. On the other hand the book tells about the Homeland Security which refers to the private citizens along with the government to be prepared for the threats. This means that this book can play a vital role in preparing the citizens, the students, against natural and man-made threats. Spreading awareness against the threats would help the students to be able to understand the value of their National Infrastructure. The author writes, “Homeland Security refers to efforts not only on the part of the federal government, but also on the states, local authorities, and their communities as well as the private sector to secure the United States against both man-made and natural threats. (chapter1)” To make it easier for the students and to provide them easy ways of understanding, the book shows many tables and classifies the topics of concern. There are many tables which include the table for the electricity plants throughout the country, the table for scheduled airline travel etc. The book is valuable because it contributes greatly towards the easy understanding, and evaluation of the data. Moreover, it relates and talks about many of the infrastructural facilities that are provided to the public citizens, and also many of the interests that it fulfills. The examples that are shown in the book are very helpful for the students as it makes the learning and understanding easier. The book is up-to-date showing the recent researches and the actions taken in order to protect these national interests in the past years. The book is of great value to the Homeland Security Community, as it covers a wide range of infrastructural activities that will contribute towards the benefit of the society. It covers many subjects in one book and there is no other book like this. It is very important to have such a book as a course book for the young students. Thus, I strongly recommend this book as being a valuable piece of writing for all the students as their course book to enhance their knowledge, information, analysis and evaluation skills. References Collins, P. and Baggett, R. (2009). Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure. US: ABC-CLIO Read More