Homeland Security

What common protocols and procedures might form the basis for major infrastructure security planning across such diverse entities as transit, water, borders, and financial institution? What might be some of the unique features for those plans by sector?

Transit

Since the events of 9/11, the transportation industry both air and land have identified many vulnerabilities that make them a prime target for terrorist attacks. Although, terrorist have always targeted airlines as a preferred means to carry out terrorist acts, in recent years we have seen an increase of the use of public transportation as a new form to bring terror a step closer to home. Attacks such as the London and Madrid bombing among others have triggered an enormous effort to develop better security planning and procedures. In 2007, congress passed the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act (DHS, 2017). The TSA has developed a Baseline Assessment and Security Enhancement (BASE) program, with more than 200 questions for reviewing a transit system’s security and emergency preparedness posture (DHS, 2010). This BASE program has been able to identified and make corrective actions to the most vulnerable points.

Water

H20, the most vital element for any living organism has always ranked as one of the top priorities for survival, especially during a crisis. The Department of Health and Human Services have identified the importance of keeping water supply readily available not only in the case of any natural disaster but at all times. Natural disaster such as Katrina prompted DHS and its agencies to coordinate a better course of action with the shortage of water supplies. Lessons learned from Katrina made it possible to be more prepared when Hurricane Sandy hit the coast of NJ and NY in 2012. Congress passed the Bioterrorism Act of 2002, where in Title IV “Drinking Water Security and Safety were addressed as such: “Each community water system serving a population of greater than 3,300 persons...