can you do 250 word today on homeland security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while responsible for the large scale protection of our nation’s critical infrastructure is not in fact responsible for the overall functionality and day to day operations of these programs. “It is widely understood that over 85% of all critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector. Power grid operators, water treatment specialists, and chemical process engineers are the first to encounter security threats at their particular work stations. These subject matter experts are typically supported by cyber and facility security professionals dedicated to keeping their systems and infrastructure secure. The first line of defense resides outside of government and lands squarely in the hands of private industry. Fortunately, industry has long had the support and interest from DHS”. (Harrell, B. CSOonline, 2017).

The DHS must consider the relationship with the private sectors ability to employ civilian experts in the required fields and ability to create and contribute jobs to the economy as well as the service provided by the infrastructure.

Airports for example while they function as a hub for numerous private airlines and businesses located within the structure the overall security of the traveling public is provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). TSA also oversees contracts of private firms who hold similar responsibilities at airports and ports, this allowing a privatized system in these infrastructures while still allowing the DHS to ensure overall security of the infrastructures and their ability to function securely.

“Public and private owners and operators manage the vast array of critical infrastructure supporting our economy and communities. These facilities provide national critical functions that are so vital to the United States that their disruption, corruption, or dysfunction would have a debilitating effect on the Nation’s security, economy, and public health and safety’. (Department of Homeland security strategic plan fiscal Years 2020-2024).

While TSA ensures the safety and security of our nation’s infrastructures, some are run and function off a civilian work force and oversight, this allowing a key relationship between the federal and private sectors.

References:

Department of Homeland Security, 2019, the DHS strategic plan fiscal years 2020-2024. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf

Cyber Security and Infrastructure security Agency, 2020. https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors

Harrell, B. 2019. The private sector is the key to success for the Department of Homeland Security. https://www.csoonline.com/article/3161793/the-private-sector-is-the-key-to-success-for-the-department-of-homeland-security.html