Andrew Langstaff
Liberty University
HLSC500 Foundations of Homeland Security
Discussion Thread: Understanding Critical Infrastructure
Dr. John Bentley
Critical infrastructure represents “systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the
United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a
debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or
any combination of those matters.” (NIPP, 2013, p. 7). These critical infrastructures serve as the
backbone of our nation’s economy, security, and health. In other words, critical infrastructure is
what drives our nation, and if left vulnerable and then exploited by other nations, groups, or
individuals, it will have a significant impact on national security and the well-being of the
citizens within. “There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks,
whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or
destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national
public health or safety, or any combination thereof.” (CISA).
1. Chemical Sector
2. Commercial Facilities Sector
3. Communications Sector
4. Critical Manufacturing Sector
5. Dams Sector
6. Defense Industrial Base Sector
7. Emergency Services Sector
8. Energy Sector
9. Financial Services Sector
10. Food and Agriculture Sector
11. Government Facilities Sector
12. Healthcare and Public Health Sector
13. Information Technology Sector
14. Nuclear Reactors, Materials, Waste Sector
15. Transportation Systems Sector
16. Water and Wastewater Systems Sector
When discussing which critical infrastructure is the most vulnerable, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) uses a risk assessment or the nature of risk to determine vulnerability.
This is simply separated into three categories: “threat, or the likelihood of a type of attack that
might be attempted; vulnerability, or the likelihood that an attacker would succeed with a
particular attack method; and consequence, or the potential impact, individually or collectively,
of a particular attack.” (Nemeth, 2017, p. 139). With this in mind, the most vulnerable critical
infrastructure in terms of the nature of risk in the United States is the communication sector. The
communication sector is an “integral component of the U.S. economy, underlying the operations
of all businesses, public safety organizations, and government. Presidential Policy Directive 21
identifies the Communications Sector as critical because it provides an “enabling function”
across all critical infrastructure sectors.” (CISA). The ramifications of a disruption in
communications turns into a domino effect on life and commerce. This can be the result from a
number of factors, whether it be natural, human-cause, or accidental/technical. More specifically,
the threat, vulnerability, and consequence from the new and evolving cyber threat.
How would you enhance security regarding this type of infrastructure? Through non-structural
mitigation strategies. Non-structural mitigation strategies are completed through preparedness or
planning for the event, whereas structural is more physical in nature. These non-structural
communication strategies would encompass more collaboration, allocation of resources, and just
enhanced training. More collaboration would identify and address shared goals. Allocation of
resources in turn helps mitigate cyber threats. Lastly, training should never stop, subject matter
experts on the growing threat must continue to develop and revise plans.
Are our borders secured? To simply put it, no, our borders are not secured. “With nearly 7000
miles of American border,” (Nemeth, 2017, p. 362) it is virtually impossible to secure our border.
Though technology and other tools such as aircraft make it easier for border security to go about
their business, the lack of support that the border security receives is still a factor. Border Patrol
is woefully undermanned. Is it important to secure our borders? Absolutely. Or else there would
be more terrorist attacks. Border patrol and immigration personal targets and apprehends these
individuals before they ever step in the United States. What would you propose to better secure
our borders? More personnel would lead to better security of the border. This can be
accomplished by retention of personnel through better funding or more collaboration from other
departments and agencies to assist on a daily basis and not just in a state of emergency.
Biblical Verse
Numbers 32:17 says, “But we will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we
have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities,
for protection from the inhabitants of the land.”
References
National Infrastructure Protection Plan (2013). Retrieved from
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-infrastructure-protection-
plan-2013-508.pdf
Nemeth, C. P. (2017). Homeland security: An introduction to principles and practices (3rd ed.).
Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis (CRC Press). ISBN: 9781498749091.
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