Introduction to Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure
Order ID 53563633773 Type Essay Writer Level Masters Style APA Sources/References 4 Perfect Number of Pages to Order 5-10 Pages Description/Paper Instructions
Introduction to Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure
Dute 3/07/2018
Essay Exam
- Please include a cover sheet with the course title, a sub-title of “Mid-Term Essay Exam,” and the date of submission.
- Select and respond to one question from each session, for a total of five responses.
- Make sure to indicate which questions you selected by using the same, corresponding numbers with your responses (e.g., #2, 4, 6, 7, 9) so that I can easily match up your responses with the proper questions. Please don’trepeat or restate the questions.
- Your responses should be clear, complete, succinct and substantive, addressing all of the main themes, elements or sub-questions in each overall question selected.
- Your own critical thinking and analysis should be supported by evidence of research in appropriatesources such as assigned or supplementary sources used in this course, or from other scholarly/authoritative sources found in your own research, with source attribution and in-text citations in your responses in proper APA format for all conclusions, statements of fact, quotations, ideas or other supporting content.
- Please do notcite my introductory pages or PowerPoint presentations, or any comments from others in discussion forums, although you may repeat or expand on some of your own comments from the forums with no need for citations.
- This is not a research paper, so please don’t overdo it in terms of direct quotes, reproduced lists or tables, or citations. At the same time, while I want to see what you think about these topics, I’m not looking merely for opinions; rather, well-reasoned arguments or assertions supported by evidence with at least a few citations from authoritative sources. The challenge is to maintain a high proportion of original work, and limit the use of material quoted or paraphrased from the sources you cited.
- Requires the use of an accepted manual of style for citations. APA is preferred.
- Please include a single overall list of References or Works Cited at the end of the exam rather than piecemeal after each response, with full citations in proper APA format.
- Make sure to follow a single, correct, consistent citation style for both in-text citations in your responses and full citations in the list of References or Works Cited; don’t “mix-and-match” APA with other styles in the same exam.
- Do notreproduce lists, tables, charts, graphs, figures or images to include in the essay exams.
- Proofread and edit your replies for organization, coherence, sentence structure, grammar and spelling.
- Your responses should be in Times New Roman, size 11 or 12 font, and may be either single or double-spaced.
- Please include pagination (i.e., insert sequential page numbers).
- Your completed exam should total approximately 7-10 pages (a minimumof one page per response—a little more is better than a little less), excluding the cover sheet and list of References or Works Cited.
- Remember, I will be submitting this exam inTurnitin .
Your exam is as follows. There are two multi-part questions relating to each of the five weekly sessions in terms of the main topics, assigned readings and discussion forum questions we have covered thus far in each sequential week. You will see that these questions often reflect a synthesis or expansion of the discussion forum topics. Select and respond to five of the following ten questions, one from each week or session:
Week 1: Introduction to Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure . (Select and respond to one question for Week 1)
1.) Based on your review of the DHS document Civil defense and homeland security: A short history of preparedness effort, which presidential administration do you believe did the most to improve or advance civil defense, emergency management or homeland security, and which did the least? Explain and support your selection with specific examples.
2.) What is your assessment of the “truth” about the definition of homeland security? In other words, do you believe homeland security does, or should, focus exclusively on the threat of terrorism, or should it be genuinely “all-hazards,” including other man-made or natural disasters? Which (if any) of the alternate definitions proposed by Bellavita or any of the other sources discussed in the Week 1 Overview and Introduction presentation seems most accurate or convincing, and why? Is there a better definition you would prefer? What is your understanding or assessment of the problems caused by lack of a single, consensus definition of homeland security as described by Reese in his CRS report, and how can those problems be addressed? Do you agree with President Obama’s preference for equating homeland security with national security more closely, rather than emphasizing a distinction between them as President G.W. Bush did? Why or why not? What is your sense thus far about how President Trump views this issue?
Week 2: The National Critical Infrastructure . (Select and respond to one question for Week 2)
3.) What is your assessment Reidman’s thesis in his journal article? Make sure to provide a balanced assessment, evaluating specific points or elements (if any) that you find accurate or reasonable, and those (if any) that you consider misguided, unrealistic or objectionable. Overall, do you agree that terrorist groups lack the capabilities or incentive to attack our national critical infrastructure? Why, or why not?
4.) Considering that many sources estimate that about 85% of our nation’s critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, what do you believe are the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments and the private sector, respectively, in terms of security for critical infrastructure key resources? Are there any appropriate, practical and defensible incentives that the government should offer private industry to enhance security, or are strict mandates and regulation the answer? What, if any, circumstances would require the government to assume the full responsibility—and expense—for protection of any particular CI/KR sector, system or facility? If you were a senior industry representative (e.g. executive director of a trade or industry association or chamber of commerce, etc.) called to testify before a Congressional committee about enhancing security in any of the CI/KR sectors, what would you recommend in terms of national policy?
Week 3: Critical Infrastructure Elements and Sectors (Part 1). (Select and respond to one question for Week 3)
5.) In your assigned readings and the discussion forum topics, a number of initiatives (behavioral profiling of passengers, cargo container inspections, background checks for airport workers, etc.) for improving aviation security were discussed. Some observers have cast doubts on the effectiveness of many of the TSA procedures. In terms of technology, “puffer” devices were tried at airports to detect explosives residue, but later abandoned. There has also been controversy regarding “backscatter” body scanners or full body imaging technologies (often referred to as “virtual strip search” scanners), or intensive pat-downs implemented by TSA. There has also been controversy about the TSA’s Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program for behavioral detection, about the effectiveness of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) or Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and about the TSA Pre✓® program. There have also been media reports about firearms or other weapons being smuggled or accidentally carried aboard aircraft despite security measures. A couple of years ago, the TSA generated controversy by announcing a new policy that passengers would now be allowed to carry small knives and some sports equipment when boarding planes. If you were a senior TSA official, how would you defend the current level or type of procedures, and this apparent reversal of previous security restrictions regarding small knives? What would be your top three priorities to improve security for passenger flights for the next year? Provide some specific references to support your choices.
6.) What do you believe are the most significant vulnerabilities, threats, hazards and challenges regarding maritime port and cargo security? What mitigation, prevention and protection measures would you recommend as most effective to deter, detect or defend against possible terrorist attacks or the smuggling of WMD in cargo containers? Can technology applications such as X-Ray screening devices, the use of specially trained canine teams, or other methods and technologies solve the problem? What should the respective roles and responsibilities of the federal, state or local governments, as well as the private sector owners, operators or shippers, be for implementing these measures? What do you see as the main points or issues concerning international or bilateral agreements or initiatives, and the security responsibilities of other nations from which cargo is shipped to the United States?
Week 4: Critical Infrastructure Elements and Sectors (Part 2). (Select and respond to one question for Week 4)
7.) Which of the areas or “drivers” of change in the strategic environment, and the prevailing strategic challenges that will drive risk over the next five years described in the 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (2014 QHSR), pose the greatest concerns regarding critical infrastructure protection in your view, and why? Considering the concept of “Black Swans” described in the 2014 QHSR, how does this concept relate to changes in the strategic environment or prevailing strategic challenges? Do you agree with the four Black Swan scenarios presented there, or are there different low probability/high consequence scenarios that should be anticipated and considered instead? Explain.
8.) One of the assumptions listed in the original 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review concerning the security environment was that “there is a danger of complacency as major crises recede.” Do you believe this actually happens—that Americans become complacent after even catastrophic or traumatic events such as the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina? Why or why not? Is there a difference between emergency responders and the general public in this regard? Did the experiences of Superstorm Sandy or the Boston Marathon Bombing reduce complacency and revive our national commitment to preparedness, or did there appear to be a high degree of complacency leading up to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria making landfall? What would you propose be done to prevent or limit this backsliding into complacency? How, if at all, does the problem of complacency affect or relate to the concept of resilience?
Week 5: Protecting the Water Supply . (Select and respond to one question for Week 5)
9.) Much of the water infrastructure is managed and controlled remotely via SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. Typically, these are connected to networks, such as the Internet, where hackers might engage in malicious activity. Recent news reports reveal that hackers have been very aggressive in their efforts to seize control of these systems in power plants and other vital infrastructure facilities such as water treatment plants. Do you think private and local authorities understand and have prepared for this potential threat of a cyber attack on the water system? Provide at least three specific actions or measures you believe would be necessary and effective to enhance security and mitigate or protect against this particular threat, and defend your recommendations.
10.) Considering the familiar axiom, “the solution to pollution is dilution,” do you believe that the water sector is highly vulnerable? If so, which specific elements, systems, facilities or processes seem most vulnerable? Or, do you believe the threat to our water systems or supplies is exaggerated, and that this CI/KR sector is not really vulnerable, or that terrorists would not be attracted to those targets because it would be too difficult to create mass casualties or actual terror through attacking the water system due to the sheer volume of water diluting any potential contaminants? What about wastewater systems? How, if at all, would interdependencies between the water sector and other CI/KR sectors affect your view? Support your assertions and conclusions with logical arguments and evidence from research in authoritative sources.
RUBRIC
QUALITY OF RESPONSE NO RESPONSE POOR / UNSATISFACTORY SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT Content (worth a maximum of 50% of the total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 20 points out of 50: The essay illustrates poor understanding of the relevant material by failing to address or incorrectly addressing the relevant content; failing to identify or inaccurately explaining/defining key concepts/ideas; ignoring or incorrectly explaining key points/claims and the reasoning behind them; and/or incorrectly or inappropriately using terminology; and elements of the response are lacking. 30 points out of 50: The essay illustrates a rudimentary understanding of the relevant material by mentioning but not full explaining the relevant content; identifying some of the key concepts/ideas though failing to fully or accurately explain many of them; using terminology, though sometimes inaccurately or inappropriately; and/or incorporating some key claims/points but failing to explain the reasoning behind them or doing so inaccurately. Elements of the required response may also be lacking. 40 points out of 50: The essay illustrates solid understanding of the relevant material by correctly addressing most of the relevant content; identifying and explaining most of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology; explaining the reasoning behind most of the key points/claims; and/or where necessary or useful, substantiating some points with accurate examples. The answer is complete. 50 points: The essay illustrates exemplary understanding of the relevant material by thoroughly and correctly addressing the relevant content; identifying and explaining all of the key concepts/ideas; using correct terminology explaining the reasoning behind key points/claims and substantiating, as necessary/useful, points with several accurate and illuminating examples. No aspects of the required answer are missing. Use of Sources (worth a maximum of 20% of the total points). Zero points: Student failed to include citations and/or references. Or the student failed to submit a final paper. 5 out 20 points: Sources are seldom cited to support statements and/or format of citations are not recognizable as APA 6th Edition format. There are major errors in the formation of the references and citations. And/or there is a major reliance on highly questionable. The Student fails to provide an adequate synthesis of research collected for the paper. 10 out 20 points: References to scholarly sources are occasionally given; many statements seem unsubstantiated. Frequent errors in APA 6th Edition format, leaving the reader confused about the source of the information. There are significant errors of the formation in the references and citations. And/or there is a significant use of highly questionable sources. 15 out 20 points: Credible Scholarly sources are used effectively support claims and are, for the most part, clear and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition is used with only a few minor errors. There are minor errors in reference and/or citations. And/or there is some use of questionable sources. 20 points: Credible scholarly sources are used to give compelling evidence to support claims and are clearly and fairly represented. APA 6th Edition format is used accurately and consistently. The student uses above the maximum required references in the development of the assignment. Grammar (worth maximum of 20% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 5 points out of 20: The paper does not communicate ideas/points clearly due to inappropriate use of terminology and vague language; thoughts and sentences are disjointed or incomprehensible; organization lacking; and/or numerous grammatical, spelling/punctuation errors 10 points out 20: The paper is often unclear and difficult to follow due to some inappropriate terminology and/or vague language; ideas may be fragmented, wandering and/or repetitive; poor organization; and/or some grammatical, spelling, punctuation errors 15 points out of 20: The paper is mostly clear as a result of appropriate use of terminology and minimal vagueness; no tangents and no repetition; fairly good organization; almost perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage. 20 points: The paper is clear, concise, and a pleasure to read as a result of appropriate and precise use of terminology; total coherence of thoughts and presentation and logical organization; and the essay is error free. Structure of the Paper (worth 10% of total points) Zero points: Student failed to submit the final paper. 3 points out of 10: Student needs to develop better formatting skills. The paper omits significant structural elements required for and APA 6th edition paper. Formatting of the paper has major flaws. The paper does not conform to APA 6th edition requirements whatsoever. 5 points out of 10: Appearance of final paper demonstrates the student’s limited ability to format the paper. There are significant errors in formatting and/or the total omission of major components of an APA 6th edition paper. They can include the omission of the cover page, abstract, and page numbers. Additionally the page has major formatting issues with spacing or paragraph formation. Font size might not conform to size requirements. The student also significantly writes too large or too short of and paper 7 points out of 10: Research paper presents an above-average use of formatting skills. The paper has slight errors within the paper. This can include small errors or omissions with the cover page, abstract, page number, and headers. There could be also slight formatting issues with the document spacing or the font Additionally the paper might slightly exceed or undershoot the specific number of required written pages for the assignment. 10 points: Student provides a high-caliber, formatted paper. This includes an APA 6th edition cover page, abstract, page number, headers and is double spaced in 12’ Times Roman Font. Additionally, the paper conforms to the specific number of required written pages and neither goes over or under the specified length of the paper. GET THIS PROJECT NOW BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK TO PLACE THE ORDER
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