Assignment:
As required by Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21), the current version of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP 2013-also referred to as the National Plan) provides a unifying structure to define a single program for integrating critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) protection. PPD-21 also assigned a federal agency as the lead Sector-Specific Agency (SAA) for each of the 16 critical infrastructures identified in PPD-21. Each SSA is responsible for developing and implementing an updated Sector-Specific Plan (SSP) for its sector. The original SSPs were published in 2010 based on a Letter of Agreement in the 2009 version of the NIPP, but were updated in 2015.
The SSPs detail the application of the NIPP concepts to the unique characteristics and conditions of each sector.
The terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 tragically highlighted our vulnerabilities in aviation security, leading to federal legislation and creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). There have been other plots or attempts against airliners since then. While aviation security remains a major focus today, a series of terror attacks or plots against mass transit systems such as subways, or rail systems and trains, have expanded concerns about the security of the Transportation sector in general. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, or subsidence transportation, as well as accidents such as train derailments, shipwrecks, oil pipeline leaks, or huge motor vehicle pile-ups on busy urban freeways are also major concerns.
The Transportation sector-is inextricably linked with many other CI/KR sectors in a complex network of interdependencies. Aging or overloaded transportation infrastructures or systems, the complexities of securing airports and aircraft, maritime ports and cargo containers, and the daily volume of passengers using mass transit systems, all present enormous challenges .
You should assume the role of senior government officials representing DHS and other federal agencies and entities with responsibilities for ensuring the security of the U.S. Transportation sector. Threats and hazards in this vital CI/KR sector carry potentially enormous, cascading consequences to our national economy, to national security and defense, and to confidence in our government.
President Trump has asked about the security of our Transportation sector and protection from intentional terrorist attacks, or from disruptions due to technological failures or natural disasters. Our modern industrial society and economy have become absolutely dependent on various transportation modes or sub-sectors, including commercial and general aviation, maritime and riverine shipping, surface transportation such as rail, highways, and motor carriers (trucks), mass transit such as subways or bus systems, postal and shipping, and even pipelines for natural gas and other petroleum products. It is therefore imperative that this sector be protected.
Could terrorists, foreign governments or criminal hackers exploit vulnerabilities in our systems to disrupt one or more of the major components or sub-sectors of our overall Transportation sector? What are the vulnerabilities, risks or threats from natural or technological hazards and disasters? Are there effective risk assessment, risk management or mitigation measures that can reduce the threat or the cascading consequences of disruptions in this sector? This crisis situation illustrates how our critical infrastructures are interrelated and interdependent.
Presidents Bush, Obama and Trump have all been concerned with protecting this sector. Now, to follow up and promote faster progress in this area of concern, Pres. Trump has requested a study of the Federal government's role to ensure transportation security. Senior DHS and national security officials are concerned that terrorists will escalate efforts to attack us and degrade our capabilities through this sector. Your team has been invited to participate on the Presidential Action Team, which has an opportunity to help shape the President's agenda to further improve the protection of this particular CI/KR sector.
Your presentation should address the roles, responsibilities, capabilities and challenges or limitations of the Federal government in ensuring a secure Transportation sector. Is the SSP an adequate guide to prevent future major incidents, either from natural/accidental causes or from terrorist activity? Does the SSP need changes to account for lessons learned from any recent disasters, attacks or disruptions? Are linkages needed between the Transportation SSP and the others to address interdependencies?How does the Transportation SSP relate to Executive Ordersor Directives from various presidential administrations? If actions are necessary beyond those in the SSP, provide specific recommendations with supporting evidence or logical argument for the President. Is the government organized effectively to address the threats, risks and vulnerabilities in this sector?
The actual output of the Group Project is a PowerPoint presentation for the President.
GUIDELINES
CONTENT
Your presentation should address the following for the U.S. Transportation sector:
• What is included in the U.S. Transportation sector?
1 Does the SSP limit its actions to specific or narrowly focused elements or aspects of this sector, such as aviation, maritime shipping, mass transit, etc.?
2 Does the SSP address potential impacts on other critical infrastructures?
3 Provide specific recommendations to the President for actions to improve the security posture of the U.S. in the context of this sector.
4 Recommend any changes or elements that should be included in the updated version of the SSP for the Transportation sector.
Bottom line: This is your opportunity in about 6 slides/viewgraphs to inform the President on how to improve the security and protection of the U.S. Transportation sector. The successful project will advise the President on how to improve the security of the Transportation sector using the SSP as a framework for defining the solutions.
NB: use references and in text citations in accordance with APA format.