Asymmetrical Threats and Homeland Security Policy: Is America Ready for an Attack on its Telecommunications Networks?
Abstract
With the expenditure in excess of $17 billion spent on Homeland Defense since 11 September 2001, is the U.S. critical infrastructure truly secure? The asymmetrical threat is ever mounting and has significantly increased against the U.S. Perhaps the U.S. is experiencing the quiet before the storm. Given that no other country or nation-state on earth can match our armed forces, common sense drives sophisticated enemies such as Osama bin Laden and others to attack through means other than force on force. The U.S. leadership has identified 13 critical infrastructures and four Key Asset areas. Critical infrastructures range from telecommunications, economics & electrical power to transportation systems. I propose to take a critical look at the nation's readiness of telecommunications networks against terrorist attacks since the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security. This study will review the nation's posture, including national policy, plan procedures, vulnerabilities, and it will make recommendations, where, necessary regarding critical telecommunications infrastructures. The premise of this study is that the U.S. is significantly deficient in its ability to protect against such attacks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431971
Entities
People
- Edric A. Kirkman
Organizations
- United States Army War College