National Infrastructure Protection Plan: Partnering to Enhance Protection and Resiliency
Author: US Department of Homeland Security
Date: 2009-00-00
Type: Reports - Descriptive
Subjects: National Security,Resources,Terrorism,Natural Disasters,Crisis Management,Emergency Programs,Risk Management,Public Agencies,Government Role,Responsibility,Federal Aid,Resource Allocation,Research and Development,Information Dissemination,Coordination,Federal Legislation,Professional Education,Training,Computer Security

The overarching goal of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) is to build a safer, more secure, and more resilient America by preventing, deterring, neutralizing, or mitigating the effects of deliberate efforts by terrorists to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit elements of our Nation's critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) and to strengthen national preparedness, timely response, and rapid recovery of CIKR in the event of an attack, natural disaster, or other emergency. In seven chapters, this publication describes the purpose, goals, scope, and applicability of the NIPP. Following an introduction, Chapter 2, "Authorities, Roles, and Responsibilities," includes a brief overview of the relevant authorities and outlines the principal roles and responsibilities of: DHS; SSAs and GCCs; NIPP partners at all levels of government and in the private sector; CIKR owners and operators; and other partners who share responsibility in protecting the Nation's CIKR. Chapter 3, "The Strategy: Managing Risk," addresses the use of the NIPP risk management framework as part of the overall effort to ensure the protection and resiliency of our Nation's CIKR. DHS, the SSAs, and their public and private sector partners share responsibility for implementation of the NIPP risk management framework. Chapter 4, "Organizing and Partnering for CIKR Protection," states that to be effective, the NIPP must be implemented using organizational structures and partnerships committed to sharing and protecting the information needed to achieve the NIPP goal and supporting objectives described in chapter 1. DHS, in close collaboration with the SSAs, is responsible for overall coordination of the NIPP partnership organization and information-sharing network. Chapter 5, "CIKR Protection as Part of the Homeland Security Mission," describes the linkages between the NIPP, the SSPs, and other CIKR protection strategies, plans, and initiatives that are most relevant to the overarching national homeland security and CIKR protection missions. It also describes how the unified national CIKR protection effort integrates elements of the homeland security mission, including preparedness and activities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. Sector-specific linkages to these other national frameworks are addressed in the SSPs. Chapter 6, "Ensuring an Effective, Efficient Program Over the Long Term," addresses the efforts needed to ensure an effective, efficient CIKR protection program over the long term. It focuses particularly on the long-lead-time elements that require sustained plans and investments over time, such as generating skilled human capital, developing high-tech systems, and building public awareness. Chapter 7, "Providing Resources for the CIKR Protection Program," describes an integrated, risk-informed approach to: guide resource support for the national CIKR protection program; focus Federal grant assistance to State, local, tribal, and territorial entities; and complement relevant private sector activities. Appended are: (1) Special Considerations: Cross-Sector Cybersecurity and International CIKR Protection; (2) Summary of Relevant Statutes, Strategies, and Directives; (3) The Protection Program: NIPP Core Criteria for Risk Assessments; Existing CIKR Protection Programs and Initiatives; and Infrastructure Data Warehouse; (4) Existing Coordination Mechanisms; (5) Integrating CIKR Protection as Part of the Homeland Security Mission: State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Considerations; and Recommended Homeland Security Practices for Use by the Private Sector; and (6) S&T Plans, Programs, and Research & Development. (Contains 21 figures and 4 tables.)