Paula D. Gordon, Ph.D.
pgordon@erols.com

3/25/2003 

Table of Contents

Introductory Note

Part 1:  An Overview of the Problem
Problemsolving
Problemsolving in the Wake of 9/11
Milestones
Major Critical Infrastructure Noted in the National Strategy and in the Homeland Security Act of 2002
The Major Critical Infrastructure Protection Initiatives in the National Strategy and the Homeland Security Act of 2002
Similarity of Goals

Part 2:  A Preliminary Assessment of Efforts
The Initiative to Unify America's Infrastructure Protection Efforts in the Department of Homeland Security.
The Initiative to Build and Maintain a Complete and Accurate Assessment of America's Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets.
Assessments and Action
The Initiative to Develop a National Infrastructure Plan
The Initiative Aimed at Securing Cyberspace
The Initiative to Harness the Best Analytic and Modeling Tools to Develop Effective Protective Solutions
The Initiative to Guard America's Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets Against 'Inside' Threats
Overall Critical Infrastructure Protection Efforts
Elements that the Current Approaches and the Alternative Approach Share

Part 3:  Comparing Currently Mandated Initiatives with an Alternative Approach
The Way in Which the Problem is Being Defined
Recognition of Critical Infrastructure Sector Interdependencies and the Nature of Cascading Failures and Impacts
Interdependencies and Cascading Impacts and Ripple Effects
Cascading Impacts Resulting from 9/11
The Nature and Extent of the Focus on Information, Data Gathering, the Cataloguing of Facts, and Modeling
The Different Nature of Terrorism and Terrorist Threats Post 9/11 and the Implications of These Differences
The Way in Which the Definition of the Problem Drives or Fails to Drive Action
The Role of Pragmatic Strategies
The Degree to Which Organizational, Professional, Jurisdictional, Cultural, and Political Challenges are Recognized and Addressed
The Degree to Which "State of the Science" and "State of the Technology" Issues are Recognized and Acknowledged
The Degree of Preciseness in the Use of Commonly Used Terms
Way to Improve Current Efforts

Part 4: An Alternative Approach: Some Major Elements Involved in Defining and Addressing the Homeland Security Problem
The Goals or Purposes of Addressing Homeland Security Problems, Challenges, and Threats in An Alternative Approach
An Approach to Describing the Kinds of Weapons and Threats Challenging the Post 9/11 World
A Way of Describing the Range of Potential Impacts That Terrorist Actions and Threats Can Have
Elements of Critical Infrastructure, Critical Infrastructure Protection and Critical Infrastructure Security and Continuity in the Alternative Approach

Part 5: The Alternative Approach: A Description of Support Functions and Efforts Needed for Maximizing Homeland Security Efforts
Some Approaches and Initiatives Based on the Alternative Definition of the Problem
Some Specific Initiatives That Are a Part of the Alternative Approach
Different Approaches to Understanding and Assessing Vulnerabilities

Part 6:  The Homeland Security Impact Scale:  An Alternative Approach to Assessing Homeland Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Efforts and a Frame of Reference for Understanding and Addressing  Current Challenges
Homeland Security Impact Scale

Summation
What More Needs to Be Done? 

Appendices

References

Tables
Table of Contents
Table 1: Elements of Problemsolving
Table 2: The Administration's Critical Infrastructure Protection Efforts Since  9/11
Table 3: Parameters for Comparing Currently Mandated Initiatives with an Alternative Approach