Communication barriers in language and delivery methods

Published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003, authored by President George W. Bush, The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets is the first document of its kind. After September 11 and the creation of the DHS, swift action was taken to synergize national security efforts and interests. The National Strategy redefines the meaning and definition of critical infrastructure and key assets, offering guidance to individual sectors for risk management, risk mitigation, information sharing, and more (Erbschloe, 2004). Moreover, the National Strategy takes into account the diversity of its audience, recognizing that a large number of stakeholders in critical infrastructure and key assets are in the private sector. This means that the Department of Homeland Security plays a more active role now in monitoring any critical infrastructure or key asset, whether in the public or private domain.
Anything that pertains to national security—from water and food supplies to telecommunications and transportation networks—falls under the rubric of this document. The position of the Department of Homeland Security and the White House is that responsibility and accountability are to be distributed across all industry sectors (Bush, 2003). Of course, communications infrastructure is mentioned as one of the critical infrastructures in the United States. Communications are to be “interoperable,” as well as “secure,” both those that pertain to the public and private sectors (Bush, 2003, p. xi). Moreover, Bush (2003) suggests standardizing communications and networking protocols to promote interoperability (p. xii). Communication is defined by interconnectedness. Securing communications infrastructure means protecting the actual physical landscape: the two billion miles of cable and other tangible resources too (Bush, 2003, p. 9). Yet communications security also means the continual upgrading of resources to maintain information security and ensure clear, rapid, secure communications.
In the National Strategy, communication is also framed as a multifaceted concern that spans all industries, agencies, and sectors. Commercial activity, information sharing, and public health and safety all depend on secure and reliable communications infrastructure. Therefore, all stakeholders have a responsibility to maintain their own network integrity, to remain committed to information sharing and honesty, and also to overall interconnectedness and collaboration with key partners (Wortzel, 2003). Because so much of the telecommunications landscape is privately owned and operated, the National Strategy outlines the roles and responsibilities of the private sector to homeland security. The National Strategy takes a systems approach to homeland security by showing that all domains and sectors are interdependent and inextricably linked.
Disruptions in one area will invariably impact another, with potentially devastating effects. For example, disrupted communications infrastructure would lead to disruptions in the regional supply chains, assets freezing, impediments to the delivery of goods and services, and possible ramifications for public utilities too. More apparently, communications infrastructure is necessary for multilateral communications with the public during a crisis: with specific examples being the declaration of mandatory evacuations, evacuation route planning, announcements related to public health and safety, and other major public announcements. All media are dependent on the integrity of communications infrastructure.
To promote interagency collaboration and cooperation, and interoperability in communications, the National Strategy identifies “sector-specific risk management policies and protection practices and methodologies,” (Bush, 2003, p. 17). This essentially means that each sector develops its own unique approach and strategies that promote overall network security. “Individual critical infrastructure sectors have implemented independent and often varying approaches for identifying their own critical assets,” (Moteff & Parformak, 2004, p. 15). Each sector plays a unique but critical role in the homeland security objectives. Communications is unique among critical infrastructures in that all other infrastructures directly—not indirectly—depend upon it. Yet at the same time, the other major critical infrastructures, but especially those that are related to energy, are the backbone of all other infrastructure. Without energy infrastructures, there would be no communications infrastructures unless there really is a way to use ravens and carrier pigeons to deliver messages. Energy, communications, transportation, and other critical infrastructure nodes need to create collaborative and strategic partnerships.
Stakeholders in all industries and sectors can take heed of the overall philosophy and principle embedded in the National Strategy to organize and implement its own relevant plan. The Department of Homeland Security offers guidance when individual sectors develop their sector-specific plan, with the communications plan offered on the DHS (2015) website. The DHS (2015) outlines three main goals, with more specific advice given for interacting with other critical infrastructure partners, how to achieve risk management objectives, and how to assess resilience. While the document may need to be updated, it does offer a general overview of how communications companies in the private sector can proceed when developing their own plan to comply with DHS guidelines. Similarly, private communications enterprises can align their strategies with public sector and other private sector partners. Because of the systemic and integrated nature of critical infrastructure, the National Strategy is based on the necessity for collaboration, even between otherwise competing or disparate interests.





References

Bush, G.W. (2003). The national strategy for the physical protection of critical infrastructures and key assets. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/Physical_Strategy.pdf
Erbschloe, M. (2004). Implementing homeland security for enterprise IT. Digital Press, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-55558-312-5.X5000-5
Moteff, J. & Parfomak, P. (2004). Critical infrastructure and key assets. CRS Report for Congress. https://fas.org/sgp/crs/RL32631.pdf
United States Department of Homeland Security (2015). Communications sector-specific plan. https://www.dhs.gov/publication/nipp-ssp-communications-2015
Wortzel, L. (2003). Securing America’s critical infrastructures. The Heritage Foundation. https://www.heritage.org/homeland-security/report/securing-americas-critical-infrastructures-top-priority-the-department