InfoGram

May 26, 2005

NOTE: This InfoGram will be distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information concerning the protection of their critical infrastructures. For further information, contact the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) at (301) 447-1325 or by email at emr-isac@fema.dhs.gov.

Improving Interagency Relationships

Security experts allege that poor interagency relationships continue to obstruct substantial "all-hazards" critical infrastructure protection (CIP) at various American localities. Looking closer at the allegation, the EMR-ISAC learned that this could be a problem for particular departments and agencies of the Emergency Services Sector. There may be some emergency organizations that are unwilling to share information because of parochial interests and a culture that does not encourage effective communication, coordination, and collaboration.

Genuine human interaction is the key ingredient necessary to overcome the unacceptable barriers to CIP that might persist among public safety agencies. Outstanding interoperability cannot be achieved without strong interagency relationships based on trust, respect, and concern for first responders and the citizens they serve. Constructive interrelationships and interdependence among emergency departments will make a considerable difference in the actual implementation of communication, coordination, and collaboration. From professionally cooperative relationships will flow the agreements that can give purpose and direction to CIP.

To create a seamless interoperable network for survivability and continuity, all community support organizations must plan and exercise together to protect, prevent, and respond to man-made and natural disasters. A new culture of interagency proactivity and teamwork must be established to ensure that the strengths and weaknesses of all responding organizations are fully recognized and resolved. The EMR-ISAC emphasizes that CIP is immensely dependent upon the quality and success of interagency relationships within and among the communities of our nation.

Social Engineering Dangers

Instances of social engineering for criminal purposes appear to be increasing throughout the United States. More organizations and individuals are reporting suspicious activities, failed attempts, and successful attacks utilizing deceitful social engineering tactics.

Generally, social engineering is the art of persuading people to say or do what you want. As it applies to information gathering, it is a "sociable technique" to acquire answers to questions from normally unwilling people. Typically, the practice involves pleasant conversation to build trust and rapport between the intelligence collector and the target person.

Federal government sources indicate that domestic and transnational terrorists employ social engineering to accumulate information regarding critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. These adversaries capitalize on the "American spirit" and altruistic behaviors to voluntarily help individuals in need.

Many emergency departments nationwide have already experienced social engineering through personal contact, telephone, and electronic mail. The emergency services will continue to be solicited for sensitive information about existing vulnerabilities, emergency plans, response operations, etc. Therefore, the EMR-ISAC cautions all first response organizations to be alert for those using social engineering to acquire vital information for illicit or unscrupulous objectives.

Enhancing Organizational Intelligence Capacity

New expectations and responsibilities are being placed on law enforcement agencies of all sizes to develop an intelligence capacity as part of a cohesive national strategy to protect the United States from terrorism and the deleterious effects of transjurisdictional organized crime. As a part of this trend, particularly after the events of 11 September 2001, unprecedented initiatives have been undertaken to reengineer the law enforcement intelligence function.

Law Enforcement Intelligence: A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement was prepared in response to requests from police executives for guidance on intelligence functions in a post 9/11 world. "This guide will help law enforcement agencies develop or enhance their intelligence capacity and enable them to fight terrorism and other crimes while preserving community policing relationships."

The 320-page document is primarily for state, local, and tribal police departments that need to develop or reinvigorate their intelligence function. Rather than being a manual to teach a person how to be an intelligence analyst, it provides ideas, definitions, concepts, policies, and resources for the manager, supervisor, or officer who is assigned to create an intelligence function. It is meant to be a primer, and a place to start on a new managerial journey.

Emergency services organizations interested in reviewing this guide can access it at: http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=1439

Disaster Casualty Management

There are two new additions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website that are especially applicable to the protection of Emergency Services Sector personnel.

The first document, Casualty Management After Deliberate Release of Radioactive Material, contains recommended immediate actions for law enforcers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who may be faced with a nuclear terrorist act. This 2-page fact sheet can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/casualtiesradioactive.pdf (PDF, 77 Kb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help)

The second document, Casualty Management After Detonation of a Nuclear Weapon in an Urban Area, contains recommended immediate actions for police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who may be faced with the detonation of a nuclear weapon in a populated area. This 2-page fact sheet can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/casualtiesdetonation.pdf (PDF, 88.4 Kb, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help)