InfoGram 48-07: December 13, 2007

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.

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Cyber Terrorism: A Threat to the Emergency Services

With the advent of cyber terrorism, computer systems are now the targets of an increasing number of threats, according to federal government cyber security specialists. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for Cyber Security Greg Garcia stated: "Our adversaries will stop at nothing to destroy the infrastructures we all work hard to protect."

Computer security experts have evidence that terrorists, national governments, organized crime groups, spies, and hackers are more sophisticated, proficient, and clever. They believe these enemies are determined to create a major malfunctioning of computer controlled infrastructures, particularly during emergencies or disasters. Furthermore, they warn that "the risk of cyber attacks grows for systems that need to connect with external communication infrastructures such as the Internet or a Wide Area Network."

The Emergency Management and Response - lnformation Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) confirms that unprecedented interdependencies continue to create vulnerabilities with potential disruptions to Emergency Services Sector capabilities such as computer aided dispatching. This is a dangerous threat to emergency departments and agencies because computers and cyber networks have become an integral part of the critical infrastructures of the Emergency Services Sector that cannot be interrupted or destroyed without jeopardizing response operations.

Assistant Secretary Garcia explained, "We all depend on shared critical infrastructures and systems to maintain our national security." He called on every organization using networked technology to accept responsibility for securing their part of cyberspace by taking cyber risks seriously, ensuring that any potential cyber incidents, threats, or attacks are reported to the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-C ERT) at (888) 282-0870, and by using the safeguards available at the Federal Website, OnGuardOnline.

National Strategy for Homeland Security

In early October, the President of the United States issued an updated National Strategy for Homeland Security, which will serve to guide, organize, and unify homeland security efforts. The Strategy articulates a national approach to secure the homeland over the next several years. It reflects increased understanding of the threats confronting the United States, incorporates lessons learned from exercises and real-world catastrophes, and verbalizes how to ensure long-term success by strengthening the homeland security foundation.

The Strategy provides a common framework through which the entire Nation (i.e., federal, state, local, and tribal governments, the private and non-profit sectors, and individual citizens) should focus its homeland security efforts on the following four goals:

• Prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks.
• Protect the American people, critical infrastructures, and key resources.
• Respond to and recover from incidents that do occur.
• Continue to strengthen the foundation to ensure long-term success.

While the first three goals help to organize national efforts, the last goal entails creating and transforming homeland security principles, systems, structures, and institutions. This includes applying a comprehensive approach to risk management, building a culture of preparedness, developing a comprehensive Homeland Security Management System, improving incident management, better utilizing science and technology, and leveraging all instruments of national power and influence.

Disaster Assistance Response Team

Frequent flooding continues to challenge communities and their emergency services. Therefore, when seeking ways to enhance local critical infrastructure protection and emergency responses to floods, the Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) learned about the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs). These teams provide search and rescue support, key response personnel access to storm-damaged areas, victim transportation, waterborne logistic support, and delivery of vital supplies and materials during flooding events.

With the majority of the nation's flooding occurring along Central and Western rivers, DARTs are an entirely Eighth Coast Guard District (D8) asset. D8 Offices are located in New Orleans and include seven sectors: Houston-Galveston, Corpus Christi, New Orleans, Lower Mississippi River (Memphis), Upper Mississippi River (St. Louis), Ohio Valley (Louisville), and Mobile. D8's area of influence includes the entire Western Rivers watershed.

The Chief of Response for the Lower Mississippi River Sector, Lieutenant Timothy Martin (USCG), explained to the EMR-ISAC that each DART, which is self-sustaining for a minimum of 72 hours, consists of an enclosed trailer, three flood punts, associated equipment, and personnel (i.e., a senior enlisted supervisor, two boat operators, and four crew members). Sector Commanders can also assign a liaison officer, team leaders, and logistics support team, if deemed necessary.

DARTs do not engage in pollution response, salvage, law enforcement, or swift water response; all operations are conducted in still or standing waters. They may respond to any flood condition regardless of what weather phenomenon caused the high water, e.g., hurricane, heavy rain, dam breach, etc. The teams use the Incident Command System in accordance with the National Response Plan.

Local government officials, especially those who represent city, county, or parish emergency management agencies, are often the first to request Coast Guard assistance following disasters. A Sector may activate a DART with the understanding that federal funds will not be available unless the disaster is declared a federal one. The local sector then assumes the financial responsibility of supporting the response.

Lieutenant Martin can be contacted for additional information at his email address: Timothy.R.Martin@uscg.dhs.gov. DART does not currently have a Website.

Pandemic Toolkit

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health experts have turned their focus away from questioning the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak and toward planning for the inevitable occurrence of one. A toolkit prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers materials that Emergency Services Sector (ESS) leaders and managers can use to foster personal, organizational, and community preparedness for an event destined to strain all resources of ESS departments and agencies.

The Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) acknowledges the CDC's assertion that "Government alone can't prepare the nation for pandemic flu." The toolkit, Take the Lead: Working Together to Prepare Now, includes 21 items, e.g., talking points, checklists, fact sheets, sample emails, and sample newsletter articles, designed to use advantageously with existing information-sharing systems. A toolkit table suggests how, when, and where various items can be utilized.

Emergency services in every community, especially personnel, will be among the most tested during a pandemic. The toolkit's ready-to-use resources can inform and educate ESS members and contribute to their readiness and that of their families. Encouraging other community stakeholders to use the toolkit could promote a preparedness posture that will enable responders to perform their mission with greater success.