Course Description:
This course provides a foundation for analysis of strategies, policies, critical infrastructure plans, investments, and management challenges in protecting the national critical infrastructures and key assets. It examines various approaches for protecting critical infrastructures and a framework for prioritizing protection initiatives. Benefits of reducing risks, lessening vulnerabilities, deterring threats, and minimizing the consequences of terrorist attacks as well as man-made and natural disasters are explored. Other topics include an examination of the significant synergy required between the private and public sectors in homeland security and homeland defense, the importance of protecting the IT infrastructure as a foundation of all critical infrastructures, and implementation strategies for infusing policies and plans in government organizations.

Recommended Attendance:
This course is intended for middle to senior managers who are involved in the planning, supporting, and/or execution of missions related to homeland security.  It assumes no background in this area.  Knowledge of basic computing skills such as web searching is required.

Prerequisites
None; however, students may enhance their understanding by taking Homeland Security Information Management (HLS) followed by the Homeland Security Information Management: Tools & Techniques (HST).

Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to (1) analyze national strategies, public policies, and prospective homeland security critical infrastructure plans; (2) compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches
established for the protection of critical infrastructures and key resources; and (3) create a strategy that
incorporates homeland security and defense policies and plans for protection of a critical infrastructure and
its corresponding key assets.