Introduction
United States wellbeing, that is, safety and economic prosperity, depends on the secure and resilient critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure refers to assets, networks and systems that define the American way of life. If these critical infrastructures are destroyed they can result to disruption of how Americans live every day. The Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilient (PPD-21) issued 2013 identifies 16 critical infrastructures. These are; chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, food and agriculture, government facilities, emergency services, energy, financial services, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials, and waste, transportation systems and water and wastewater systems. This paper looks on the protection of government facilities sector (DHS, 2013).
Government facilities
Government facilities entails buildings that are used by government entities at federal, state, local, and tribunal levels. These buildings may be within the United States boundaries or in foreign nations. These facilities are used by the government for various reasons; provision of services to citizens, business and recreational activities, commercial transactions, among others (CISA, n.d.). Attacks on government facilities can deny citizens services they are granted by the constitution.
Government facilities have been the target of terrorists and extremists. This is because their destruction or interruption of services offered in those offices can send a clear message of how weak the government is. These facilities are of symbolic value and offer unique services as well as performing sensitive functions. The attackers of government services can be terror groups or individuals who carry out the attack alone (lone wolf). These attackers are motivated by several reasons and ideologies, among them anti-government, religious, political, hate and so forth.
The history of attacks on government facilities
On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh attacked Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The attacker used a bomb made of fertilizer, diesel and other chemicals to attack the building that housed federal government agencies. The attack left more than 168 citizens dead, including 19 children, without mentioning those who were wounded and those who were left with trauma. The attack was homegrown (FBI, n.d.). That is, there was no external influence.
At the time of the attack, the building housed; America's Kids Child Care Development Center, Army and Marine recruiting offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), General Accounting Office, the General Services Administration, the Federal Employees Credit Union, the Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Transportation (Office for Victims of Crime, 2000).
Government facilities are not only attacked within the American soil, but also overseas. On August 7, 1998 the al-Qaida terror group attacked American Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania (both in East Africa) on the same day and nearly on the same time. The attack left more than 224 people dead among them 12 Americans. After the attack the FBI agents and other employees were deployed to help in the recovery process, identification of the victims and track down the attackers. The mission was successful as the perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment (FBI, n.d.).
On September 16, 2013, Aaron Alexis attacked Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and killed 12 people. This shows how even military centers can be a target of attacks. Aaron who at the time of the attack worked for a private IT company used his security pass to get access of the facility. Aaron had a legitimate pass. This brings in the idea of importance of building effective partnership. This is because the company Aaron was working for was aware of “delusional belief” that was troubling him (History.com Editors, 2019). But, he was not reported to security agencies for further investigation.
The sad fact is attacks on government facilities do occur in schools that house innocent children. On May 2022, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde county, Texas was attacked. The Attacker left 19 innocent children and 2 teachers dead. The culprit had on the same day attacked his grandmother but nothing had been done to contain his use of gunfire. This also shows why partnership is important in security matters. Security agencies and school stakeholders and other players must collaborate in order for schools to be secure (The White House, 2022).
Government facilities protection partnership
Continuous provision of government services depends on the safety of government facilities. This makes government assets to be a vital resource that DHS protects. Federal Protective Service (FPS) is the federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security Management Directorate that leads other security agencies and federal government efforts in establishing partnership with stakeholders in the government facilities sector (DHS, 2022).
Protection of government facilities faces issues such as size, scope and complexity of the facilities, many are the main targets of attackers and natural hazards. This is because they include facilities owned or leased by federal, state, local, and tribunal governments, both within the nation and in other nations. Two, these facilities are high risk environment due to the sensitive nature of the services provided. Thus, they remain as the main target of both local and international attackers and criminals. Three, these facilities can be destroyed by environmental hazards like earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, as well as be affected by the pandemics (DHS, n.d.).
The FPS is the Sector Specific Agency (SSA) which leads other government agencies in building partnership with other levels of government, private sectors and facility owners. This partnership is meant to strengthen security measures in place, share up to date security information as well as look for ways of enhancing security in these facilities using emerging technologies. Due to historical attacks on the government facilities efficient partnership already exists (DHS, 2015).
Security threats facing government facilities
Since, government facilities house government equipment’s and employees it falls within the threat environment that is targeted by attackers. The typical threats to government facilities are; man-made threats, natural threats, aging infrastructure, cyber threats and pandemics (DHS, 2015). Of late, cyber threats, especially, ransomware, have become an uphill task that make the security agencies to be alert.
Natural threats such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires among others can destroy government facilities, as well as affect the employees who provide government services. The triggers of these natural threats such as climatic change need to be addressed. Also, meteorological, geological and other agencies in this sector need to be providing accurate information that can be relied on. For example, accurate, reliable and timely weather data can help in evacuating citizens from areas identified as risky.
The man made threats whether intentional or unintentional can affect government facility. Intentional threats include active shooting, terrorist’s acts, cyber-attacks, the insider threat, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive event (CBRNE) among others. While, the unintentional threat includes security violation, carelessness, manipulation among others. Man made threats are the main threats of government facilities (DHS, 2015).
Pandemics is another threat to government facilities. This is because they can affect the sector employees. For example, if Covid-19 pandemic was not contained it was more likely to spread in government facilities than in other areas. This is because more people congregate on these facilities in search of government services every day. A pandemic like covid-19 can slow provision of services as well as claim lives of seasoned government employees.
Aging and substandard infrastructure. Most of government facilities have been in existence over the years. These facilities were built without security in consideration. This makes them susceptible to attacks. Other facilities do not meet required standards and therefore if affected by a minor natural or manmade attack they result to disruption of services offered (GAO, 2015). But, some like Museums nothing can be done to them due to their aesthetic value.
The changing dynamics of security threats is a major challenge. For instance, lone wolfs were not a threat in gone years but of late they have become the common attackers (DHS, 2021). Cyber-attack is another challenge. The DHS need be informed of changes in the nation and overseas, especially technological changes. Spoofing, phishing, online predators, ransomware and email compromise are some of issues that are aimed at accessing vital and sensitive government information as well as compromising information, security and network systems at government facilities (FBI, n.d.).
Issues of concern in government facilities
The scanning and screening done by security personnel while accessing government facilities like Museum raises issues of privacy concern. The screening at times contravenes the individual’s civil liberties and expose an individual to harmful radiation as well as manhandling by security officers (FDA, 2018). For example, women accuse security officers of abusing them sexually by touching their private parts.
United States wellbeing, that is, safety and economic prosperity, depends on the secure and resilient critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure refers to assets, networks and systems that define the American way of life. If these critical infrastructures are destroyed they can result to disruption of how Americans live every day. The Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilient (PPD-21) issued 2013 identifies 16 critical infrastructures. These are; chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial base, food and agriculture, government facilities, emergency services, energy, financial services, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, materials, and waste, transportation systems and water and wastewater systems. This paper looks on the protection of government facilities sector (DHS, 2013).
Government facilities
Government facilities entails buildings that are used by government entities at federal, state, local, and tribunal levels. These buildings may be within the United States boundaries or in foreign nations. These facilities are used by the government for various reasons; provision of services to citizens, business and recreational activities, commercial transactions, among others (CISA, n.d.). Attacks on government facilities can deny citizens services they are granted by the constitution.
Government facilities have been the target of terrorists and extremists. This is because their destruction or interruption of services offered in those offices can send a clear message of how weak the government is. These facilities are of symbolic value and offer unique services as well as performing sensitive functions. The attackers of government services can be terror groups or individuals who carry out the attack alone (lone wolf). These attackers are motivated by several reasons and ideologies, among them anti-government, religious, political, hate and so forth.
The history of attacks on government facilities
On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh attacked Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The attacker used a bomb made of fertilizer, diesel and other chemicals to attack the building that housed federal government agencies. The attack left more than 168 citizens dead, including 19 children, without mentioning those who were wounded and those who were left with trauma. The attack was homegrown (FBI, n.d.). That is, there was no external influence.
At the time of the attack, the building housed; America's Kids Child Care Development Center, Army and Marine recruiting offices, the Bureau of Alcohol, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), General Accounting Office, the General Services Administration, the Federal Employees Credit Union, the Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Transportation (Office for Victims of Crime, 2000).
Government facilities are not only attacked within the American soil, but also overseas. On August 7, 1998 the al-Qaida terror group attacked American Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania (both in East Africa) on the same day and nearly on the same time. The attack left more than 224 people dead among them 12 Americans. After the attack the FBI agents and other employees were deployed to help in the recovery process, identification of the victims and track down the attackers. The mission was successful as the perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment (FBI, n.d.).
On September 16, 2013, Aaron Alexis attacked Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. and killed 12 people. This shows how even military centers can be a target of attacks. Aaron who at the time of the attack worked for a private IT company used his security pass to get access of the facility. Aaron had a legitimate pass. This brings in the idea of importance of building effective partnership. This is because the company Aaron was working for was aware of “delusional belief” that was troubling him (History.com Editors, 2019). But, he was not reported to security agencies for further investigation.
The sad fact is attacks on government facilities do occur in schools that house innocent children. On May 2022, Robb Elementary School in Uvalde county, Texas was attacked. The Attacker left 19 innocent children and 2 teachers dead. The culprit had on the same day attacked his grandmother but nothing had been done to contain his use of gunfire. This also shows why partnership is important in security matters. Security agencies and school stakeholders and other players must collaborate in order for schools to be secure (The White House, 2022).
Government facilities protection partnership
Continuous provision of government services depends on the safety of government facilities. This makes government assets to be a vital resource that DHS protects. Federal Protective Service (FPS) is the federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security Management Directorate that leads other security agencies and federal government efforts in establishing partnership with stakeholders in the government facilities sector (DHS, 2022).
Protection of government facilities faces issues such as size, scope and complexity of the facilities, many are the main targets of attackers and natural hazards. This is because they include facilities owned or leased by federal, state, local, and tribunal governments, both within the nation and in other nations. Two, these facilities are high risk environment due to the sensitive nature of the services provided. Thus, they remain as the main target of both local and international attackers and criminals. Three, these facilities can be destroyed by environmental hazards like earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, as well as be affected by the pandemics (DHS, n.d.).
The FPS is the Sector Specific Agency (SSA) which leads other government agencies in building partnership with other levels of government, private sectors and facility owners. This partnership is meant to strengthen security measures in place, share up to date security information as well as look for ways of enhancing security in these facilities using emerging technologies. Due to historical attacks on the government facilities efficient partnership already exists (DHS, 2015).
Security threats facing government facilities
Since, government facilities house government equipment’s and employees it falls within the threat environment that is targeted by attackers. The typical threats to government facilities are; man-made threats, natural threats, aging infrastructure, cyber threats and pandemics (DHS, 2015). Of late, cyber threats, especially, ransomware, have become an uphill task that make the security agencies to be alert.
Natural threats such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires among others can destroy government facilities, as well as affect the employees who provide government services. The triggers of these natural threats such as climatic change need to be addressed. Also, meteorological, geological and other agencies in this sector need to be providing accurate information that can be relied on. For example, accurate, reliable and timely weather data can help in evacuating citizens from areas identified as risky.
The man made threats whether intentional or unintentional can affect government facility. Intentional threats include active shooting, terrorist’s acts, cyber-attacks, the insider threat, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive event (CBRNE) among others. While, the unintentional threat includes security violation, carelessness, manipulation among others. Man made threats are the main threats of government facilities (DHS, 2015).
Pandemics is another threat to government facilities. This is because they can affect the sector employees. For example, if Covid-19 pandemic was not contained it was more likely to spread in government facilities than in other areas. This is because more people congregate on these facilities in search of government services every day. A pandemic like covid-19 can slow provision of services as well as claim lives of seasoned government employees.
Aging and substandard infrastructure. Most of government facilities have been in existence over the years. These facilities were built without security in consideration. This makes them susceptible to attacks. Other facilities do not meet required standards and therefore if affected by a minor natural or manmade attack they result to disruption of services offered (GAO, 2015). But, some like Museums nothing can be done to them due to their aesthetic value.
The changing dynamics of security threats is a major challenge. For instance, lone wolfs were not a threat in gone years but of late they have become the common attackers (DHS, 2021). Cyber-attack is another challenge. The DHS need be informed of changes in the nation and overseas, especially technological changes. Spoofing, phishing, online predators, ransomware and email compromise are some of issues that are aimed at accessing vital and sensitive government information as well as compromising information, security and network systems at government facilities (FBI, n.d.).
Issues of concern in government facilities
The scanning and screening done by security personnel while accessing government facilities like Museum raises issues of privacy concern. The screening at times contravenes the individual’s civil liberties and expose an individual to harmful radiation as well as manhandling by security officers (FDA, 2018). For example, women accuse security officers of abusing them sexually by touching their private parts.
