Vulnerability of Telecommunications and Energy Resources to Terrorism

Vulnerability of Telecommunications and Energy Resources to Terrorism PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Vulnerability of Telecommunications and Energy Resources to Terrorism

Vulnerability of Telecommunications and Energy Resources to Terrorism PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description


Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System

Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309114047
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 165

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Book Description
The electric power delivery system that carries electricity from large central generators to customers could be severely damaged by a small number of well-informed attackers. The system is inherently vulnerable because transmission lines may span hundreds of miles, and many key facilities are unguarded. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that the power grid, most of which was originally designed to meet the needs of individual vertically integrated utilities, is being used to move power between regions to support the needs of competitive markets for power generation. Primarily because of ambiguities introduced as a result of recent restricting the of the industry and cost pressures from consumers and regulators, investment to strengthen and upgrade the grid has lagged, with the result that many parts of the bulk high-voltage system are heavily stressed. Electric systems are not designed to withstand or quickly recover from damage inflicted simultaneously on multiple components. Such an attack could be carried out by knowledgeable attackers with little risk of detection or interdiction. Further well-planned and coordinated attacks by terrorists could leave the electric power system in a large region of the country at least partially disabled for a very long time. Although there are many examples of terrorist and military attacks on power systems elsewhere in the world, at the time of this study international terrorists have shown limited interest in attacking the U.S. power grid. However, that should not be a basis for complacency. Because all parts of the economy, as well as human health and welfare, depend on electricity, the results could be devastating. Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System focuses on measures that could make the power delivery system less vulnerable to attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable while the delivery of conventional electric power has been disrupted.

Making the Nation Safer

Making the Nation Safer PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780309084802
Category : Terrorism
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This report describes many ways in which science and engineering can contribute to making the nation safer against the threat of catastrophic terrorism. The report identifies key actions that can be undertaken now, based on knowledge and technologies in hand, and, equally important, describes key opportunities for reducing current and future risks through longer-term research and development activities.

Illuminating the Dark Arts of War

Illuminating the Dark Arts of War PDF Author: David Tucker
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1441177426
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Since 9/11, the dominant view is that we have entered an era of 'new conflict' in which technology has empowered non-state actors who now pose unprecedented and unmanageable threats to U.S. national security. This unique work studies a range of threats, from homegrown and foreign terrorism to the possibility of cyber- or Chinese sabotage and fears of religious subversion to challenge every aspects of this 'new conflict' argument and expose its underlying exaggerations and misunderstandings. Examining such issues as political violence, the role of religion in terrorism, the impact of technology, and the political aspects of homeland security, this unique survey demonstrates how such activities as terrorism are limited by their clandestine nature. It also addresses why we need to switch our strategic focus and increase the role citizens have in dealing with such threats. This historically informed and critical analysis fills a void in the debates on the threats and conflicts that the U.S. confronts at home and abroad and will appeal to anyone interested in national security and terrorism.

Science and Technology to Counter Terrorism

Science and Technology to Counter Terrorism PDF Author: International Strategic and Security Studies Programme of the National Institute of Advanced Studies
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309104998
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
This volume presents the papers and summarizes the discussions of a workshop held in Goa, India, in January 2004, organized by the Indian National Institute of Advanced Science (NIAS) and the U.S. Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC). During the workshop, Indian and U.S. experts examined the terrorist threat faced in both countries and elsewhere in the world, and explored opportunities for the U.S. and India to work together. Bringing together scientists and experts with common scientific and technical backgrounds from different cultures provided a unique opportunity to explore possible means of preventing or mitigating future terrorist attacks.

Urban Disaster Resilience and Security

Urban Disaster Resilience and Security PDF Author: Alexander Fekete
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319686062
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 513

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Book Description
This edited book investigates the interrelations of disaster impacts, resilience and security in an urban context. Urban as a term captures megacities, cities, and generally, human settlements, that are characterised by concentration of quantifiable and non-quantifiable subjects, objects and value attributions to them. The scope is to narrow down resilience from an all-encompassing concept to applied ways of scientifically attempting to ‚measure’ this type of disaster related resilience. 28 chapters in this book reflect opportunities and doubts of the disaster risk science community regarding this ‚measurability’. Therefore, examples utilising both quantitative and qualitative approaches are juxtaposed. This book concentrates on features that are distinct characteristics of resilience, how they can be measured and in what sense they are different to vulnerability and risk parameters. Case studies in 11 countries either use a hypothetical pre-event estimation of resilience or are addressing a ‘revealed resilience’ evident and documented after an event. Such information can be helpful to identify benchmarks or margins of impact magnitudes and related recovery times, volumes and qualities of affected populations and infrastructure.

Countering Urban Terrorism in Russia and the United States

Countering Urban Terrorism in Russia and the United States PDF Author: Russian Academy of Sciences
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030918018X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
In January-February 2005, the National Academies Committee on Counterterrorism Challenges for Russia and the United States and the Russian Academy of Sciences Standing Committee on Counterterrorism held a workshop on urban terrorism in Washington, D.C. Prior to the workshop, three working groups convened to focus on the topics of energy systems vulnerabilities, transportation systems vulnerabilities, and cyberterrorism issues. The working groups met with local experts and first responders, prepared reports, and presented their findings at the workshop. Other workshop papers focused on various organizations' integrated response to acts of urban terrorism, recent acts of terrorism, radiological terrorism, biological terrorism, cyberterrorism, and the roots of terrorism.

Physical Vulnerability of Electric Systems to Natural Disasters and Sabotage

Physical Vulnerability of Electric Systems to Natural Disasters and Sabotage PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electric power systems
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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The Next Catastrophe

The Next Catastrophe PDF Author: Charles Perrow
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400838517
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 430

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Book Description
Charles Perrow is famous worldwide for his ideas about normal accidents, the notion that multiple and unexpected failures--catastrophes waiting to happen--are built into our society's complex systems. In The Next Catastrophe, he offers crucial insights into how to make us safer, proposing a bold new way of thinking about disaster preparedness. Perrow argues that rather than laying exclusive emphasis on protecting targets, we should reduce their size to minimize damage and diminish their attractiveness to terrorists. He focuses on three causes of disaster--natural, organizational, and deliberate--and shows that our best hope lies in the deconcentration of high-risk populations, corporate power, and critical infrastructures such as electric energy, computer systems, and the chemical and food industries. Perrow reveals how the threat of catastrophe is on the rise, whether from terrorism, natural disasters, or industrial accidents. Along the way, he gives us the first comprehensive history of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security and examines why these agencies are so ill equipped to protect us. The Next Catastrophe is a penetrating reassessment of the very real dangers we face today and what we must do to confront them. Written in a highly accessible style by a renowned systems-behavior expert, this book is essential reading for the twenty-first century. The events of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina--and the devastating human toll they wrought--were only the beginning. When the next big disaster comes, will we be ready? In a new preface to the paperback edition, Perrow examines the recent (and ongoing) catastrophes of the financial crisis, the BP oil spill, and global warming.

Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications

Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 1164

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