OS4621 Critical Infrastructure Analysis and Defense

The premise of this course is straightforward: our dependence on critical infrastructures makes us vulnerable to both deliberate and non-deliberate events that can disrupt our physical, economic, and social welfare. This course develops the literacy and competencies necessary to understand potential problems and realistic solutions for critical military and civilian infrastructure in the United States. Students gain experience in the use of "red teaming" analysis for evaluating infrastructure vulnerability through case studies on civilian and DoD/DoN systems, and through a course project.

Cross Listed Courses

Cross-listed with NS4721

Prerequisite

NS3180 or OA4202 or consent of instructor

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, all students will able to:

• Break down details of multiple critical infrastructure systems and sectors, identify their overlap and differences.
• Dissect the operations and functions of critical infrastructure systems in the real-world and appraise their critical nodes and vulnerabilities.
• Differentiate stakeholder perspectives within critical infrastructure sectors, industries, and organizations.
• Evaluate critical infrastructure vulnerabilities with multiple methods. Differentiate tradeoffs among protection activities and make appropriate recommendations for critical infrastructure systems.
• Question assumptions about roles and perspectives. Assess the relevance of different stakeholders and decision-making perspectives to a sector or system.

This course primarily supports students in Curriculum 691(Homeland Defense and Security) and is designed to fulfill the following Educational Skill Requirement:

• Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability: Graduates will be familiar with the full range of critical infrastructure sectors within the United States. They will know what their vulnerabilities are, and how to "harden" the critical nodes in each sector. Particular emphasis will be placed on networked infrastructure and the protection of critical nodes.

This course also builds the following Basic Graduate Level Skills:

• Conduct Research: Assemble information from the full range of data sources to understand international political, economic, and military issues.
• Analyze Problems: Frame issues as research questions; logically combine evidence and theory to analyze and explain international political, economic, and military developments; and formulate innovative solutions to strategic problems.
• Communicate Information: Clearly summarize large quantities of information and persuasively present positions and courses of action using a broad range of verbal and written communications formats, including short oral arguments, visual briefs, policy memos, position papers, and comprehensive student theses.