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Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection - It's Not About the Terrorists

Approx. 11 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the connections between homeland security and cybersecurity, covering topics such as critical infrastructure protection, cyber attacks on transportation systems, and the role of social media in emergency response.

Key Learning Points

Learn about the intersection of homeland security and cybersecurity
Understand the importance of protecting critical infrastructure
Explore the impact of cyber attacks on transportation systems
Examine the role of social media in emergency response

Learning Outcomes

Gain knowledge of the connections between homeland security and cybersecurity
Develop an understanding of the importance of protecting critical infrastructure
Be able to examine the role of social media in emergency response

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of cybersecurity and homeland security
Familiarity with social media platforms

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced
Video lectures
Quizzes and assignments

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Notable People in This Field

Bruce Schneier
Eugene Kaspersky

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Description

Welcome to Course 1 in CS4950, Homeland Security and Cybersecruity. In this course we examine the origins of homeland security and its connection with cybersecurity. Homeland security is about safeguarding the United States from domestic catastrophic destruction. Catastrophic destruction comes in two forms: natural and man-made. For most of history the man-made variety came in the form of warfare and required the combined resources of a nation state. All that changed March 20th, 1995. On that date, members of a quasi-religious cult in Japan attacked the Tokyo subway system using Sarin gas. It was the first deployment of a weapon of mass destruction my a non-state actor. The power of destruction once reserved to nation states was now available to small groups, even individuals. The incident was a wake up call for governments around the world. Defense establishments designed to keep rogue states in check were practically useless against non-state actors. Overnight, the number of potential enemies multiplied a hundred, maybe even a thousand-fold. In response to the Tokyo Subway Attacks, the United States took measures to protect itself from WMD attack by non-state actors. Those measures were still being enacted when the nation was attacked on 9/11. On September 11, 2001, nineteen hijackers inflicted as much damage as the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. The investigating 9/11 Commission noted the attacks for their "surpassing disproportion". The hijackers had achieved WMD effects without using WMD. They did this by subverting the nation's transportation infrastructure, turning passenger jets into guided missiles. Again, the security implications were profound. Non-state actors seeking to inflict domestic catastrophic destruction did not need to import, fabricate, or acquire WMD as the nation was surrounded by the means of its own destruction in the form of critical infrastructure. The vulnerability of critical infrastructure had not gone unnoticed. Again, in response to the Tokyo Subway attacks, which themselves had been an attack on Japanese infrastructure, President Clinton in 1996 commissioned a panel to investigate the threat to United States' infrastructure. The panel replied in 1997 that there was no immediate threat to US infrastructure, but they were concerned with the growing risk of cyber attack. The same cyber physical systems that fueled the explosive growth of the Internet were being incorporated into Industrial Control Systems that underpinned much of the nation's critical infrastructure. The panel noted that the knowledge and skills necessary to mount a cyber attack on the nation's infrastructure was growing. As a result of this observation, President Clinton in 1998 ordered the protection of US critical infrastructure, especially from cyber attack. Following 9/11, critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity were designated core missions in the 2002 Homeland Security Act establishing the new Department of Homeland Security. They remain core missions to this day, but many don't see the connection. The connection is this: cybersecurity is essential to critical infrastructure protection, which is essential to homeland security, which is about safeguarding the United States from domestic catastrophic destruction. I look forward to working with you in the coming lessons. Best wishes and good luck!

Outline

Module 1: Domestic Catastrophic Destruction
About this Specialization
About the Instructor
L1 The Origin of Homeland Security
L2 Weapons of Mass Destruction
L3 9/11
Turning Point, pp3-10 & pp13-16 (Optional)
Tokyo Subway Attacks Lessons (Optional Video)
Turning Point, pp10-12 (Optional)
More About WMD (Optional Video)
We Have Some Planes (Optional)
9/11 Lessons Learned (Optional Video)
L1 Challenge Questions
L2 Challenge Questions
L3 Challenge Questions

Module 2: HS & DHS
L4 Defining Homeland Security
L6 DHS Missions
Homeland Security (Optional)
Challenging the Definition of Homeland Security (Optional Video)
DHS Evolution (Optional)
SecDHS Remarks on Unity of Effort (Optional Video)
L4 Challenge Questions
L6 Challenge Questions
Exam 1

Module 3: Safeguarding Against Domestic Catastrophic Destruction
L7 Counter WMD Strategy
L8 Critical Infrastructure Protection
Counter WMD Strategy (Optional)
Critical Infrastructure Protection (Optional)
Why is Critical Infrastructure Critical? (Optional Video)
L7 Challenge Questions
L8 Challenge Questions

Module 4: Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
L5 Connecting HS & CS
L9 DHS Cybersecurity
L10 Cybersecurity Basics
Surpassing Disproportion (Optional)
Congressional Hearing (Optional Video)
DHS Cybersecurity (Optional)
TED Talk on Cybersecurity (Optional Video)
L5 Challenge Questions
L9 Challenge Questions
L10 Challenge Questions
Exam 2
Making the Business Case

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the connection between homeland security and cybersecurity with this course on Coursera. Students praise the course for its engaging content that provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Engaging content that provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter

Pros from User Reviews

In-depth coverage of the topic
Well-structured course material
Engaging lectures by knowledgeable instructors
Flexible learning schedule
Practical exercises and case studies for hands-on learning

Cons from User Reviews

Some technical concepts may be difficult for beginners
Limited interaction with instructors and peers
No certificate of completion for audit learners
No live sessions or webinars
Requires self-discipline and motivation to complete the course

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Homeland Security & Cybersecurity Connection - It's Not About the Terrorists

Welcome to Course 1 in CS4950, Homeland Security and Cybersecruity. In this course we examine the origins of homeland security and its connection with cybersecurity....

Save Course