Call for Experts to Participate in Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection Expert

ABSG Consulting Inc. (ABS Consulting) is assisting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Infrastructure Protection (IP) with the fiscal year 2005 (FY05) Buffer Zone Protection Plan.  DHS is seeking expert input in its ongoing endeavor to better identify and understand critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KRs).  DHS's goal is to expand the number of items in the National Asset Database (NADB) using assets recommended by the respective state's or territory's homeland security advisors. DHS conducted a national data call through the states and territories to better identify and define these CI/KRs. The states have identified (1) all the CI/KRs from their (i.e., state's or territory's) perspective and (2) CI/KRs from a national perspective that is in that state or territory.

These expert panels will choose assets that best capture the programmatic goals and protective focus for FY05, based on the (1) metrics of economic impact, (2) effects on public safety and health, and (3) symbolic value. This effort will strengthen DHS's successful partnerships with the states and territories and will increase DHS's understanding of the states' concerns regarding infrastructure protection priorities.  Assets selected by the expert panels will be included in the NADB.

For identification, the CI/KRs identified by the states are grouped into the following 17 panels: ? Agriculture & Food; ? Defense Industry Base ? Information Technology ? Public Health? National Monuments & Icons? Dams ? Banking & Finance ? Energy ?Telecommunications ?Transportation ? Commercial Assets ? Nuclear Power Plants ? Chemical & Hazardous Material Industry ? Emergency Services ? Postal & Shipping ? Water ?  and Government Facilities