Hlsc 710-discussion 7-reply 1 | HLSC 710 – Contemporary Issues in Cyber Security and WMD (CBRNE) Threat Analysis | Liberty University

The response must be 200 words and use at least 2 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include texts, articles, presentations, the Bible, blogs, videos, etc.

Textbook:

Johnson, T. A. (2015). Cybersecurity: Protecting critical infrastructures from cyber attack and cyber warfare.Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 9781482239225.

Pichtel, J. (2016). Terrorism and WMDs (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 9781498738989.

***KELSEY***

A bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasite, fungus, chemical, or toxin used in bioterrorism or biological warfare is known as a biological agent. Infectious agents and poisons directly against enemy personnel have been practiced during warfare. Diseases have killed more people in many conflicts and even when they are not being used as weapons consciously. In homeland security, biological agents are used for threat countermeasure development programs. Homeland security promotes inter defense capabilities such as risk awareness, preventative measures, monitoring and identification, forensic analysis, and response and recovery in response to the intentional or unintentional introduction of biological agents that endanger the nation’s human national security. Hemorrhagic fever viruses, smallpox, anthrax, plague, botulism, and tularemia, are the most viable weapons for bioweapons (Koehler, and Popella, 2020).  These are classified as Category A by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and present a significant threat to public health due to their ease of spread or transmission, high mortality risk, and significant health impact, including distress and socio-cultural and economic instability.

             Homeland Security uses the radioactive agent resources to prepare for a radiological attack, which could include using a dirty bomb or another radiological dispersal device.  An attack like this could cause widespread devastation, contaminate the environment, and instill fear and anxiety in the affected communities. In the event of an attack, it uses these to develop adequate preparedness and safety measures (Clark, and Guarrieri, 2021). Radioactive elements emit different types of radiation depending on their properties. In such an attack, the explosion itself, instead of the levels of radiation, are more likely to induce instant deaths and injuries. The most viable radiation agent is the use of uranium. Exposure to radioactive agents inflicts injuries and contamination and can lead to cells death, causing the individual death. The contaminations can also be passed through food and water.

            Nuclear agents are radioactive materials produced by nuclear fission or fusion, such as those released from damaged nuclear power plants or by detonating a nuclear weapon. The nuclear agents provide resources and training to law enforcement and homeland security partners to help them detect and prevent terrorism, targeted violence, and mass attacks (Clark, and Guarrieri, 2021). The department conducts research and development to develop new equipment for detecting smuggled threat material or weapons. It aids in developing public safety personnel’s prevention and response capabilities across the United States. The most viable nuclear agent that can be used is thermonuclear bombs or hydrogen bombs. A portion of the energy is released through nuclear fusion. Hydrogen bombs are viable as they cause vast mass destruction on buildings and people. It also impacts the environment, economy, and the well-being of people, animals, and plants.