Protecting US critical infrastructure while upholding civil…

Week 3: Case Study Assignment In this assignment, you will write a white paper for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who is preparing to deliver a keynote address at the National Governors Association meeting. Your white paper should explore how the US can protect its critical infrastructure from evolving threats while upholding the civil liberties that define our democratic society. Your paper should analyze the tension that often arises between homeland security and individual rights and propose strategies that promote both resilience and constitutional integrity. Related Course Objectives: CO-3: Assess the impact of homeland security policies on individual rights and freedoms. LO-3.2: Summarize how cybersecurity initiatives affect individual privacy rights. CO-5: Propose balanced strategies that safeguard homeland security while preserving constitutional protections. LO-5.2: Illustrate how public-private partnerships influence civil liberties in infrastructure protection. CO-6: Examine how technological developments shape the balance between homeland security and civil liberties. LO-6.5: Debate the role of federal agencies in regulating emerging technologies to protect civil liberties Directions For this assignment, complete the following steps: Download the assignment template [download] to write your paper. Locate sources to aid in writing your paper. Provide a white paper that includes the following: Introduction – Set the stage by explaining the dual imperative of securing critical infrastructure and preserving civil liberties. Introduce the central question: How can the government and its partners protect the nation without compromising the freedoms they are sworn to defend? The Security-Liberty Tradeoff in Infrastructure Protection Discuss the vulnerabilities of key sectors (e.g. energy, water, healthcare, transportation) and the consequences of inaction. Then, critically examine how security measuressuch as surveillance, data collection, and emergency powerscan encroach on privacy, due process, and the freedom of express. Use historical and contemporary examples to illustrate this tension. Civil Liberties Safeguards Analyze the legal and institutional mechanisms in place to protect civil liberties during national emergencies. Reference laws such as the USA Freedom Act and oversight bodies like the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and evaluate their effectiveness. Public-Private Partnerships and Civil Liberties Explore how collaboration with the private sectorespecially in cybersecurity and data infrastructureraises new challenges for transparency and accountability. Federal-State Collaboration and Constitutional Balance Examine how federalism shapes the security-liberty balance. Discuss the roles of state and local governments in implementing security measures and protecting rights. Policy Recommendations Propose actionable recommendations for DHS and its partners. Emphasize the need for policies that are both security-conscious and liberty-preserving. What is a White Paper? A white paper is a formal, authoritative report or guide that explains a complex issue or policy in detail. It presents the government’s position or proposed course of action, informs decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public, and often serves as a precursor to legislation, regulation, or strategic initiatives. White papers are objective and evidence-based, policy-focused, persuasive, and public-facing. Submission Guidelines Your paper must be at a minimum of 10-12 pages (the Title and Reference pages do not count towards the minimum requirement). Scholarly and credible references should be used. At least 6 peer-reviewed articles are required for this assignment. Scholarly sources include peer-reviewed articles, government publications, and academic texts. Type in Times New Roman, 12 point, and double space. Students will follow the current APA Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework. Points will be deducted for the use of Wikipedia or encyclopedic-type sources. It is highly advised to utilize books, peer-reviewed journals, articles, archived documents, etc. All submissions will be graded using the assignment rubric. Resources & Supports White Paper Guidelines [website] and White Paper Briefing [download]: Provides information on how to write a white paper. APA Style Guide [website] and Reference List Examples [download]: Provides information on how to cite in proper APA format. APA 7 Paper Example [download]: Provides an example paper with annotations. Submitting and Confirming a Submission : Watch this 3-minute video if you need guidance on submitting your assignment.