National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets

The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets was published in February 2003. This date is significant because the Department of Homeland Security was not yet in existence when the strategy was published. DHS did not become operational until March 1, 2003.

The new strategy was created under unusual circumstances. White House officials began drafting the document in 2002. At that time, DHS was still in the conceptual phases. Congress had notified the Bush Administration that it wanted to create a new department but because of the complexity of moving multiple agencies, the Homeland Security Act was not passed into law until November 2002.

The Homeland Security Act mandated that DHS come into existence on March 1, 2003. Between November 2002 and March 1, 2003, officials from within the executive branch worked long hours to implement Congress' plan. At the same time, they also drafted the new strategy which was intended to provide executive branch guidance to the new department.

As you review the strategy, I'd like you to consider the circumstances in which is was developed. How can you draft a strategy for a department that is not yet in existence? How do you determine what the relationship will be with this new department and the existing departments? I'm asking you these questions, because I'd like you to gain a better understanding about how this document came into existence and how the chaotic environment influenced the drafters.