Fast Analysis and Simulation Team (FAST)
As the NISAC models have developed and matured, DHS has utilized the analysis team to evaluate potential threats to the nation’s infrastructures. These threats can and do present NISAC with questions that go beyond the boundaries of any individual modeling capability or expert set. Also, these analysis requests are frequently quick turn-arounds, with delivery deadlines ranging from just a few hours to a number of days. NISAC provides this broad set of consequence analyses on an as-needed basis.
The Fast Analysis and Simulation Team (FAST) was formulated to serve as a central resource point for DHS in providing relevant and practical information in response to issues of national importance under limited time constraints.
Models and tools developed by NISAC, as well as the significant subject matter expertise contained within the NISAC team, are used to provide insight and analysis pertaining to the questions as posed. FAST also integrates expertise from throughout NISAC, including the core partners, their collaborators and system experts.
Information Focus
The information and analyses supplied by the team cover wide-ranging subjects; however, some common themes include:- Who will be affected (population, economic sectors), and how (duration, scale)?
- Economic impacts
- By economic or industrial sector, by state or region
- Insured and uninsured
- Abandoned and deferred purchases
- What are the unexpected consequences, primarily with respect to infrastructure interdependencies?
Analyses include simulations of each infrastructure sector. Simulation tools include economic modeling and dynamic simulations of infrastructures and their interdependencies.
In some cases, an analysis can be completed without running computer-generated simulations, relying instead on the subject matter and technical expertise resident in the program staff and data assessment using spatial or other appropriate techniques. Toolsets developed by NISAC support the archiving of knowledge, previous analyses, and simulations. Frequently, ‘nuggets of information,’ or interesting and salient facts discerned from data mining, will provide insight into an issue, determining the focus of the analysis.
Synopses of FAST Analysis Products
Date |
Study Title |
Brief Summary |
9/3-9/16/2008 |
Hurricane Ike |
Sequence of Pre- and Post-landfall impact analyses, responses to RFIs |
9/2-9/3/2008 |
Hurricane Hanna |
Asset analyses in preparation for storm |
8/27-9/3/2008 |
Hurricane Gustav |
Sequence of Pre- and Post-landfall impact analyses, responses to RFIs |
6/11-6/20/2008 |
Upper Midwest flooding |
Analyses of impacts due to flooding |
5/1-5/08/2008 |
National Level Exercise 2 |
Analyses in support of national exercise |
5/21- 5/29/2008 |
New York City hurricane scenario update |
Revisions of scenario analysis in response to RFIs |
4/1-5/31/2008 |
Corpus Christ scenario analysis |
Hurricane scenario analysis |
3/1-4/30/2008 |
Mid-Atlantic update scenario |
Hurricane scenario analysis |
3/1 - 3/27/2008 |
Transportation corridors |
Analyses of all US-Mexico and US-Canada border crossings |
1/14 – 2/07/2008 |
International asset evaluations |
Supported DHS to define criteria for importance of international assets, evaluated impacts of asset loss |
11/17-29/2007 |
Review of Risk Data Requirements |
Review of criteria |
11/29/2007 |
Minnesota pipeline |
Analysis of potential impacts to petroleum supply resulting from explosion |
8/2-8/5/07 |
Minnesota bridge collapse I-35W |
Analysis of infrastructures impacted and potential consequences |
10/22-26/2007 |
Southeast Drought Analysis |
Multiple reports concerning potential population impacts and cascading effects on other infrastructures |
10/23-26/2007 |
Analysis of Potential Infrastructure Impacts due to Southern California Wildfires |
24/7 operations examining significant infrastructure impacts associated with the occurrence of multiple wildfires burning during the week of 10/23/2007 |
10/15-18/2007 |
Analytical Support for Top Officials Exercise 4 (TOPOFF IV) |
24/7 operations analyzing significant infrastructure impacts associated with simulated detonations of 3 RDDs (Radioactive Dispersal Devices) |
9/26/2007 |
Mexico Critical Energy Infrastructure |
Analysis of potential US effects of disruption to Mexico energy infrastructures |
8/28/2007 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for New Orleans, Post-Katrina |
Study designed to provide insight into impacts to critical infrastructures and populations of a hurricane making landfall in the New Orleans area, given best-possible post-Katrina infrastructure information. |
8/18-20/2007 |
Hurricane Dean Impact Analysis Report (Pre-event) |
Analyses of potential infrastructure and economic effects if storm were to impact southern Texas area |
8/14/2007 |
Railcar Toxic Inhalant Hazard Release Scenario |
Analysis of 2 potential release scenarios and the resulting population and infrastructure impacts |
8/11-14/2007 |
Hurricane Flossie Impact Analysis Report (Pre-event) |
Analyses of potential infrastructure impacts if storm were to make landfall in Hawaii |
8/3/2007 |
Impacts of the Interstate 35W Bridge Failure |
Projected infrastructure impacts and economic effects resulting from bridge collapse |
5/29/2007 |
Asset Analysis for Dam |
Identification of infrastructure dependencies and potential cascading impacts of a dam failure |
5/9-11/2007 |
Exercise Support for Ardent Sentry NuDet Exercise 2007 |
NISAC analysis of blast damage and contamination effects on infrastructure due to detonation of radiological device |
4/30/2007 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Tallahassee, Florida Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 4 hurricane making landfall on the northern Florida gulf coast just south of Tallahassee. |
4/30/2007 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Savannah, Georgia Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 4 hurricane making landfall south of Savannah, Georgia. |
3/28/2007 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the New England Area |
NISAC analysis of hurricane impacts in support of Ardent Sentry Northern Edge 2007 Exercise, updated for DHS archive 5/14/2007 |
10/25/2006 |
(NISAC) Proposed Analyses for Identification of Key Chemical Facilities and Chokepoints |
Requested scope and needs assessment for capability development |
10/23/2006 |
Tier 1 Asset List and Criteria |
Review and compile a listing of infrastructure assets that would potentially meet a modified set of DHS Tier 1 consequence criteria. |
10/16/2006 |
Tier 1 Asset List and Criteria |
Review and compile a listing of infrastructure assets that would potentially meet DHS Tier 1 consequence criteria. |
8/30/2006; |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Charleston, South Carolina Area (Submitted 8/30/06, revised 9/05/06) |
NISAC analysis of hurricane impact for Charleston, SC area. Storm parameters based on historical information and projections for Tropical Storm Ernesto. |
8/11/2006; 8/13/2006 |
Impacts of UK Plane Terror Plot on U.S. Air Transportation System and U. S. Economy (Submitted 8/11/06, revised 8/13/06) |
Analysis of the potential impacts of recently implemented air travel protective measure, including the banning of all liquids, on the US air transportation system and on the U.S. economy |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Tampa, FL Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 4 hurricane making landfall in the Tampa, FL area. |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the New York City Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 3 hurricane making landfall just west of New York City. |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Mobile Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 5 hurricane making landfall near Mobile, Alabama. |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Mid-Atlantic Region |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 4 hurricane making landfall in the Mid-Atlantic region. |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Miami, Florida Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 5 hurricane making landfall in Miami, FL. |
8/02/2006 |
Hurricane Scenario Analysis for the Houston/Galveston Area |
NISAC developed simulated hurricane scenarios and analyze their impacts to populations and to critical infrastructures. This study addressed the impact of a hypothetical Category 4 hurricane making landfall at Houston, Texas. |
8/02/06 |
Regional Infrastructure Analysis: Potential Hurricane Impacts on Energy Sectors in the Northern and Western Gulf Coast Region, Tampa, FL, and Elizabeth NJ |
Several regional concentrations of critical energy infrastructure potentially vulnerable to hurricane damage were identified and analyzed. |
8/02/2006 |
2006 Pre-Hurricane Scenario Analyses |
Summary of methodology for 1)impact analyses of six simulated hurricanes making landfall in regions at high hurricane risk, and 2)analysis of potential regional energy infrastructure impacts. |
8/1/2006 |
Review of |
NISAC reviewed criteria for identification of Tier 2 critical assets and key resources, and provided suggested modifications. |
6/20/2006 |
NISAC Evaluation of the TOPOFF IV Exercise Scenario |
NISAC analyzed infrastructure impacts associated with the TOPOFF IV scenario, for use during the exercise. |
4/20/2006 |
International Energy Infrastructure Support |
NISAC provided information on potential single points of failure within the international energy infrastructure that could significantly impact the US economy or security. |
3/30/2006 |
The Economic Impact of a Thirty Day |
Brief analysis of projected economic losses due to hypothetical temporary closure of Soo Locks. |
3/29/2006 |
Summary of NISAC Analysis Efforts for DHS RMD In Support of National IED Task Force |
Report provided examples of infrastructure-specific concerns resulting from the potential use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). |
3/1/2006 |
NISAC/CIPDSS: Potential Questions (3/1/06) |
Support to DHS for cross-sector compilation of issues and modeling and analysis tools for potential use in influenza pandemic planning and response. (Participants in CAP-WG, the Consequence Assessment and Policy Working Group.) |
3/1/2006 |
Support for CATF2 Table-Top Exercise: |
Support to DHS for the CATF-2 biological attack table-top exercise. Report presented results of NISAC analyses relevant to the exercise scenario and exercise decision points. |
2/23/2006 |
NISAC Proposed Short-Term Analyses to Support CATF 2 Table Top Exercise |
Proposal to provide analysis support to DHS for a CATF-2 smallpox table-top exercise. |
2/22/2006, |
Revised CAP NISAC-CIP/DSS Models Matrix |
Support to DHS for cross-sector compilation of issues and modeling / analysis tools for potential use in influenza pandemic planning and response. (Participants in CAP-WG, the Consequence Assessment and Policy Working Group.) |
1/18/2006 |
(NISAC) |
Proposals to support Cyber Storm |
12/16/2005 |
NISAC – CIP/DSS Work Plan: Effects of Potential Influenza Pandemic on Infrastructure Function |
Proposals for continued Avian Influenza Analyses (1 month and 6-month) |
12/7/2005 |
Joint NISAC - CIP/DSS |
Support for Principal’s Avian Influenza Exercise: 1-month deliverable providing relevant information and modeling results. |
11/18/2005 |
Joint NISAC - CIP/DSS |
Support for Principal’s Avian Influenza Exercise: 1 – 2 week deliverable providing relevant information and modeling results. |
10/31/2005 |
Asset-Based Updates to National Hazards Assessment (2) |
In response to a request from the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, our National Hazards Assessment was supplemented with this asset-based analysis, which identified two sets of critical assets: a smaller and then a more inclusive set. |
10/19-21/2005 |
NISAC Summary Report: Assets in the Potential Path of Hurricane Wilma. 10/19/05 Pre-Event Analysis: Potential Impacts of Hurricane Wilma 10/20/05 Issues Associated with Lake Okeechobee Levee System. 10/21/2005 |
Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory: Provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane. Provided 1) an initial analysis, 2) a detailed analysis based on a later and more accurate forecast, and 3) a short report on location-specific issues. |
10/18/2005 |
U.S. Hazards Assessment: Preliminary Report |
National Hazards Assessment: In response to a request from the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, this analysis was conducted to identify the most important national hazards based on consequence and likelihood. |
10/11/2005 |
Chemical Producers in Detroit Area |
NISAC was tasked to do a supply chain analysis for the chemical industries in the Detroit area. |
9/20-23/2005 |
Hurricane Rita: 4 Pre-event reports |
Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory: Provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane. Provided a series of reports in response to changes in predicted hurricane trajectory and wind speed predictions. |
9/18/2005 |
Review of Priority Assets |
Reviewed asset list provided by DHS to determine 1) if assets were truly high-priority, 2) justification for considering certain assets as high priority, and 3) additional assets that should be considered as high priority. |
8/30 - 9/16/2005 |
Hurricane Katrina: 10 Post-event reports |
Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory: Provided a series of analyses and updates, focusing on national implications of impacted and shut-down critical infrastructure facilities in the Gulf Coast region. |
9/12/2005 |
Ophelia Impact Analysis Report (Pre-event) |
Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory: Provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane. |
8/27-28/2005 |
Hurricane Katrina: 2 Pre-event reports |
Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory: Provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of the Gulf Coast landfall for this hurricane. Some of this information was also provided to DOE/OEA. Pre-event reports provided economic estimates with and without potential flooding of New Orleans. |
8/5/2005 |
NISAC Review of Memorandum of September July 9, 2005, from Dr. Bill Hancock |
Provided a review of cyber security information provided to DHS. |
7/28/2005 |
Mass Transit Subway and Rail System Tunnels |
Provided information on tunnels used in mass transit systems. |
7/18/2005 |
Projected Impacts of Hurricane Emily on U.S. Energy Infrastructure |
2-page analysis of potential effects of this hurricane on the US. Turnaround in 5 hours. |
7/10/2005 |
Impact of the July 7th Terrorist Bombings on the Telecommunications Infrastructure of London |
Impact of July 7th Terrorist Bombings on the Telecommunications Infrastructure of London |
7/9/2005 |
Assessment of Hurricane Dennis (7/9/05) |
NISAC product, worked with LANL, 7 hour turnaround. |
7/9/2005 |
Assessment of Hurricane Dennis (7/9/05) |
Participated in DOE’s Visualization and Modeling Working Group (VMWG) pre-event analysis. Sandia’s role focused on national infrastructure interdependencies and economic analysis. |
7/8/2005 |
Pacific Northwest Assets Located in Seismic Areas |
Developed seismic hazard maps based on peak ground acceleration, enumerated assets in higher risk regions. Completed in 2½ days. |
7/8/2005 |
Preliminary assessment of Hurricane Dennis (7/8/05) |
NISAC product, worked with LANL, 1 ½ hour turnaround. |
6/17/2005 |
Potential Applications of |
Report on possible FAST analyses to support a DOD exercise or a national emergency situation. |
4/19/2005 |
DOE OE Energy Emergency Exercise – Pacific Northwest Scenario |
Sandia National Laboratories, LANL, ANL, ORNL, and NETL formed a virtual laboratory visualization team and participated in the analysis of an energy disruption scenario. This exercise was conducted by the DOE Office of Energy Assurance. Sandia’s role focused on national infrastructure interdependencies and economic analysis. |
4/13/2005 |
Support for Methodologies in Asset Prioritization |
Based upon a sampling from the National Asset Database, developed a binning system and binned a set of assets. FAST team provided analysis to MAP-IP. |
4/5/2005
4/6/2005 |
NISAC Fast Analysis Daily Report 1 Top Officials (TOPOFF) Exercise TOPOFF 3 NISAC Fast Analysis Daily Report 2 Top Officials (TOPOFF) Exercise TOPOFF 3 |
Using real-time data, provided analyses during the TOPOFF3 exercise. |
2/24/2005 |
Taxonomies – Banking and Finance, Telecommunications |
Worked with Argonne National Laboratories to determine appropriate taxonomic classifications for three infrastructure sectors. |
2/10/2005 |
Assessment of terrorist target selection methodology |
Provided a review of a methodology proposed to DHS for terrorist target selection. |
2/3/2005 |
Iraqi Infrastructure Surety Proposals |
Provided a series of short proposals to leverage capabilities developed under NISAC to enhance Iraqi infrastructure surety. |
10/22/2004 |
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Funding Allocation |
In response to a DHS request, SNL provided an analysis of a formulation designed to equitably distribute funds to metropolitan areas for use in threat protection. Report was submitted by MAP-IP, heavily supported by FAST team. |
9/24/2004 |
Hurricane Jeanne |
Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Engineering Technologies Laboratory provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane for DOE/OEA. |
9/14/2004 |
Hurricane Ivan |
Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane. Some of this information was also provided to DOE/OEA. |
9/9/2004 |
Complexity Work Analysis |
Review of Albert, Albert and Nakarado, "Structural Vulnerability of the North American Power Grid" |
9/2/2004 |
Hurricane Frances |
Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory provided analyses and critical infrastructure information in advance of landfall for this hurricane. |
8/18/2004 |
Senior Officials Exercise - 4 |
Sandia National Laboratories, as part of CIP/DSS, provided analyses and information in preparation for a Senior Officials table-top exercise. We are also leading development of the after-action report. |
7/8/2005 |
Earthquake impact |
Economic /infrastructure implications for fault slip due to a hypothetical M 6.7 earthquake along the Seattle Fault. |
7/6/2004 |
Agricultural Crop Biodefense Architecture Study |
What are economic implications of soy rust spreading in the SE? Presentation to project meeting. |
6/29-30/2004 |
Dark Sun Table Top Exercise |
The DOE OEA conducted two energy emergency table-top exercises. Sandia National Laboratories provided support to the DOE OEA in conducting these exercises. |
6/2-11/2004 |
DOE Energy Disruption Scenario for California |
Sandia National Laboratories, LANL, ANL, ORNL, and NETL formed a virtual laboratory visualization team and participated in the analysis of an energy disruption scenario. Sandia National Laboratories was the scenario developer for this exercise and was also responsible for analysis of national infrastructure interdependencies. |
4/4/2004 |
DOE Energy Disruption Scenario for Southern Florida |
Sandia National Laboratories, LANL, ANL, ORNL, and NETL formed a virtual laboratory visualization team and participated in the analysis of an energy disruption scenario. This exercise was conducted by the DOE Office of Energy Assurance. Sandia’s role focused on national infrastructure interdependencies. |
2/1/2005 |
NISAC’s Capabilities with Regard to Tsunami Impact Calculations for India |
Provided information as to how NISAC could assist in assessments of tsunami impacts. |
1/7/2004 |
Portland Oregon exercise |
Provide support for exercise. No report produced. |
3/9/2004 |
Transportation Policy Analysis |
Transportation and economic analyses were conducted to evaluate the implications of suggested changes in transportation policy for certain transported commodities. The analyses comprised impacts to the railroad and highway transportation industries. |
2/9/2004 |
National Asset Database Development |
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection (IA/IP) - Sandia National Laboratories team conducted a brief analysis of the information and processes that would be required for assembly of a National Asset Database (NADB). (This effort was completed within several days.) |
2/17/2004 |
National Asset Location Identification |
NISAC provided a positive location (geospatial and/or street address) for named assets in the National Asset Database. |
12/24/2003 |
Economic Impacts of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Discovery |
DHS S&T/CIP Portfolio Manager asked the CIP-DSS Sandia National Laboratories team to conduct a one-day analysis of potential economic consequences due to the discovery of a cow in Washington State with BSE (mad cow) disease. (This effort was completed within 8 hours on Dec. 24th, Christmas eve.) |
12/23/2003 |
Analysis of the |
NISAC provided a best-effort infrastructure interdependencies analysis of an asset list provided by DHS. Efforts focused on the chemical, energy, and air transportation infrastructures. (This effort was completed within 30 hours.) |
11/18/2003 |
Scarlet Cloud Exercise Support |
NISAC provided facts, relevant data, and informational support regarding infrastructure impacts for the DHS customer involved in a government-wide exercise involving a theoretical potential biological attack. |
10/31/2003 |
Post-Event Evaluation of |
This report assessed the accuracy and scope of the original NISAC predictions of Hurricane Isabel’s impacts to infrastructure. |
10/28/2003 |
Southern California Wildfire Damage Assessment |
NISAC developed an economic assessment of damage from wildfires in Southern California in the Autumn of 2003, based upon publicly available data. |
9/17/2003 |
Potential Infrastructure Impacts |
NISAC provided an assessment of the potential impacts of Hurricane Isabel to U.S. infrastructure. (This study was completed within 2 days, with an update provided one day later.) |
9/17/2003 |
Electric Power Consequence Analysis |
NISAC performed a consequence analysis with examination of infrastructure interdependencies based on the theoretical loss of a particular substation. |
8/17/2003 |
Railroad Transport Disruption Analysis |
The National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) provided a model and commensurate analysis of the impact of the loss of particular railroad infrastructure assets on the flow of commodities. (This study was completed within 90 days.) |
8/14/2003 |
Chlorine Transport Disruption Analysis |
NISAC identified the economic and public health and safety impacts that would result from potential disruptions to the transportation of elemental chlorine. (This study was completed within 90 days.) |