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Homeland Security Components

Sector-Specific Plans

Overview

The Sector-Specific Plans (SSPs) detail the application of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) risk management framework to the unique characteristics and risk landscape of each sector and provide the means by which the NIPP is implemented across all critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) sectors. Each Sector-Specific Agency developed an SSP through a coordinated effort involving their public and private sector CIKR partners.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 7 establishes a national policy for federal departments and agencies to identify and prioritize U.S. critical infrastructure and key resources and to protect them from terrorist attack. HSPD-7 identifies 17 sectors that require protective actions to prepare for, protect, or mitigate against a terrorist attack or other hazards.

The policy also directs the Department of Homeland Security to "evaluate the need for and coordinate the coverage of additional critical infrastructure and key resources categories over time, as appropriate." On March 3, 2008, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff formally established the Critical Manufacturing Sector.

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Sector Partnership Model

The SSPs are the culmination of a national planning effort that reflects thousands of hours of outreach and collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.

The NIPP relies on the sector partnership model as the primary organizational structure for coordinating the nation’s CIKR protection mission. For each critical infrastructure and key resources sector, a Sector Coordinating Council representing the private sector and a Government Coordinating Council have been created to share data, techniques, best practices, and to support systematic risk-based planning. The Department provides guidance, tools, and support to assist these sector-specific groups in working together to carry out their responsibilities.

This collaborative framework has yielded a dynamic plan. The SSPs reflect a consensus starting point, demonstrate progress made, and provide a path forward for further  protection activities. Each SSP will be reviewed on an annual basis and updated regularly, as appropriate.

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The CIKR Sector-Specifc Plans

The following Sector-Specific Plans are available for download:

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This page was last reviewed/modified on December 30, 2008.