KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

1. Actions Needed to Improve DOD Antiterrorism Program Implementation and Management The services and installation commanders are taking steps to reduce their vulnerabilities, but overall progress is difficult to measure and is limited by certain conditions. For example, each service has servicewide initiatives to reduce vulnerabilities, such as creating vulnerability assessment programs and developing terrorism awareness training. In addition, installation commanders have efforts underway to reduce specific vulnerabilities, such as installing perimeter fencing and gates. The Department's overall progress in reducing vulnerabilities, however, is unmeasurable because there was no requirement for installation commanders to report how vulnerabilities are addressed, and no tracking system to record Department-wide related corrective actions. Progress in reducing vulnerabilities is also affected by certain conditions that may limit the actions taken by commanders to address identified vulnerabilities. Specifically, limited funding has forced installation commanders to choose between antiterrorism and other base operations projects such as runway repairs and road improvements. In addition, according to Joint Staff and installation officials, a sense of security and complacency may have developed at installations because of the estimated low-threat environment in the United States, resulting in a lower priority for antiterrorism initiatives. 2. Selected Challenges and Related Recommendations Concerned about the preparedness of the federal government and state and local emergency responders to cope with a large-scale terrorist attack involving the use of weapons of mass destruction, the Congress in section 1035 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (P.L. 106-398) mandated that GAO report on the strategies, policies, and programs for combating domestic terrorism involving weapons of mass destruction. As agreed with your offices, this report assesses - the current framework for leadership and coordination of federal agencies'efforts to combat terrorism on U.S. oil, and proposals for change; - Progress the federal government has made in developing and implementing a national strategy to combat terrorism domestically; - the federal government's capabilities to respond to a domestic terrorist incident; - progress the federal government has made in helping state and local emergency responders prepare for a terrorist incident; and - progress made in developing and implementing a federal strategy for combating cyber-based attacks.