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5 National Security Threats and How the Government Protects Its Citizens

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5 National Security Threats and How the Government Protects Its Citizens


National security, or national security, is the protection and security of a sovereign country, including its citizens, its economy and its institutions, which is considered a government responsibility.

Conceived as defense against military aggression, national security is understood to include non-military aspects, including defense against terrorism, organized crime, economic security, energy security, environmental protection, food security and cyber security.

Similarly, national security threats include, in addition to the actions of other nation states, the actions of non-state actors, multinational drug companies, and the effects of natural disasters doing for themselves.

Governments rely on various mechanisms, including political, economic, and military power, as well as diplomacy, to maintain the security of the nation.

They can also act to create conditions for security in the regional and international spheres by reducing the causes of insecurity, such as climate change, economic inequality, politics and nuclear proliferation.

Every nation faces threats.

These threats can be social, such as aggression from neighboring countries, the entry of terrorist groups, or the global economic system that undermines the interests of the country.

In other cases, the threat may be natural, such as hurricanes or epidemics. Any threat to the power of national and distort his interests.

The city's security fields promises to such fears. National security protects not only citizens but also the economic stability of national institutions.

In the United States, national security has been a guiding principle of government since at least 1947, when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act.

Among other things, this law created the post of Secretary of Defense Cabinet, under whose direction all branches of the military work. Fundamentally, national security and global security is not the same thing.

National security involves a national government working autonomously to protect its citizens from threats.

Global security involves a coalition of nations working together to ensure that each can enjoy peace and stability; it is a guiding principle of organizations such as the United Nations.

One of the main responsibilities of national security is to identify potential dangers and prepare the right response.

This article will highlight 5 of the country's security threats and provide insight into how the government is responding to them.


What Is a National Security Threat?

Everything plays good personality of the body or puts the stability of economic countries or industry looking at the threat of national security. National security threats can be divided into groups.

Hostile Government

Some national security threats come from foreign governments with malicious intent. These threats can include war and direct invasion. But they can also be more subtle and difficult to detect. Examples include espionage and election interference.

Terrorism

Countries face threats from groups that do not represent a foreign government but may be sponsored or sponsored by foreign countries. Terrorist groups may seek to cause chaos and disorder through physical violence or, in some cases, cybercrime.

Proliferation

An enemy country does not have to resort to immediate violence to be listed as a threat to national security. The concept of proliferation, especially in the case of advanced weapons, can also be taken into account.

If a rogue state is known to be stockpiling chemical weapons, developing nuclear capabilities, or increasing its destructive capabilities, it is considered a threat to national security, even without those weapons and immediate attack.

Cyber ​​crime

Cybercriminals pose a threat to national security, including those who do not belong to opposition governments or terrorist groups. Cybercriminals can break into financial institutions, government websites, or electrical infrastructure to steal or extort money. They can also commit cybercrimes to promote ideological goals.

Disasters and Diseases

Not all national security threats include the negative effects of bad actors. Hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters can cause significant damage to communities and physical infrastructure. Epidemics like COVID-19 wreak havoc on health systems and economies.

 

1. PANDEMIC THREATS

For a recent example of a national security threat, look no further than the COVID-19 pandemic. Although epidemics can spread throughout the world, different countries deal with them in different ways, often with varying degrees of success.

This global health crisis continues to show how infectious diseases affect not only the physical well-being of citizens, but also the social and economic systems. Meanwhile, the global response to COVID-19 has shown how governments can protect themselves from such crises.

 

Ways Disease Disrupts

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every country in the world. In addition to causing a terrible and terrible toll, the virus has shown the great social and economic devastation that epidemics can cause.

• The pandemic has forced many businesses to close temporarily or permanently. This resulted in a huge loss of revenue.

• As companies closed or limited their operations, this led to layoffs and reduced working hours. In the US alone, COVID-19 has pushed the unemployment rate from less than 4% to over 10%.

• The effects of the pandemic have affected different industries at disproportionate levels, with some industries being particularly hard hit. Examples include the travel and hospitality industry.

• The combined effect of free money and rising unemployment has put many countries on the brink of recession and led to a stock market crisis that has affected many US investors.

 

Protect Against Disease

COVID-19 reminds us that the threat of a global pandemic is now real. It is a call to national governments to be prepared. Governments have many ways to protect their citizens from disease and virus threats.

Connect the lab

By consolidating research laboratories, the government can create infrastructure for working together on vaccines and other treatments.

Official communication

Government communication can also play an important role; for example, through clear communication about the importance of hand washing, social distancing, and wearing masks, governments can educate citizens to protect themselves.

Contribution to the economy

Governments can also help the economy, either through full payments to citizens or targeted incentives for companies most affected by the shutdown.

Emergency management

Emergency management systems can be implemented, ensuring that the government has all the appropriate tools to communicate effectively with citizens during emergencies.



2. BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

Some diseases arise on their own, not through cruelty or hostility. However, history also provides many examples of weapons that cause fear. Biological warfare poses a serious threat to national security, but governments can take necessary precautions to reduce this threat.

Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum toxin, classified by scientists as a neurotoxic protein, has many commercial uses, both in food processing and in the manufacture of cosmetics. However, when used as a weapon and transported, it can have serious health effects, including botulism.

The use of botulinum toxin as a weapon began in World War II. Since then, he has been widely classified as a potential contender.

In the 1990s, a Japanese cult, Aum Shinrikyo, released this poison on the streets of Tokyo, causing panic but luckily no deaths.

Anthrax

Anthrax is another thing that can be fought. Anthrax is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This common bacterium has been around for centuries, but was first used during the First World War. During World War II, the United States, Britain and Japan had tested anthrax as a weapon.

At this time, anthrax is the most common means of fighting. In fact, bacteria are simple in nature or produced in the laboratory and can be released quickly and safely.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that anthrax has been used in the past. "In 2001, anthrax powder was intentionally placed in mail sent by the US Post Office," the agency reports. "Twenty-two people, including twelve informants, got anthrax, and five of the twenty-two died."

 

Protect Against Biological Warfare

These are just two types of terrorism that different countries face. Basically, the government can prepare for such an attack using methods like the following:

• The government can train public health workers on how to implement a rapid response.

• The government can provide funds to help public health workers stock up on medicines and treatments.

• Legislation can regulate the possession and transfer of hazardous materials that can be used to develop biological weapons.

• Labs can be kept, ready to test at the first sign of biological warfare.

 

3. CYBERTERRORISM

Another threat to national security is cyberterrorism. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a global think tank, reports several cyber terrorism incidents in 2020 alone.

In India, terrorists infected the computers of human rights activists with malware. Suspected North Korean hackers have hacked two major European security firms, sending them fake job offers to break into their systems and retrieve classified information. These are just two countless examples of criminals using hacking and other digital tricks to cause mayhem and chaos.

 

Types of Cyberterrorism


5 National Security Threats and How the Government Protects Its Citizens


Experts divide cyberterrorism attacks into three different types: simple-unplanned, advanced-planned, and complex-planned.

• Disorganized flow. A terrorist deploys basic hacking tools against a single target; It is another person who made the tools that are commonly used.

• Highly organized attacks. A terrorist carries out sophisticated and targeted attacks against multiple targets.

• Integrated Complexity. A terrorist uses highly sophisticated hacking tools to cause massive disruption, targeting an entire company, state or nation.

 

The Threat of Cyberterrorism

Cyberterrorist activities pose a threat to national security for a number of reasons:

• As banks and financial systems become increasingly digitized and connected to the Internet, many cybersecurity experts believe that hackers can cause widespread economic disruption, which can lead to bankruptcy or collapse in the heart.

• Some also fear that illegally obtained information will be made public. In other words, hackers can compromise government agencies and citizens' privacy.

• Another fear of cyber terrorism is that by breaking into electricity or infrastructure, terrorists can cause chaos in urban areas.

Cyber ​​threats are scary because they can be delivered far, anonymously and cheaply.

 

Protect Against Terrorism

Governments can take various precautions against cyber-terrorist activities.

In the United States, for example, the Department of Defense monitors Americans' interests in cyberspace and maintains a list of individuals who have been identified as threats.

Former President Barack Obama signed an executive order that gave US officials the power to impose sanctions on people suspected of engaging in cyber terrorism against the country.

In addition, governments can provide guidance to businesses and local communities, equipping them with the best practices for implementing strong privacy and cyber security policies.

 



4. CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Climate change can also be considered a threat to national security because its long-term effects can cause environmental disasters.

However, because it is a threat that all countries face and much work is being done to combat climate change through international cooperation, climate change is often a security issue worldwide.

 

Impact of climate change

Climate change has negative effects on national economies in many ways. Here are some examples:

• High seas lead to flooding, which damages property and infrastructure along the coast.

• Extreme droughts and erratic rainfall have been linked to climate change and can disrupt agriculture and supply chains.

• Climate change can also lead to extreme storms and natural disasters, which cause widespread property damage and loss of life.

 

Specific Threats to the United States

Climate change is a global threat; at the same time, some of its implications had a special impact on the United States.  For example, a Pentagon report said that climate change threatens the stability of many critical US military bases.

The report focused on 79 military installations around the world and found that 53 of them are currently at risk from flooding; 43, due to drought; and 36, due to forest fires.


Fight Against Climate Change

Climate change poses great risks. Governments can take practical steps to protect national security interests from climate change and its destruction.

5 National Security Threats and How the Government Protects Its Citizens


• Governments can set emission targets, thereby reducing air pollution.

• The government can encourage the use of electric or hybrid vehicles, mainly through tax incentives.

• Governments can invest in public transport infrastructure, reducing the need for cars on the road.

• Government scientific agencies can educate the public about the dangers of climate change and what actions individuals can take to reduce this threat.

• The government can support carbon farming and other environmentally neutral practices.

• The government can also impose fines on companies that do not comply with environmental standards.

 


5. INTERNATIONAL CRIME

One of the biggest threats to national security is transnational crime. The FBI defines foreign criminal organizations as groups that seek power, influence, or financial gain through illegal activities, regardless of geographic location.

 

Examples of Crimes Across Countries

Transnational criminal groups operate across borders and violate the laws of many countries; as a result, they pose a threat to many countries at the same time. 

Closing the gap may require different national security agencies to work together – a difficult task given jurisdictional issues and conflicts between countries. International crimes can take many forms, including:

• Buying illegal products, including drug trafficking

• Illegal activities, such as human trafficking

• Marketing and sales promotion

 

International Crime Prevention

Different countries treat cross-border crimes in different ways.

In the United States, the FBI has a foreign crime program dedicated to eliminating any criminal activity that threatens American interests.

Specifically, the FBI uses laws like the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which gives them the legal means to disrupt and dismantle entire criminal organizations, rather than individual criminals. According to the FBI, the agency uses a "multi-pronged approach" to locate foreign criminal groups and disable their criminal infrastructure.

Ensuring the safety of the community and its residents

 

Major threats threaten every nation

It is important that the government invests efforts in national security and emergency response, enabling them to identify and prevent any natural or man-made disaster and peace, security and stability.

If you are interested in these goals and want to pursue a career in national security, you can start by learning more opportunities to prepare. Enrolling in an educational program that focuses on community safety and emergency response can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this field.

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