Critical Infrastructure Protection

Healthcare and Public Health Sector-Critical Infrastructure Protection

The Healthcare and Public Health Sector Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response, leads a unique public and private sector partnership in protecting the essential goods, services, and functions of healthcare and public health that, if destroyed or compromised, would negatively affect the Nation. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides the framework for the healthcare and public health sector protection, as well as 16 other designated critical infrastructure sectors mandated by the Homeland Security Presidential Directive -7.

What we do:

• Implement the NIPP sector partnership and risk management framework
• Develop protective programs to protective actions to defend against, prepare for, and mitigate the consequences of a terrorist attack or other hazards
• Provide guidance on sector critical infrastructure protection in line with NIPP
• Measure the sector's performance toward sector protection priorities
• Encourage information sharing among all sector partners
• Submit an annual sector plan.

Sector vision statement:

• The Healthcare and Public Health Sector will achieve overall resiliency against all threats ― natural and manmade
• Prevent or minimize damage to, or destruction of, the Nation’s healthcare and public health infrastructure
• Preserve its ability to mount timely and effective responses to both routine and emergency situations
• Strive to protect its critical workforce from harm resulting from terrorist or criminal activities, from natural disasters, and from serious infectious disease outbreaks, including those originating outside the United States.

The May 2007 Healthcare and Public Health Sector Specific Plan:

• Reflects unprecedented coordination among the Sector’s public and private partners. Our Sector Partnership Model encompasses Federal, State, local, Tribal, Territorial, and private sector organizations, including owners, operators, and large trade organizations and national associations.
• Provides the road map for strengthening vital infrastructure and reducing vulnerability to all hazards-terrorist attacks and natural disasters alike. 
• Establishes a sector-specific risk-reduction consultative network to exchange best practices and to facilitate rapid threat-based information sharing among the sector’s security partners.

For further information contact CDR Lucienne Nelson (lucienne.nelson@hhs.gov).