Critical Infrastructure Protection in Homeland Security: Defending a Networked Nation, 2nd Edition

Appendix E Glossary

The following are selected nontechnical definitions of terms from DHS documents such as the Risk Steering Committee's DHS Risk Lexicon of September 2008:

Accidental hazard

source of harm or difficulty created by negligence, error, or unintended failure

Adversary

individual, group, organization, or government that conducts or has the intent to conduct detrimental activities

Asset

person, structure, facility, information, material, or process that has value

Attack method

manner and means, including the weapon and delivery method, an adversary may use to cause harm on a target

Capability

means to accomplish a mission, function, or objective

Consequence

effect of an event, incident, or occurrence

Consequence assessment

process of identifying or evaluating the potential or actual effects of an event, incident, or occurrence

Countermeasure

action, measure, or device that reduces an identified risk

Deterrent

measure that discourages an action or prevents an occurrence by instilling fear, doubt, or anxiety

Economic consequence

effect of an incident, event, or occurrence on the value of property or on the production, trade, distribution, or use of income, wealth, or commodities

Hazard

natural or man-made source or cause of harm or difficulty

Human consequence

effect of an incident, event, or occurrence that results in injury, illness, or loss of life

Incident

occurrence, caused by either human action or natural phenomena, that may cause harm and that may require action

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