Introduction to Defense and Security
Strategic Challenges Confronting Defense and Security Policymakers
Course Overview
In today’s globally unstable security environment, industries of strategic economic and organizational importance are increasingly targeted by terrorist actors or cyber attackers. Effective defense and security measures are essential to safeguard complex networks of electricity, oil, and natural gas infrastructures, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply and supporting the overall stability and welfare of nations worldwide. Implementing advanced security enhancement processes, including planning and migrating system components to modern technologies, ensures operational continuity and resilience. The full benefits of these security enhancements are realized only when comprehensive upgrades are applied across the entire system.
The HighPoint Center Introduction to Defense and Security training course provides participants with an in-depth understanding of risk management and mitigation strategies in the context of terrorism and cyber threats. The course emphasizes methodologies for assessing vulnerabilities, evaluating specific risks, implementing controls, and applying strategic decision-making to minimize direct and indirect damage across a variety of attack scenarios.
This course highlights:
- Risk environment and vulnerabilities in the energy sector
- Global trade and defense interdependencies
- Terrorism risk management and mitigation strategies
- Cybersecurity challenges in energy infrastructure
- Emergency response and operational security maintenance
Course Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Identify and understand local and global security challenges
- Recognize security drivers, their impact on stakeholders, opportunities, and implementation challenges
- Develop strategic thinking for policy-making and scenario-based planning
- Apply methodological approaches to analyze and assess risks associated with security threats
- Assess risk identification, estimation, evaluation, and management techniques in the context of terrorism and related threats
- Design and implement terrorism risk mitigation strategies and emergency response plans
Course Audience
This course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, particularly:
- Individuals involved in energy generation, distribution, and storage
- Security managers and cybersecurity professionals
- Intelligence analysts and defense planners
- Energy facility managers and supply chain directors
- Professionals seeking career advancement in energy, environment, and critical infrastructure sectors
- Individuals and institutions engaged in energy security, crisis management, disaster response, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity
- Policymakers and utility staff requiring a comprehensive overview of energy resources and security
Course Methodology
The course utilizes a combination of professional learning techniques to maximize comprehension, retention, and practical application. It is highly interactive and participative, incorporating:
- Instructor-led presentations
- Case studies and scenario analyses
- Group discussions and problem-solving exercises
- Visual aids including videos, simulations, and diagrams
- Hands-on exercises to reinforce learning and decision-making skills
Course Outline
Day 1 – Risk Environment in the Energy Sector
- Oil and natural gas subsector risks and threats
- Electricity subsector vulnerabilities
- Natural disasters and climate resilience
- Workforce development for security operations
- Critical infrastructure interdependencies
- Information sharing and communication mechanisms
Day 2 – Worldwide Trade and Defense Interactions
- Global defense planning and organizational roles
- Geostrategic risks affecting energy security
- Energy sector considerations in modern defense planning
- United Nations and international defense coordination
- Military and corporate decision-making in interconnected trade scenarios
Day 3 – Terrorism Risk Management and Mitigation
- Terrorism risk identification, assessment, and mitigation
- Lessons from situational crime prevention
- Developing corporate resilience against terrorist threats
- Strategic decision-making and emergency preparedness
Day 4 – Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector
- Cybersecurity assessment methodologies
- Building cybersecurity defenses for utility organizations
- Threat detection, intrusion prevention, and testing
- Supply chain cybersecurity and best practices (ISO 27001)
- Communication strategies for regulators before, during, and after cyber incidents
Day 5 – Emergency Response and Security Maintenance
- The three pillars of security: Reliability, Resilience, and Efficiency
- Oil, gas, and electricity security considerations
- Emergency response planning and exercises
- Case studies in energy security and risk management
Certificates