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National Security Threat Assessment

How to Conduct a National Security Threat Assessment

October 08, 2024

The nation faces numerous threats that can jeopardize our security, public health, and safety every day. From both foreign and domestic terrorism to the troubling increase in drug overdoses caused primarily by synthetic opioids, the stakes are high.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has grouped these threats into four categories: public safety, border security, critical infrastructure, and economic stability. With troubling statistics emphasizing these issues—like nearly 107,000 deaths due to substance overdose in 2021, according to the CDC—grasping these threats is helpful for everyone in the defense industry as well as the citizens these people protect.

What is a National Security Threat Assessment?

A national security threat assessment is essentially a comprehensive evaluation of the potential dangers lurking in the shadows, threatening the safety and stability of our country. It covers many risks, from military and cyber threats to economic and geopolitical challenges.
While this assessment takes a broad view, focusing on global influences, it’s not entirely the same as the homeland security threat assessment, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to identify dangers more relevant to our daily lives, such as domestic terrorism and border security.

Ultimately, both assessments work together to protect our nation, with the national security threat assessment providing a wider perspective on our position in an unpredictable world. It reminds us that our safety is a collective responsibility.

10 Steps To Perform a National Security Threat Assessment

1. Engage Zero Point

Start with an initial discussion with a subject matter expert (SME) on your contract’s objectives. Zero Point’s technical and tactical specialists, systems engineers, logistics experts, and other professionals will share their methodologies and capabilities for collaboration. With our insight, you will get a customized threat assessment plan that aligns with your national security goals.

2. Establish a Core Assessment Team

Assemble a team that includes our SMEs along with your internal experts from different fields like intelligence, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and emergency management.

3. Define the Scope and Objectives

Clearly outline the goals of the assessment, including the specific threats to be evaluated and the assets to be protected. We will refine the scope for maximum coverage.

4. Gather and Analyze Information

Gather data from sources: intelligence reports, public records, and expert interviews. Zero Point’s advanced analytical tools will pinpoint potential threats and evaluate their severity and likelihood.

5. Identify Critical Assets and Vulnerabilities

To properly protect national security, identify the assets that matter most—such as infrastructure, population centers, and government institutions. With our expertise, you can assess the vulnerabilities that could be targeted by potential threats to get a leg ahead of any risks.

6. Evaluate Threats

Categorize the identified threats into groups (terrorism, cyberattacks, natural disasters, etc.) and prioritize them based on their potential impact and odds of occurrence.

7. Develop Risk Scenarios

Create detailed scenarios like Tactical Bomb Technician (TBT) Training that describe how identified threats could materialize and affect critical assets. Use these scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of existing national security solutions and identify gaps while our seasoned veterans and SMEs provide recommendations for improvement.

8. Launch New Strategies

Propose measures to prevent, mitigate, or respond to identified threats. Enact our recommended national security solutions, including policy changes, resource allocation, and adopting new technologies or procedures.

9. Document and Communicate Findings

Prepare a clear and comprehensive report detailing the assessment process, key findings, and actionable recommendations. Share this report with all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and the public, as appropriate. We will support you in developing a successful communication strategy to convey information accurately.

10. Review and Update Regularly

Keep a close eye on the evolving threats and update your assessment whenever new information arises or conditions shift. We are available for ongoing support and regular check-ins to keep your national security strategy ever-strong and adaptive.

Zero Point’s Promise

Zero Point is committed to aligning assessments and strategies with the highest national security standards.

We have a rigorous selection process for our subject matter experts (SMEs)—each is chosen for their extensive operational, contracting, and industry knowledge; most have military or law enforcement backgrounds. This thorough vetting guarantees that only the best professionals work on client projects.