Systems analysis, risk analysis, and simulation and modeling to determine the vulnerabilities of the Nation’s critical infrastructures and the effectiveness of the systems deployed to reduce those vulnerabilities.

Economic and policy analysis to assess the distributed costs and benefits of alternative approaches to enhancing security.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of measures deployed to enhance the security of institutions, facilities, and infrastructure that may be terrorist targets.

Identification of instances when common standards and protocols could improve the interoperability and effective utilization of tools developed for field operators and first responders.

Assistance for Federal agencies and departments in establishing testbeds to evaluate the effectiveness of technologies under development and to assess the appropriateness of such technologies for deployment.

Design of metrics and use of those metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of homeland security programs throughout the Federal Government, including all national laboratories.

Design of and support for the conduct of homeland security-related exercises and simulations.

Creation of strategic technology development plans to reduce vulnerabilities in the Nation’s critical infrastructure and key resources.