GPS disruptions : efforts to assess risks to critical infrastructure and coordinate agency actions should be enhanced.

PDFTech ReportGAO-14-15Global Positioning SystemGovernment agenciesRisk assessmentRisk managementNational securityInfrastructureInteragency relationsStrategic planningCoordinationUnited StatesUnited States. Government Accountability OfficeGoldstein, MarkKirschbaum, JosephUnited States. Government Accountability OfficeUS Transportation CollectionTo assess the risks and potential effects from disruptions in the GlobalPositioning System (GPS) on critical infrastructure, the Department of HomelandSecurity (DHS) published the GPS National Risk Estimate (NRE) in 2012. Indoing so, DHS conducted a scenario-based risk assessment for four criticalinfrastructure sectors using subject matter experts from inside and outside ofgovernment. Risk assessments involve complex analysis, and conducting a riskassessment across multiple sectors with many unknowns and little data ischallenging. DHS\ue2\u20ac\u2122s risk management guidance can be used to help address suchchallenges. However, we found the NRE lacks key characteristics of riskassessments outlined in DHS\ue2\u20ac\u2122s risk management guidance and, as a result, isincomplete and has limited usefulness to inform mitigation planning, priorities,and resource allocation. A plan to collect and assess additional data andsubsequent efforts to ensure that the risk assessment is consistent with DHSguidance would contribute to more effective GPS risk management