DHS’s Newly Published National Critical Functions to Inform and Prioritize Risk Management Efforts  

The National Risk Management Center (NRMC) at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published its list of “National Critical Functions,” which it defines as “The functions of government and the private sector so vital to the United States that their disruption, corruption, or dysfunction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.” The National Critical Functions are presented in four areas – supply, distribute, manage, and connect – and include services provided by the water and wastewater sector, such as “supply water” and “manage wastewater.” Identification of the National Critical Functions is intended to inform a range of risk management activities, including setting priorities for investments in infrastructure security and resilience. The NRMC also states that the National Critical Functions are a foundational element for the development of a “Risk Register,” which will identify scenarios that could potentially cause national-level impacts. The NRMC notes it will look to representatives from across government as well as the private sector to assist with developing the Risk Register.