Dams Sector Publications

Dams Sector reference publications include both open source and those designated as "For Official Use Only" (FOUO). Publications available to stakeholders include strategic documents that describe and guide the sector and its work, handbooks and guides that detail dam security principles, and fact sheets that highlight the sector and several resources.

Strategic Documents

National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP)

Our Nation's well-being relies upon secure and resilient critical infrastructure—the assets, systems, and networks that underpin American society. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) 2013: Partnering for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience outlines how government and private sector participants in the critical infrastructure community work together to manage risks and achieve security and resilience outcomes.

Dams Sector-Specific Plan

The Dams Sector-Specific Plan supports the National Infrastructure Protection Plan by establishing a coordinated approach to national priorities, goals, and requirements for critical infrastructure protection. The Dams Sector-Specific Plan provides the means by which the NIPP is implemented across the sector, as well as a national framework to address the sector's unique characteristics and risk landscape.

Handbooks

Dams Sector Security Awareness Handbook (FOUO)

The Dams Sector Security Awareness Handbook (FOUO) (2022) introduces security concepts, explains how understanding risk is an important component of an overall security program, and highlights how adversaries plan for an attack. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Protective Measures Handbook (FOUO)

The Dams Sector Protective Measures Handbook provides an introduction to risk management, including how to build a protective program inclusive of risk reduction strategies and protective measures. It explains how protective programs should be developed by systematically assessing risk, level of protection, and constraints. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Crisis Management Handbook

The Dams Sector Crisis Management Handbook introduces crisis management concepts, explains how crisis management measures are an important component of an overall risk management framework, and highlights guidelines to apply these concepts to dams and related infrastructure.

Guides

Dams Sector Active and Passive Vehicle Barriers Guide

The Dams Sector Active and Passive Vehicle Barriers Guide assists dam owners and operators in understanding various types of active and passive vehicle barriers and how to incorporate them into their overall security plan.

Dams Sector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2)

The Dams Sector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) can help Dams Sector organizations conduct a self-evaluation to build or improve a cybersecurity program, regardless of the type or size of the organization. The Dams-C2M2 Model is the first document in the Dams-C2M2 suite, with the Implementation Guide as the companion document. The suite was updated in 2022 to incorporate up-to-date cybersecurity concepts and practices relevant to the Dams Sector.

Dams Sector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) Implementation Guide

The Dams Sector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2) Implementation Guide presents a suggested approach to implementing the Dams-C2M2, including evaluating cybersecurity capabilities, communicating capability levels, and informing the prioritization of investments. Options to implement the approach, ranging from simple to complex, can be selected by the organization based on its structure; available personnel and financial resources; and current processes related to planning, gap analysis, and project management. Templates, highlighted in the guide, are accessible for tailoring via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal. Contact the Dams Sector Management Team at DamsSector@cisa.dhs.gov for information on accessing the templates and on training related to Dams-C2M2 implementation.

Dams Sector Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guide

The Dams Sector Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guide enables an organization—regardless of its size, degree of risk, or cybersecurity sophistication—to apply the principles and effective practices of cyber risk management to improve the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure. This framework recommends an approach that enables organizations to prioritize their cybersecurity decisions based on individual business needs without additional regulatory requirements. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Cybersecurity Program Guidance

The Dams Sector Cybersecurity Program Guidance outlines various strategies and methods that owners and operators can use to develop or improve a basic cybersecurity program appropriate to their cyber assets and risk profiles, including industrial control systems (ICS). Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Pandemic Influenza Planning Guide

The Dams Sector Pandemic Influenza Planning Guide assists sector stakeholders in contingency planning for a catastrophic pandemic influenza. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Personnel Screening Guide for Owners and Operators

The Dams Sector Personnel Screening Guide for Owners and Operators provides information that assists in developing and implementing personnel screening protocols. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Security Guidelines

The Dams Sector Security Guidelines consolidates effective industry security practices into a framework to help owners and operators select and implement security activities and measures that reduce risk; improve the protection of personnel, public health, and public safety; and reinforce public confidence. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Surveillance and Suspicious Activities Indicators Guide for Dams and Levees

The Surveillance and Suspicious Activities Indicators Guide for Dams and Levees provides dam and levee owners and operators with information on issues related to surveillance and suspicious activity, including objectives, indicators, reporting methods. and other actions to take to counter surveillance and suspicious activity. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Dams Sector Waterside Barriers Guide

The Dams Sector Waterside Barriers Guide provides information on waterside barriers, including their use and maintenance. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Worldwide Attacks Against Dams Vol. 2

The Worldwide Attacks Against Dams Vol. 2 summarizes real-world events associated with physical attacks on dams, hydroelectric generation facilities, and other related infrastructure from 2012 to 2020. It provides information on potential adversarial actions against dams and related infrastructure. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Dams Sector

The Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Dams Sector describes a plan and strategic vision for voluntarily improving the cybersecurity posture of control systems within the Dams Sector. It also highlights recommended strategies to address the Sector challenges, specifies mitigation requirements, and lists long-term research and development needs regarding control system security. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Levees

The Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Levees provides basic recommendations regarding how to plan and prepare for high water events and identifies some practical steps that could be considered before, during and after such events. The document also provides some basic guidance on how to develop an emergency preparedness plan and introduces basic security concepts. Available via the HSIN-CI Dams Portal.

Fact Sheets

Dams Sector Overview

The Dams Sector Overview provides general information about the Dams Sector, including the partnership framework under which the sector operates.

Dams Sector Profile

The Dams Sector Profile highlights the diverse composition of the Dams Sector, its benefits, and effects on national security.

Dams Sector Risk Management Agency Overview

The Dams Sector Risk Management Agency Overview provides a brief overview of Dams Sector collaboration mechanisms, resources, and training.

Dams Sector Crisis Management Suite

The Dams Sector Crisis Management Suite helps owners and operators to understand the principles of crisis management and build a crisis management program.

Dams Sector Consequence-Based Top Screen

The Dams Sector Consequence-Based Top Screen fact sheet provides information regarding the Consequence-Based Top Screen methodology, its benefits, and its implementation.

For additional information on Dams Sector publications, please contact the Dams Sector Management Team at DamsSector@cisa.dhs.gov.