by Department of Homeland Security (Author)
The Banking and Finance Sector accounts for more than 8 percent of the U.S. annual gross domestic product and is the backbone for the world economy. As direct attacks and public statements by terrorist organizations demonstrate, the sector is a high-value and symbolic target. Additionally, large-scale power outages, recent natural disasters, and a possible flu pandemic demonstrate the wide range of potential threats facing the sector. With this understanding, financial regulators and private sector owners and operators work collaboratively to maintain a high degree of resilience in the face of a myriad of potential disasters, be they intentional or unintentional, manmade or natural. This collaboration has led to a comprehensive framework for a strong public-private sector partnership. This partnership has developed several programs that currently provide protection and crisis management, which are continuously improving.