Northern Michigan University’s criminal justice department will host events that revolve around protecting the Upper Peninsula’s critical infrastructure and key resources from hostile acts. InfraGard Michigan Members Alliance Inc. (MI InfraGard), a public-private partnership with the FBI, selected NMU as a host site for presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 8-9. There is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required.

“The idea of a threat to our U.P. infrastructure may seem remote, but experts say that that the possibility for an attack is significant and evolving,” said Bob Hanson, NMU criminal justice professor. “Infrastructure includes not only digital information systems, but energy, bridges, agriculture/food, chemical, commercial facilities, communications, dams, defense industrial bases, manufacturing, health care, nuclear reactors, postal and shipping, schools, water systems, transportation networks and public information channels.”

Presentations will address the InfraGard organization and the critical infrastructure sectors, as well as how information is shared among public and private sector partners. NMU-sponsored events on Tuesday in the University Center Charcoal Room include a breakfast for law enforcement from 8-9 a.m. and a luncheon for critical infrastructure partners from 12:30-2 p.m. Both will feature presenters from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and police department. Register for Tuesday’s meetings at https://michiganinfragard-nmucriticalinfrastructuremeeting.eventbrite.com.

On Wednesday, MI InfraGard will facilitate an interactive tabletop exercise that provides a critical scenario and addresses onset and notification, response and continuity of operations, and recovery. Working groups at each site will approach the exercise questions from the perspective of a specific critical infrastructure sector/organization assigned for that site. The exercise will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in room 109 of the NMU Learning Resources Center. Register at https://mi-infragard-august92017-quarterly-meeting.eventbrite.com.