Which statement about Sector-Specific Agencies (SSAs) is accurate?

• A. SSAs coordinate protection, preparedness, and response for their sectors.
• B. SSAs coordinate only local actions and do not interface with federal partners.
• C. SSAs have no role in risk reduction.
• D. SSAs are responsible for national border security.

Answer: (A)

Sector-Specific Agencies coordinate protection, preparedness, and response for their sectors, acting as the primary bridge between private sector owners/operators and government partners to reduce risk to critical infrastructure. They lead sector-specific risk assessments, develop protective programs, share information, and support incident response and recovery, all while working with federal, state, local, tribal, and private-sector stakeholders. This makes them the best fit because their role is inherently about managing risk and coordinating across multiple levels of government and industry within a specific sector.

The other statements miss key aspects: SSAs don’t operate only at the local level or without federal interface, they do play a role in risk reduction, and their focus isn’t national border security, which involves a broader set of agencies and responsibilities.