Protection is the ability to protect critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) and is vital to the national security, public health and safety, economic vitality, and way of life of the United States. It preserves life and property during a natural disaster or terrorist attacks. Protection safeguards citizens and their freedoms, critical infrastructure, property and the economy from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.107 (1) Protection includes actions to mitigate the overall risk to CI/KR assets, systems, networks, functions, or their interconnecting links resulting from exposure, injury, destruction, incapacitation, or exploitation.108 It involves actions or measures taken to cover or shield from exposure, injury, or destruction. Protective actions may occur before, during, or after an incident and are designed to prevent, minimize, or contain the impact of an incident.109 (2) Protection planning will address structures and processes that are adaptable to incorporate lessons learned and best practices and adjust quickly within the time constraints of a fastmoving crisis or threat environment. This planning should manage risk and address known and potential threats and hazards.110 (FEMA, (Interim) Integrated Planning System (IPS) for Homeland Security (Draft Version 2.3), July 3, 2008 copy, pp. 2-6 through 2-7)