What is Homeland Security?

Author: Jonathan B. Smith

Date: September 1, 2004

Michigan State University 's School of Criminal Justice
Foundations of Homeland Security
Professor Phillip D. Schertzing, Ph.D.
Module 1: Course Overview and Orientation to ANGEL

Prior to enrolling in Foundations of Homeland Security and reading our course materials, I had a much narrower view of homeland security. This narrow view is based upon the Department of Homeland Security's initial mission (see below), which has since been refined and expanded (see below).

Below is an Op-Ed response that I submitted to Your Biz: The Detroit Region's Small Buisness Toolkit, in March 2004:

YOUR TURN - Homeland Insecurity?
Last week we asked for your take on the state of homeland security in the Detroit Region. Your answers ran the gamut. Here's one reader's reply:

The Department of Homeland Security can develop the plans and implement the systems to help mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks to our homeland. However, their plans and systems are not fool proof. There will always be loopholes in the system and it is everyone's responsibility to help "plug the gaps."

Jonathan B. Smith

Homeland security has the following strategic objectives:

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/book/sect1.pdf

Definitions

Homeland Security (HLS)is defined as the deterrence, prevention, and preemption of, and defense against, aggression targeted at U.S. territory, sovereignty, population, and infrastructure as well as the management of the consequences of such aggression and other domestic emergencies.

Source: http://www.homelandsecurity.org

alternative definition:

Protect the people and facilities of the U.S. within the country. Homeland security is a concerted national effort to:

• Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States,
• Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and
• Minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur.

Source: http://www.uscg.mil/news/reportsandbudget/Maritime_strategy/USCG_Maritme_Strategy.pdf

Homeland Defense (HLD) is the protection of U.S. territory, domestic population and critical infrastructure against military attacks emanating from outside the United States.

Source: http://www.uscg.mil/news/reportsandbudget/Maritime_strategy/USCG_Maritme_Strategy.pdf

Difference between HLS and HLD,

• U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOMM) is a military organization whose operations within the United States are governed by law.
• Posse Comitatus Act prohibits direct military involvement in law enforcement activities.
• Missions are limited to:
  • Military homeland defense
  • Civil support to lead federal agencies.

Source: http://www.uscg.mil/news/reportsandbudget/Maritime_strategy/USCG_Maritme_Strategy.pdf

What will the DHS do? (Circa 2002)

"It’s designed to oversee America’s defenses against terrorist attack . . . It will explore ways to respond to terror attacks involving chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, and work to better coordinate intelligence about terrorist threats."

Source: http://cfrterrorism.org/security/dhs.html

DHS Vision / Mission / Strategic Goals (Sept. 2004)

Vision
Preserving our freedoms, protecting America ... we secure our homeland.

Mission
We will lead the unified national effort to secure America. We will prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.

Strategic Goals

Awareness -- Identify and understand threats, assess vulnerabilities, determine potential impacts and disseminate timely information to our homeland security partners and the American public.

Prevention -- Detect, deter and mitigate threats to our homeland.

Protection -- Safeguard our people and their freedoms, critical infrastructure, property and the economy of our Nation from acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

Response -- Lead, manage and coordinate the national response to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

Recovery -- Lead national, state, local and private sector efforts to restore services and rebuild communities after acts of terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

Service -- Serve the public effectively by facilitating lawful trade, travel and immigration.

Organizational Excellence -- Value our most important resource, our people. Create a culture that promotes a common identity, innovation, mutual respect, accountability and teamwork to achieve efficiencies, effectiveness, and operational synergies.

Source: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/theme_home1.jsp

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