Homeland Security

The world has changed since September 11, 2001.  We remain a nation at risk to terrorist attacks and will remain at risk for the foreseeable future.  On March 1, 2003, approximately 180,000 personnel from 22 different organizations around the government became part of the Department of Homeland Security – completing the most sweeping reorganization of the federal government since the beginning of the Cold War.  This Department combined, under one roof, with a clear chain of command, many agencies responsible for protecting our nation and was created with one single overriding responsibility: to secure the American homeland and to protect the American people.  The FBI has transformed itself into an agency dedicated primarily to the prevention of future terrorist attacks.  The intelligence collection and analytical capabilities of the Central Intelligence Agency have been expanded and strengthened.  The Department of Defense has established a new top-level command whose priority is to protect the American homeland.  The Terrorist Threat Integration Center was established to merge and analyze, in a single place, both foreign and domestic intelligence on global terror.  The Homeland Security Council was created within the White House to help coordinate all homeland security activities across our government.  The government has tripled federal funding for homeland security since 2001.  This includes funding for state and local governments and the private sector to strengthen the defenses of our key infrastructure, communication systems and power grids and transportation networks.

Department of Homeland Security organization

The National Strategy for Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the Department of Homeland Security.  To provide guidance to the 180,000 DHS men and women who are part of this Department, the Department developed its own high-level strategic plan. Click here to access DHS Organization.

Homeland Security Advisory System

The Homeland Security Advisory System is designed to target our protective measures when specific information to a specific sector or geographical region is received.  It combines threat information with vulnerability assessments and provides communications to public safety officials and the public.  There are three components to the Advisory System: Homeland Security Threat Advisories, Homeland Security Information Bulletins, and the Color-coded Threat Level System.  For detailed information on the Homeland Security Advisory System, click here.  The current threat level for the nation is always posted on this site.  Additional information regarding Homeland Security can also be found by clicking here to reach The White House website.