Importance of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a very important mission and that is protecting the United States from threats, hazards, and national disasters. DHS carries out this mission by securing America's borders, preventing terrorist attacks, and responding to threats to the American people. National disasters and international criminal activities are other areas that the DHS works to counter, contain, and prevent. Vigilance, duty, respect, and innovation are the core values of the DHS and it helps to define the purpose for this national protection agency.
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Purpose
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Leading a unified national effort with securing the country and preserving the American way of life are vital roles for the Department of Homeland Security. This organization was created in 2002 in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. DHS has a national strategic plan that is used to evaluate and update the department's mission statement and operational effectiveness. National strategic plans can be updated and changed to meet the needs of the DHS and the American people.
Principals
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Safeguarding American citizens' Constitutional rights and protecting the powerful American economy are some of the major guiding principles of the Department of Homeland Security. Involving the culture in the process of protecting America is an important principle because having prepared citizens who understand how to respond to disasters or threats reduces the loss of lives and property. Since America is a vast country with many layers of authority, unifying these different agencies under one governing body is another major objective for the DHS. Employing emerging technologies, integrating response teams, assuring accountability, and applying risk assessment programs are some of the other primary principles of the DHS.
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Borders and Goods
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The DHS national strategic plan has goals and objectives for protecting the nation's borders and for preventing illegal goods from entering into the United States. America's ports (air and water) and territory must be protected from terrorism, illegal immigrants, illegal contraband and goods, and biological/nuclear devices. Screening infrastructure, nuclear/biological infrastructure, inspection, investigation, education, and prevention are the methods that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will use to secure America's points of entry. Evaluation procedures are utilized by the department to ensure that the goals and objectives are met.
Infrastructure and Responders
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America's infrastructure is important to the nation's economic well being and way of life. Without these two aspects of American society, the country would have a hard time functioning as a free nation. DHS has an important role with protecting the nation's transportation networks, communications systems, power structures, and cyber infrastructure. Emergency responders are trained to handle various threats and man-made and natural hazards. There are evaluation procedures for these two types of departments.
Department Framework
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All of the 22 departments of Homeland Security are tied together to implement department-wide goals and performance standards. Goals and department assessments are important because they reveal the department's preparedness capability for handling any type of potential threat or disaster. There are many factors that make securing America a challenge and if the Department of Homeland Security doesn't properly train, evaluate, assess, and adapt, then it will not be able to carry out the objective of protecting the American way of life.
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References
- One Team, One Mission, Securing our Homeland: Vision (p 3)
- One Team, One Mission, Securing our Homeland: Introduction (p 2)
- One Team, One Mission, Securing our Homeland: Principals (p 4)
- One Team, One Mission, Securing our Homeland: Goals and Objectives (p 6-12)
- One Team, One Mission, Securing our Homeland: Goals and Objectives (p 14-20)
Resources
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