What Is the Homeland Security Threat-Level System?

The Homeland Security Threat-Level System informs the public of potential terrorist threats.

The Homeland Security Threat-Level System, or Homeland Security Advisory System, is a system to help the different government officials around the country coordinate protective measures against terrorist threats.

HSPD 3

The Homeland Security Threat Level System was started under the orders of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3 in early 2002.

Color-Coded

The threat system has five color-coded levels of severity, ranging from Green/Low to Red/Severe.

Threat Advisories

In addition to the color-coded system, threat advisories may be issued containing information about specific threats to national infrastructure that can be acted upon by local officials.

Information Bulletins

If the Department of Homeland Security wishes to release information that does not meet the threshold for specificity or significance for a Threat Advisory, it may be released in an Information Bulletin.

Agency-Specific Protective Measures

Individual agencies in the government have their own plans for measures to be implemented when the threat level is placed at a specific point.

References

• Department of Homeland Security: About the Homeland Security Advisory System
• Department of Homeland Security: HDPD 3