Kendall Foster
HSA 401
Chapter 1
Introduction to Homeland Security Key Terms:
1. Fear of terrorism: Following the attacks of 9/11, fear of terrorism became a large social
political problem in the United States. Citizens’ fear of terrorism had escalated
exponentially, in which most feared it more than most other crimes such as homocides.
This is important because there had only been a few terrorist attacks in the United States,
let alone only two driven by those from foreign soil.
2. Homeland Security: Homeland Security refers to the protection of people and assets
within national borders through preventive efforts, along with the responsibility to
actively act upon terrorist attacks, mitigating los of life and damage. The Office of
Homeland Security’s definition is, “a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks
within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and miminize the
damage and recover from attacks that do occur” (Gaines and Kappeler 2012, pg. 6).
3. National Comission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States: Following the lack
of security in result of 9/11, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the
United States (911 Commission) was established to examine past policies and make
recommendation for establishing security. The commission was responsible for
interviewing current and former government officials to assess readiness on a whole.
Through this, a report was made which provided comprehensive and detailed accounts
pertaining to 9/11, in which they reviewed the overall failings of the national security
apparatus at that time. The 911 Commission found that there were multiple intelligence
agencies that had information involving possible attacks and attackers, but not one
agency had successfully put the pieces together.
4. National Strategy for Homeland Security: The Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) issued a report titled, National Strategy for Homeland Security, in 2002 that
provided a comprehensive, detailed roadmap with many of its recommendations
mirroring those of the 9/11 Commision. Within in the report, 6 critical mission areas are
listed: intelligence and warning, border and transportation security, domestic
counterterrorism, protecting critical infrastructure, defending against catastrophic
terrorism, and emergency preparedness and response.
5. Critical infrastructure: DHS was tasked with increasing their ability in collecting
information and providing guidelines to better protect critical infrastructure, which can be
described as assets that are essential for the functioning of society and the economy.
6. Homeland security advisory system: It is a color-coded system used to advise citizens
for potential terrorist-related dangers. The five levels include, Low - low risk of terrorist
attacks, Guarded - general risk of terrorist attacks, Elevated - significant risk of terrorist
attacks, High - high risk of terrorist attacks, and Severe - severe risk of terrorist attacks.
7. Dual use analysis: Dual use analysis refers to monitoring the purchase and use of
material, equipment, and chemicals that have legitimate social purposes, but that can also
be used by terrorists to mount an attack. An example of this would be the Boston
Marathon Bombing, where the terrorist converted pressure cookers into bombs. Ways to
prevent this involve identifying the sale and transfer of such designated items, especially
in large quantities.
8. Smart borders: Smart borders are used as a way to keep illegal aliens from entering into
the United States. It consists of a multilayered composition of land, sea, and air
surveillance which utilizes electronic surveillance such as radar to identify people
entering the country illegally.
9. Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Act: Part of the Reform Immigration
Services, the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Act requires foreign visitors to
possess travel documents that contain biometric information such as fingerprints. By
requiring biometric information, the act helps reduce the forging of documents that can
be utilize by terrorists.
10. Counterterrorism: Following 9/11, counterterrosim has become a critical component of
government action at the federal, state, and local level; state and local government did not
play a large role in counterterrorism prior. To prevent terrorism, federal agencies have
enahnced their coordination, cooperation, information sharing, ad tactical operations.
11. Joint Terrorism Task Forces: The Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) represent a
coordinating body at the federal level to integrate law enforcement counterterrorism
efforts - contain representatives hailing from law enforcement, international law
enforcement, and state and local police. The JTTFs are in charge of coordinating
enforcement and intelligence activities, while also ensuring a continuous flow of
counterterrorism information at all levels of government.
12. National Infrastructure Protection Plan: The National Infrastructure Protection Plan
(NIPP) was created by DHS in 2006 to provide a model for critical infrastructure
protection. However, this model should be constantly reviewed and revised, looking at
how well assets are being protected and can improve.
13. Select Agent Program: The Select Agent Program attempts to regulate the shipment of
biological organisms and toxins, along with the security of laboratories to halt the
potential release of these agents.
14. National incident management system: The DHS developed the national incident
management system as a way to coordinate not only federal agencies, but also those at
the state and local levels, plus private organizations. These include organizations such as
the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and churches.
15. Radio interoperability: Radio interoperability is the radio inconsistency among first
responders. A common problem leading to 9/11 was that first responders could not
communicate with each other because they used different radio frequencies.
16. Push packs: In preparation of a biological, chemical, or radiological attack, the DHS has
formed 12 strategically located sites that contain push packs which contain 600 tons of
antibiotics, vaccines, and medical supplies. These packs can be deployed to a site in less
than 12 hours.
17. Northern Command: The Northern Command is responsible for coordinating the
National Guard and Reserve to respond to catastrophes. They are a unified command that
can coordinate resources and respond quickly in situations.