Homeland Security vs. National Security
Based upon the opinions stated in the video lecture and research obtained online, it would appear that even “experts” cannot completely agree on the definitions of homeland security and national security. However, there are several basic distinctions; national security is generally associated with foreign affairs and defense, while homeland security is associated with preparing for and protecting the nation against terrorism and other hazards such as natural or man-made disasters, as well as public health emergencies.
According to the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the Department of Homeland Security has three focal missions: (1) to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks here at home; (2) protect the American people, critical infrastructure and resources; and, (3) respond to and recover from disasters caused by natural or man caused disasters. (DHS, 2007)
Homeland Security Legislated Responsibilities
Legislatively, the Department of Homeland Security exists to prevent terrorist attacks by preventing dangerous people and material from entering the country. This is accomplished by securing our air, land, and sea borders.
Most importantly, the Department of Homeland Security’s mission is to ensure that the nation remains resilient to all types of disasters. (Kahan, 2017)
National Security
National Security seems to be about protecting us from other nations and the preservation of the United States.
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When the topic of Homeland Security is introduced, the first thought that comes to mind is either 9/11 or the Transportation Security Administration, TSA for short. No matter the reference, most Americans know that Homeland Security has something to do with Terrorism. Until an actual attack occurs, or election season begins, the average person may never give any thought or credit to the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security goes far beyond terrorism and terrorism prevention. Homeland Security does not just encompass holding individuals up at airports for multiple hours to intentionally hinder passengers from catching their flight out of the Caribbean. Homeland Security is multiple levels of legislation; law and policy to prevent
The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for “consolidating existing federal government response plans into a single, coordinated national response plan.” (GAO Reports. 2007.) The Homeland Security Act of 2002 allows them to handle all sorts of disasters from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. DHS also “Operates the Federal
The components of DHS are Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Customs Service and the last federal agency the Secret Service (Oliver, W. M., Marion, N. E., & Hill, J. B. 2015). These components will help secure the protection of the people of the United States from terrorist attacks and any other disasters such as the preparation for a nuclear attack that possible deals with chemical, radiologist, and biologist or any other man-made material. The Department of Homeland goal is to also focus more on how to help the people to prepare for emergency preparedness and how to properly response if any act occurs and to also know how to properly recover
The Department of Homeland Security plays in a very important part in terrorism. DHS protect the United States from foreign and domestic threats to the United States. One of the missions is to find and destroy any weapon of mass destruction. Cyberspace is a threat to the United States in the technology field. DHS have to stop threats, hazards and disasters in its tracks at large public gatherings.
As previously mentioned, the purpose of the Department of Homeland Security is to promote concerted nationwide efforts in securing the American homeland and way of life. This purpose is achieved through securing the nation's borders, thwarting terrorist attacks, and responding to threats effectively. The department also works to thwart, contain, and counter threats from international criminal activities and national disasters. As part of accomplishing its objectives, the Department of Homeland Security has
Some responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security to insure the safety and security of America from terrorism and other major problems. The main focus of Homeland Security terrorism, border security, customs and emergency management. The major controversy of the Department of Homeland Security is terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security was established on November 25, 2002. It was created for the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
The homeland security is a department responsible for developing various mechanisms aimed at ensuring that the country is safe. The main focus of homeland security is to shield or reduce the cases of terror attacks. The prevention and response to both manmade and natural disasters also fall under homeland security (McElreath, Jensen, and Wigginton, 10). The Department of Homeland Security, therefore, has a broad range of responsibilities. At its formation in 2003, the department was composed of twenty-two federal agencies with over 180,000 employees. Homeland security’s formation was necessitated by the September 11th attacks in United States. Today, the Department of Homeland Security
Homeland Security is a relatively new concept that became a national issue following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. There are multiple definitions that define what Homeland Security is. According to Defining Homeland Security: Analysis and Congressional Consideration, “Homeland Security, regardless of the definition or strategic document, is a combination of law enforcement, disaster, immigration, and terrorist issues. It is the responsibility of civilian agencies at all levels. It is a coordination of efforts at all levels of government” (Reese, 2013). The 2010 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review and Report defines Homeland Security as” a concerted national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive”. (Homeland Security, 2010) There are multiple Federal, State and Local agencies involved in
DHS has a specific purpose, and mission. The vision of homeland security is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. Three key concepts form the foundation of our national homeland security strategy designed to achieve this vision: Security, Resilience, and Customs and Exchange.
In response to what marked the United States forever, the September 11 attacks, the federal government procreated what is known as The Department of Homeland Security. The main responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security consisted of having to protect the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. In another words, the existence of the Department of Homeland Security is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. Though many different government agencies see and define Homeland Security accordingly to their protocol, the National Strategy for the Department of Homeland Security was able to
The Department of Homeland security was founded shortly after the horrendous attack of the world trade center’s twin towers on November 11, 2001. Congress ultimately passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and President Bush signed the bill into law on November 25, 2002. It was the largest U.S. government reorganization in the 50 years since the United States Department of Defense was created. The main priority of the DHS is to protect the United States from terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. The stated goal of the DHS is to prepare for, prevent, and respond to domestic emergencies, particularly terrorism. The DHS has over 200,000 employees making it the third largest cabinet in the United States after the Departments
Later, the federal, state, and local government responses to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina expanded the concept of homeland security to include significant disasters, major public health emergencies, and other events that threaten the United States, its economy, the rule of law, and government operations (2). Homeland security is the combination of law enforcement, immigration, disaster relief, and terrorist activities within the United States’ borders. This would be based on the local agencies and civilian departments to safeguard the people from any threat within while being assisted by the government. In some aspects of terror attacks, there will be a combination of both homeland security and homeland defense. 9/11 is the perfect example as homeland security was responding to the local disasters and threats while the homeland defense, military, was deploying to get to the root of the threats. This is essential to the way homeland security operates because this will stop the attack on the nation’s soil before it reaches the borders and local government agencies are required. The biggest issue with the homeland security aspect is that the
“We have learned as a Nation that we must maintain a constant, capable, and vigilant posture to protect ourselves against new threats and evolving hazards. But we have also learned that vigilance and protection are not ends in and of themselves, but rather necessary tools in the service of our national purpose.”(Napolitano, 2010, p.iv) In the wake of the September 11th, 2001 attacks our nation has taken upon itself extreme vigilance to ensure the security and defense of the American people. The relationship between homeland security and homeland defense is one that is tightly knit. Each has a very distinct mission set but somewhere along the spectrum they cross over and mutually support each other in the best interest of the nation.
The Department of Homeland Security is to protect the nation from any type of threats. Through the Department of Homeland Security are areas such as, aviation, border security, emergency response cybersecurity analyst and chemical facility inspector (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, n.d.). Department of Homeland Security went through a complete overhaul, as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack. “…the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2002 established the Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and created the position of Homeland Security”
Homeland security and homeland defense both have separate missions and responsibilities that fall to them. Homeland security is tasked with ensuring our nations borders are secure to include immigration, disaster relief, and preventing future terrorist attacks. “The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country” (About the Department of Defense (DoD)). They may both have separate primary missions, yet they still coordinate and work with one another in the event of an attack on U.S. soil. They must continue to