DHSDHS top priorities: addressing terrorism, cyberthreats, and extreme weather risks

Published 2 July 2014

In its second quadrennial review, DHS outlined the department’s efforts to enhance the five homeland security objectives detailed in the first review, issued in 2010. Combating terrorism remains DHS’s primary mission, but recent disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and domestic terrorism events such as the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, along with cyberthreats against the nation’s infrastructure, have led the agency to adopt a risk-based approach to significant threats from both terrorism and natural disasters.

In its second quadrennial review, DHS outlined the department’s efforts to enhance the five homeland security objectives detailed in the first review, issued in 2010. Combating terrorism remains DHS’s primary mission, but recent disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and domestic terrorism events such as the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, along with cyberthreats against the nation’s infrastructure, have led the agency to adopt a risk-based approach to significant threats from both terrorism and natural disasters.

Emergency Management reports that the 104-page review considers disastrous weather events a growing challenge, citing Hurricane Sandy, which killed at least 117 people and knocked out power to 8.5 million residents. A changing climate will only increase the risk of more natural disasters, and such risk, combined with an aging infrastructure and population increases in vulnerable areas, sets the stage for a catastrophe.

DHS has revised its five security objectives to reflect current and anticipated threats:

To prevent terrorism and enhance security is the cornerstone of the department’s efforts, and those efforts must evolve with the threats. The Boston Marathon bombings proved that the war on terrorism includes domestic-based “lone offenders” who are difficult to detect. DHS must continue to engage the public and private sector through campaigns such as the “If You See Something, Say Something,” and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, along with partnerships with state and local governments.

Security and management of the borders must be improved to “exclude terrorist threats, drug traffickers and other threats to national security, economic security and public safety,” the review states. Enhanced technology to screen incoming cargo at ports and monitoring international travel with the help of foreign governments will enable those efforts.

Enforcement of immigration laws is a matter of homeland security. The review says, “immigration reform that enhances border security, prevents and discourages employers from hiring undocumented workers and provides an earned pathway to citizenship” is supported by DHS.

The growing cyberthreat affects essential services such as water, energy, transportation, telecommunications, and financial services. DHS must improve information sharing with the public and private sector to ensure that new infrastructure is built to be more secure and resilient, and current infrastructure is well protected. The Homeland Security News Wire reported earlier this week about a new Senate cybersecurity bill which would provide a legal framework for the private sector to share information about cyberattacks with government. DHS supports the legislation.

Preparedness and resilience initiatives are positive investments. Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina have improved disaster planning with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations and the private sector.

The complete 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security review is available for viewing.