Border |
A line separating countries, states, or areas. For example, the US-Mexico border is tightly guarded by border guards to keep illegal immigrants from crossing over into the United States. |
Immigration |
The act of entering a country to live there permanently. Immigration is a complex issue that often involves issues of national security, as well as political and social ramifications. |
Surveillance |
The act of monitoring people or things. In Homeland Security, surveillance is used to make sure potential terrorist threats are detected before they can be acted upon. Surveillance can involve the use of cameras, drones, or other monitoring devices. |
Terrorism |
The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. In Homeland Security, preventing terrorism is of paramount importance, and acts of terrorism are treated very seriously. Security measures are taken to ensure the safety of the public and to prevent acts of terrorism from occurring. |
Intelligence |
Information that is gathered about an enemy's activities, strengths, weaknesses, and plans, and that is used to plan and carry out military actions against them. The gathering of intelligence is one of the primary roles of Homeland Security agencies. |
Threat |
The potential for harm to come to a person, group, or nation. Homeland Security works to prevent potential threats by gathering intelligence on potential targets, monitoring borders and transportation infrastructure, and developing plans to respond to potential threats. |
Emergency Response |
The actions taken to address an emergency or threat to public safety. Homeland Security agencies are responsible for coordinating emergency response efforts, including providing assistance to victims of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. |
Disaster |
An event resulting in great damage or destruction, especially a natural one. Homeland Security is responsible for helping to prepare for and respond to disasters, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, as well as acts of terrorism and other emergencies that threaten public safety. |
Cybersecurity |
The protection of computer systems and networks from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. Cybersecurity is a growing concern in Homeland Security, as more and more information is stored on computer networks and systems, and as more and more cyberattacks are carried out by terrorist organizations and other groups. |
Intelligence Sharing |
The sharing of intelligence information among government agencies for the purposes of national security. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the US government established systems for sharing intelligence between agencies to help prevent future attacks. Intelligence sharing is a vital part of Homeland Security. |
Border Security |
The measures taken to control or prevent the flow of people and goods across a country's border. Border security is an important part of Homeland Security, and involves monitoring of immigration, customs, and trade. |
Emergency Preparedness |
The state of being prepared for an emergency. Homeland Security agencies work to ensure that the public is aware of the potential for emergencies or disasters to occur and is prepared to respond appropriately, including developing evacuation plans, stockpiling emergency supplies, and other measures. |
Counterterrorism |
The actions taken to prevent, respond to, or mitigate the effects of terrorist attacks. Counterterrorism includes a wide range of activities, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, emergency response planning, and other measures to ensure public safety. |
Disaster Recovery |
The actions taken to recover from a disaster or emergency, including rebuilding infrastructure, providing assistance to victims, and restoring normalcy to affected areas. Homeland Security agencies work to coordinate disaster recovery efforts to ensure that affected communities can quickly return to normalcy after a disaster. |
Nuclear Security |
The measures taken to prevent nuclear terrorism, including the security of nuclear materials and facilities, the prevention of nuclear smuggling, and other measures to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by terrorists. Nuclear security is a key concern for Homeland Security agencies, as the potential for a nuclear terrorist attack is considered to be one of the greatest threats to national security. |
Transportation Security |
The measures taken to ensure the safety and security of transportation infrastructure, including airports, seaports, and other transportation facilities. Homeland Security agencies work to mitigate the risks of terrorist attacks on transportation infrastructure by monitoring potential threats, screening passengers and cargo, and developing emergency response plans. |
Chemical and Biological Security |
The measures taken to prevent or respond to attacks involving chemical or biological weapons. Homeland Security agencies work to monitor the production and use of potentially harmful chemicals and biological agents, and develop response plans to mitigate the effects of an attack. |
Infrastructure Security |
The measures taken to protect important infrastructure, including water treatment plants, power grids, and telecommunications networks. Homeland Security agencies work to identify potential vulnerabilities in infrastructure and develop plans to protect those assets from attacks by terrorists or other groups. |
Disaster Mitigation |
The actions taken to minimize the impact of disasters, including pre-disaster planning, developing evacuation plans, and stockpiling emergency supplies. Homeland Security agencies work to mitigate the effects of disasters by preparing the public and emergency responders for the possibility of disasters, and by developing response plans to ensure a quick and coordinated response. |
Emergency Management |
The coordinated efforts of governmental, private sector, and nonprofit organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, and to mitigate their impact when they occur. Emergency management is a critical part of Homeland Security, and involves developing plans and protocols to ensure that all organizations involved in the response are working together to minimize the impact of a disaster or emergency. |