Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano offers an insightful analysis of American security at home and a prescription for the future. Created in the wake of the greatest tragedy to occur on U.S. soil, the Department of Homeland Security was handed a sweeping mandate: make America safer. It would encompass intelligence and law enforcement agencies, oversee natural disasters, commercial aviation, border security and ICE, cybersecurity, and terrorism, among others. From 2009-2013, Janet Napolitano ran DHS and oversaw 22 federal agencies with 230,000 employees. In How Safe Are We?, Napolitano pulls no punches, reckoning with the critics who call it Frankenstein's Monster of government run amok, and taking a hard look at the challenges we'll be facing in the future. But ultimately, she argues that the huge, multifaceted department is vital to our nation's security. An agency that's part terrorism prevention, part intelligence agency, part law enforcement, public safety, disaster recovery make for an odd combination the protocol-driven, tradition-bound Washington D.C. culture. But, she says, it has made us more safe, secure, and resilient. Napolitano not only answers the titular question, but grapples with how these security efforts have changed our country and society. Where are the failures that leave us vulnerable and what has our 1 trillion dollar investment yielded over the last 15 years? And why haven't we had another massive terrorist attack in the U.S. since September 11th, 2001? In our current political climate, where Donald Trump has politicized nearly every aspect of the department, Napolitano's clarifying, bold vision is needed now more than ever.

Provides a comprehensive account of past and current homeland security reorganization and practices, policies and programs in relation to government restructuring.

In 2003, the President and the U.S. Congress established the Department of Homeland Security. From the beginning, its mission was clear: prevent terrorist attacks, protect against threats to America's safety and security, and prepare the nation to respond effectively to disasters, both natural and man-made. This monumental mission demands a comprehensive strategy. It also requires a crystal-clear explanation of that strategy to Americans and their allies worldwide. In a revealing new book, Homeland Security: Assessing the First Five Years, Michael Chertoff provides that explanation. In a refreshingly candid and engaging manner, America's former homeland security secretary depicts the department's long-term approach, what it has achieved, and what it has yet to do. The strategy begins with the threats America faces, from terrorist groups like al Qaeda to hurricanes like Ike or Gustav. "Once these threats are identified," Chertoff writes, "we can confront them, using every tool at our disposal. We can stop terrorists from entering the country, and discourage people from embracing terrorism by combating its lethal ideology. We can protect our critical assets and reduce our vulnerabilities to natural disasters. We can plan and prepare for emergencies and respond in a way that minimizes the consequences. And we can work closely with our allies abroad to reduce the risk of future disasters." In each of these areas, Chertoff informs the reader what the nation has done and what it still must do to secure its future. How well has this strategy fared in a post-9/11 world? Since that fateful day, there have been no global terror attacks on American soil. Yet in the face of continued dangers, Michael Chertoff warns repeatedly against complacency. He urges America and its leaders to strengthen their resolve, stay the course, and build creatively on past successes.

Drawing on two decades of government efforts to "secure the homeland," experts offer crucial strategic lessons and detailed recommendations for homeland security. For Americans, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, crystallized the notion of homeland security. But what does it mean to "secure the homeland" in the twenty-first century? What lessons can be drawn from the first two decades of U.S. government efforts to do so? In Beyond 9/11, leading academic experts and former senior government officials address the most salient challenges of homeland security today.

"Learn About the United States" is intended to help permanent residents gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government as they prepare to become citizens. The product presents 96 short lessons, based on the sample questions from which the civics portion of the naturalization test is drawn. An audio CD that allows students to listen to the questions, answers, and civics lessons read aloud is also included. For immigrants preparing to naturalize, the chance to learn more about the history and government of the United States will make their journey toward citizenship a more meaningful one.

Homeland Security: The Essentials, Second Edition concisely outlines the risks facing the US today and the structures we have put in place to deal with them. The authors expertly delineate the bedrock principles of preparing for, mitigating, managing, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. From cyberwarfare, to devastating tornadoes, to car bombs, all hazards currently fall within the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, yet the federal role must be closely aligned with the work of partners in the private sector. The book lays a solid foundation for the study of present and future threats to our communities and to national security, also challenging readers to imagine more effective ways to manage these risks. - Highlights and expands on key content from the bestselling book Introduction to Homeland Security - Concisely delineates the bedrock principles of preparing for, mitigating, managing, and recovering from emergencies and disasters - Provides coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing - Explains the border security, immigration, and intelligence functions in detail - Analyzes the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for critical infrastructure protection - Explores the emergence of social media as a tool for reporting on homeland security issues

This book is devoted primarily to papers prepared by American and Russian specialists on cyber terrorism and urban terrorism. It also includes papers on biological and radiological terrorism from the American and Russian perspectives. Of particular interest are the discussions of the hostage situation at Dubrovko in Moscow, the damge inflicted in New York during the attacks on 9/11, and Russian priorities in addressing cyber terrorism.

Homeland security is a massive enterprise that gets larger by the moment. What was once mostly a TSA/aviation concern has evolved into a multidimensional operation covering a broad array of disciplines. These include critical infrastructure protection, border security, transportation security, intelligence and counterterrorism, emergency management, immigration and naturalization, and public health. Homeland Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice, Second Edition provides students and practitioners alike with the latest developments on the makeup, organization, and strategic mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This new edition is fully updated with new laws, regulations, and strategies that reflect changes and developments over the last several years. The book offers unique insights into the various roles of multi-jurisdictional agencies and stakeholders at all levels of government—including law enforcement, the military, the intelligence community, emergency managers, and the private sector. Coverage includes: The history of security threats in the American experience, the events leading up to 9/11, and the formation and evolution of the DHS The legal basis and foundation for the DHS The nature of risk and threat Training and preparatory exercises for homeland security professionals How states and localities can work compatibly with federal policy makers Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in both the pre- and post-9/11 and post-Katrina world The agencies and entities entrusted with intelligence analysis Issues surrounding border security, immigration, and U.S. citizenship Homeland security practice in the airline, maritime, and mass transit industries—including national, regional, and local rail systems The interplay between public health and homeland security Each chapter contains extensive pedagogy, including learning objectives, informative sidebars, chapter summaries, end-of-chapter questions, web links, and references to aid in comprehension and retention. Homeland Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice, Second Edition is the only book to provide an objective, balanced perspective on each of the core components that comprise the DHS’s mission and the priorities and challenges that federal and state government agencies continue to face.

Suitable for undergraduate students entering the field of Homeland Security, and for Criminal Justice students studying their role in a post-9/11 world, Introduction to Homeland Security is a comprehensive but accessible text designed for students seeking a thorough overview of the policies, administrations, and organizations that fall under Homeland Security. It grounds students in the basic issues of homeland security, the history and context of the field, and what the future of the field might hold. Students will come away with a solid understanding of the central issues surrounding Homeland Security, including policy concepts as well as political and legal responses to Homeland Security.