Homeland Security: A Framework for Addressing the Nation's Efforts

• NCJ Number: 191179
• Author(s): David M. Walker
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: US Government Accountability Office; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Testimony before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs; downloaded October 9, 2001

Annotation

This document offers suggestions on how the United States could counter terrorists' threats and how the Government could organize a homeland security program.

Abstract

The United States now confronts a range of increasingly diffuse threats that puts greater destructive power into the hands of small states, groups, and individuals and threatens our country's values and way of life. Threats range from cyber attacks on critical infrastructure to the use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The Federal Government must address three fundamental needs. First, the Government needs clearly defined and effective leadership with a clear vision to develop and implement a homeland security strategy in coordination with all relevant partners, and the ability to marshal the necessary resources to get the job done. Second, a national homeland security strategy should be developed based on a comprehensive assessment of national threats and risks. Third, the large number of organizations that will be involved in homeland security need to have clearly articulated roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms. Crafting a strategy for homeland security involves reducing the risk where possible, assessing the Nation's vulnerabilities, and identifying the critical infrastructure most in need of protection. The strategy should include intelligence assets or other means to identify attackers and prevent attacks before they occur, harden potential targets to minimize the damage from an attack, and effectively manage the consequences of an incident. The strategy should focus resources on areas of greatest need and measure performance against strategic goals. The Federal Government can assign roles to Federal agencies once the strategy is developed, but also will need to develop cooperative partnerships with State and local governments as well as with private and not-for-profit sectors. Effective homeland security also will require forming international partnerships to identify attackers, prevent attacks, and retaliate if there are any attacks.