Bush releases national strategy for Homeland Security

Sep 1, 2002 12:00 PM

President Bush has unveiled the first National Strategy for Homeland Security, a 90-page guide to mobilizing and organizing the nation to secure the U.S. Homeland from terrorist attacks. The strategy calls for a coordinated effort of the Federal government, state and local governments, the private sector and average citizens throughout the country.

“A national strategy requires a national effort,” the document states. “The private sector is a key Homeland security partner. Its creative genius will develop the information systems, vaccines, detection devices and other technologies and innovations.”

The strategy focuses Homeland security into six critical areas: intelligence and warning; border and transportation security; domestic couterterrorism; critical infrastructure protection; defending against catastrophic terrorism; and emergency preparedness and response. Each facet of Homeland security carries many different missions.

Intelligence and warning encompasses the five-color Homeland Security Advisory System and information gathering by governmental agencies. Domestic counterterrorism includes facilitating communication between government agencies concerning terrorists and their apprehension. Defending against catastrophic threats includes implementation of detection devices, such as those designed to locate chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. It also involves chemical sensors, decontamination technology and vaccines.

Having the most impact on the security industry are initiatives involving border and transportation security and infrastructure protection — which will merge physical and IT security functions. The strategy specifically calls for a plan to “secure cyberspace,” through IT security professionals partnered with the government.

“With a better picture of these responsibilities, all of us can direct money and manpower to meet them,” Bush said.

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