Department of Homeland Security World Wide Web Site

Abstract

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. government has initiated, and continues today to implement, a monumental effort to restructure and essentially “redesign” its enormous security resources to do battle with an emerging and growing threat to the American public. From the suicide bomber to purveyors of weapons of mass destruction who seek to bring political and or cultural change through the weapons of fear and intimidation, the global threat of terrorism in all its forms has led the nation’s leaders to conclude that more effective and potent tools and empowered institutions are necessary to confront and defeat the growing menace. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would spearhead the nation’s efforts in both deterring and responding to incidents of terrorism or attacks upon the nation. The formulation and creation of this new government organizational entity has dramatically recast the nation’s frontline defenses against terrorist’s threats. The mission is to essentially rebuild a security framework from existing institutions that will be capable of optimizing and focusing the government’s already sizable