Describe the Concept of Homeland Security

Describe the concept of homeland security and its relationship to homeland defense and national security. In order to describe the concept of homeland security and its relationship to homeland defense and national security, I believe you have to start first by defining their missions. According to Bowman (2003), homeland security is defined as a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism, and minimize the damage and assist in the recovery from terrorist attacks. Additionally Bowman (2003) states that homeland defense is defined as “the military protection of United States territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggression. It also includes routine, steady state activities designed to deter aggressors and to prepare U.S. military forces for action if deterrence fails.”

Homeland Security is broken down into seven different roles which include: immigration, customs, border patrol, FEMA, law enforcement and critical infrastructure protection. Homeland Defense consists of the Coast Guard, CBRNE Support, NORAD and armed conflict (Lt Col DeMaso, 2004). Ever since the September 11th terror attacks and other terror events that have occurred during the 21st century, America has awaken and realized the security challenges it faces (Lt Col DeMaso, 2004). Lt Col DeMaso (2004) also states that the relationship between homeland security and homeland defense is more about the roles and responsibilities each has when it comes to responding during crisis situations. The major concept of homeland security and its relationship to homeland security and national defense is simply to protect our home front first. These agencies have gotten more and more attention because of the variety of threats and attacks to the United States. “The passage of the National Security Act of 1947, created the National Security Council (NSC) with the stated purpose of that council being “. . . to advise the President with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to the national security so as to enable the military services and the other departments and agencies of the Government to cooperate more effectively in matters involving the national security” (U.S. Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service 2011, 6).

One thing that is for sure about the concept of homeland security, homeland defense and national security is that it will continue to change as terrorist threats increase/change, natural disasters occur and any specific preferences of each and every different presidential administration change. Things will continue to change as America will always have to alter their plan and strategy as they do.