Construct a response that provides the following related to both homeland security and homeland defense:

• Primary missions, tasks, responsibilities, operations, etc. for:
  • Homeland Security and
  • Homeland Defense.
• Highlight those areas that are shared between the two (what overlaps between HLS and HLD?)
• Lastly, recommend a definition for homeland security.

Using the overarching themes of the National Security Strategy from 2017, provide your own recommendation for new National Strategy for Counterterrorism (it must be nested under the NSS according to the principle of strategic hierarchy). What key elements and focus areas would you suggest for the part of a new CT strategy that is domestic focused (homeland security, not overseas), and make sure to use the Ends, Ways, and Means strategy framework.

Note: You should be aware of the fact that "homeland security" is made up of much more than just DHS. That agency is only one part of a larger Homeland Security Enterprise that includes [DHS] Departmental leaders and components [the 7 field agencies including USCG, CBP, ICE, USSS, etc], state, local, tribal, territorial and private sector partners and others. Also remember there are many other essential federal agencies that play a role in HLS, such as the very important DOJ where the FBI is the lead agency for countering terrorism in the US (not DHS).

 

Homeland Security and Homeland Defense

Introduction

            The maritime borders of the United States are subject to attacks. The U.S. coast is essentially vulnerable to exploitation that compromises the security of critical infrastructure, economy, and safety of the United States. Maintaining a reasonable level of protection requires approaches that ensure that homeland security is not prone to attacks by external adversaries that may steal information. Achieving homeland security is limited by the freedom of navigation, free flow of international trade, and unlimited use of natural flow (Kelly, 2004). Homeland security requires the coordination of several bodies to balance between homeland security and transactions that ensure continuity and development. Department of Defense (DOD), Homeland Security (HLS), and Homeland Defense (HLD) and their shares roles aim at achieving national security. HLS and HLD are the two concepts in national security having different practical applications.

Homeland Security

            The National Strategy for Homeland Security defines Homeland Security as “a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur” (Resdal, n.d.). DHS’s primary mission is to secure the nation from the many threats it is facing.

            Additionally, DHS has six other missions included in its strategic plan. First, it is committed to counter terrorism and homeland security threats. DHS prevents the nation-states and their proxies, groups engaging in criminal acts, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the homeland (Kelly, 2004). Terrorists and criminals have adopted new and advanced techniques and tactics that aim at threatening homeland security (Shaw, 2005). DHS and its partners respond by identifying, detecting and, preventing attacks against the United States. Also, it seeks to secure U.S. borders and approaches to ensure national sovereignty. DHS manages the flow of people and goods into the U.S. to maintain national security. It does this by implementing comprehensive border security to secure and maintain the borders, enforce immigration laws throughout the U.S., prevent and intercept foreign threats from reaching the U.S., and administering immigration benefits appropriately (DHS, 2019b).

            DHS secures cyberspace and critical infrastructure to counter the expanding attack space caused by the increased connectivity of people and devices. Cyberspace has become the most active threat domain and the most dynamic threat to the homeland. Transnational criminal organizations, cybercriminals, nation-states, and their proxies use malicious attacks to steal intellectual property and innovation, undermine critical infrastructure, threaten democratic institutions, and engage in espionage (DHS, 2019a). DHS responds by devising a mechanism of securing federal civilian networks, strengthening the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, combating cybercrime, and assessing and countering the evolving cybersecurity risks (Shaw, 2005). Also, DHS supports preparedness and resilience. The responsibility is shared across state, local, territorial, local governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the American people. DHS enforces thorough preparation of the local communities for rapid response during crises and recovery support. It does this by building a national culture of preparedness, rapidly responding to incidents, supporting outcome-driven community recovery, and training and exercising as first responders (DHS, 2019b).

            Another role of DHS under the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to preserve and uphold the nation’s prosperity and economic security. Economic security affects the national transportation system, international trade, financial systems, and maritime activities and resources. DHS explores new opportunities that enhance the security of critical operations that lead to economic security. It focuses on enforcing U.S. trade laws and facilitating lawful international trade and travel, safeguarding transportation, maintaining waterways and maritime resources, and safeguarding financial systems. Also, it champions the DHS workforce and strengthens the department by implementing integrated relationships among Operational Components and Headquarters Offices (DHS, 2019a). The DHS seeks to advance risk-based decision-making, advocate its workforce, and promote transparency and accountability, enabling it to optimize support to mission operations.              

Homeland Defense

            Under Secretary of Defense for Policy defines Homeland Defense as “The protection of U.S. sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure against external threats and aggression, or other threats as directed by the President. The Department of Defense is responsible for homeland defense” (DOD, 2020). External threats and aggressions are actions or incidents that originate from outside the nation’s borders. Such threats may be planned and executed by external factors or take place inside the homeland’s boundaries. DOD is responsible for the missions of HLD and executes response to incidences and threats with the support of United States Government agencies and departments, and international partners. Homeland defense is managed across layered approaches consisting of the forward region, techniques, and the homeland (DOD, 2020).

            Homeland defense aims at protecting the airspace and coastline. It does this by using military ships and aircrafts under the direction of DOD. HLD calls for assistance from DOD at the disposal of their resources. Homeland defense is necessary for developing a biological or chemical event incident response to coordinate with DOD tactics, logistics, and techniques in defending the homeland. NORTHCOM is responsible for situation awareness across the continental borders of the United States (IFAS, 2004). Maritime Domain Awareness is a Coast Guard initiative developed to focus on security assurance of commercial cargo and vessels. The current maritime databases are used to implement awareness initiatives using systems owned by DOD. The naval component of NORTHCOM assists in tracking and surveillance of surface ships that are uncooperative (Kelly, 2004). Coast guards also help in surveillance and sub-surface tracking of the mines to enforce clearance.

            HLD provides broad-based and in-depth defense against external threats under the President’s directive. The USG seeks to shape the international environment by applying military, diplomatic, economic, and informational instruments to national power. Due to the persistence of asymmetric threats, HLD must develop a comprehensive, proactive, and disciplined approach to counter the effects of the attackers (Shaw, 2005). Also, the military operations implemented in the homeland must understand laws, policies, and procedures due to the overlapping roles and legal authorities on the use of military forces. Additionally, the homeland faces various interrelated and disparate threats that require explicit coordination and synchronization of efforts and procedures among the agencies and organizations responsible for homeland defense (IFAS, 2004). Due to the complex and enduring nature of transnational threats, HLD strives to devise mechanisms that protect the U.S. boundaries from attacks targeting national security.

            Attackers use weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and means of delivering them, which have a significant influence on achieving greater strategic influence against the U.S. interests. The adversaries use WMD to conduct attacks on U.S. infrastructure, citizens, and other critical interests to exploit U.S. power sustainment, projection, and force protection vulnerabilities. The increased access to materials, technology, and expertise enhances the risks of threats that proliferate, and the use of WMD to achieve attack goals (Shaw, 2005). HLD must provide adequate surveillance and monitoring of the national boundaries to prevent the attackers from executing their missions.

Intersection between HLS and HLD

            HLS’s strategic objectives allow the subordinate officials of the government and are implemented into the objectives of every organization. Additionally, homeland security strategies aim to achieve flexibility in all levels of government in ensuring national security. DOD supports Homeland Security by providing military defense to the domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure, United States territory, and assets from external aggression and threats. Also, DOD defines another role as support to Unites States civil authorities for designated law enforcement and domestic emergencies (Shaw, 2005). Therefore, homeland defense is a subset of homeland security through the support of DOD.

            Both HLS and HLD forces face significantly complex security environments characterized by increasing disorder and contested norms. State and non-state attackers aim to challenge the existing international order by establishing norms and rules against national interests. The bodies seek to counter the terrorists’ effects by ensuring they do not gain direct access to the critical infrastructure, which would threaten national security (Kelly, 2004). The bodies were developed due to the increasing insecurity through the employment of comprehensive tactics and the adversaries’ ability to execute threats without direct contact. The main point of intersection between the bodies is enhancing political-military balance and protection of the U.S economy and global trade.

            The most conspicuous difference between HLS and HLD is that HLS protects the nation against external threats while HLS protects the homeland against internal threats. Over the years, people have questioned why homeland security and homeland defense are not combined and call the entire project “national security.” If the two were combined, the homeland security definition would look like this; “Homeland security is an element of national security that works with the other instruments of national power to protect the sovereignty, territory, domestic population, and critical infrastructure of the United States against threats and aggression” (Kelly, 2004).

Recommendations

            The familiarity of the normalcy of terrorism necessitates enhancing domestic vigilance and alert levels through HLD and HLS. The government must provide a clear definition of the agencies’ roles in ensuring the security of the homeland. The perceived responsibilities should match the strategic goals and work according to the anticipated interests of the U.S. The joint exercise and training on protection and response to incidents should be implemented to ensure that military forces understand their roles in homeland security and develop complementary relationships with other organizations to achieve the goals according to the expectations.

Outline

The following items are covered in the paper;

Topic: Homeland Security and Homeland Defense

Introduction

• The maritime borders of the United States are subject to attacks.
• Maintaining a reasonable level of protection requires approaches that ensure that homeland security is not prone to attacks by external adversaries that may steal information.
• Achieving homeland security is limited by the freedom of navigation, free flow of international trade, and unlimited use of natural flow
• HLS and HLD are the two concepts in national security having different practical applications.

Homeland Security

• DHS’s primary mission is to secure the nation from the many threats it is facing.
• Committed to counter terrorism and homeland security threats.
• Seeks to secure U.S. borders and approaches to ensure national sovereignty.
• DHS secures cyberspace and critical infrastructure to counter the expanding attack space caused by the increased connectivity of people and devices.
• Supports preparedness and resilience.
• Preserve and uphold the nation’s prosperity and economic security
• Champions the DHS workforce and strengthens the department to optimize support to mission operations.        

Homeland Defense

• The Department of Defense is responsible for homeland defense
• Homeland defense aims at protecting the airspace and coastline.
• Homeland defense is necessary for developing a biological or chemical event incident response to coordinate with DOD tactics, logistics, and techniques in defending the homeland.
• NORTHCOM is responsible for situation awareness across the continental borders of the United States
• Maritime Domain Awareness is a Coast Guard initiative developed to focus on security assurance of commercial cargo and vessels.
• HLD provides broad-based and in-depth defense against external threats under the President’s directive.
•  The homeland faces various interrelated and disparate threats that require explicit coordination and synchronization of efforts and procedures among the agencies and organizations responsible for homeland defense
• HLD strives to devise mechanisms that protect the U.S. boundaries from attacks targeting national security.
•  HLD must provide adequate surveillance and monitoring of the national boundaries to prevent the attackers from executing their missions.

Intersection between HLS and HLD

• HLS’s strategic objectives allow the subordinate officials of the government and are implemented into the objectives of every organization.
• DOD supports Homeland Security by providing military defense to the domestic population, and critical defense infrastructure, United States territory, and assets from external aggression and threats.
• Homeland defense is a subset of homeland security through the support of DOD.
• Both HLS and HLD forces face significantly complex security environments characterized by increasing disorder and contested norms.
• The bodies seek to counter the terrorists’ effects
• The bodies were developed due to the increasing insecurity through the employment of comprehensive tactics and the adversaries’ ability to execute threats without direct contact.
• The main point of intersection between the bodies is enhancing political-military balance and protection of the U.S economy and global trade.
• The most conspicuous difference between HLS and HLD is that HLS protects the nation against external threats while HLS protects the homeland against internal threats.

Recommendations

• The familiarity of the normalcy of terrorism necessitates enhancing domestic vigilance and alert levels through HLD and HLS.
• The government must provide a clear definition of the agencies’ roles in ensuring the security of the homeland.
• The perceived responsibilities should match the strategic goals and work according to the anticipated interests of the U.S.