Department of Homeland Security
Executive Summary
Abstract: The Department of Homeland Security was formed in 2003 to prepare and defend
the United States from threats to the safety and security of the country. This document will
provide an overview of the history leading to its formation, the design of its components,
and the mission it was charged to complete.
Background: The terrorist attacks of 9/11 decimated the perceived safety of the citizenry of
the United States. The 9/11 commission report detailed failures of the intelligence, law
enforcement, and first response efforts. The Department of Homeland Security was formed
to consolidate the efforts of specific federal agencies to be better prepared to disrupt,
defend, and recover from major national catastrophes.
These changes to the organization of the Executive Branch were not made without a massive
effort and considerable difficulty. The formation and subsequent reorganizations have
brought considerable scrutiny on the department and its components.
Discussion: The mission of the Department of Homeland Security is a commitment to
relentless resilience, striving to prevent future attacks against the United States and out
allies, responding decisively to natural and man-made disasters, and advancing American
prosperity and economic security long into the future.
The formation of an entirely new cabinet level agency within the Executive branch resulted
in massive changes to other agencies within the government. The seven agencies that
comprise the Department were extracted from the Departments of Defense, Interior,
Defense, Treasury, and others. Outcry about the reorganization was vast and expected, as
funds were diverted from existing agencies to pay for the new organization.
New agencies were formed by merging existing organizations which resulted in new,
sweeping authorities and streamlined reporting. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
was formed by the merger of Immigration and Naturalization Service and the investigative
arm of the Customs Service. Enforcement and inspections of those respective agencies were
reformed under Customs and Border Protection. United States Citizen and Immigration
Service was extracted from the administrative portions of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
The Coast Guard was extracted from the Department of Defense to provide resources for
both response and recovery operations. The Secret Service was removed from the
Department of Treasury in order to provide consistency in efforts to defend our critical
components and infrastructure.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was a consolidation of federal recovery assets
that were poised to provide resiliency efforts. The first major test of their organization
occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The results were abysmal and a major
reorganization was ordered.
The major failure to prevent the at ...
Department of Homeland Security Executive Summary Ab
1. Department of Homeland Security
Executive Summary
Abstract: The Department of Homeland Security was formed in
2003 to prepare and defend
the United States from threats to the safety and security of the
country. This document will
provide an overview of the history leading to its formation, the
design of its components,
and the mission it was charged to complete.
Background: The terrorist attacks of 9/11 decimated the
perceived safety of the citizenry of
the United States. The 9/11 commission report detailed failures
of the intelligence, law
enforcement, and first response efforts. The Department of
Homeland Security was formed
to consolidate the efforts of specific federal agencies to be
better prepared to disrupt,
defend, and recover from major national catastrophes.
These changes to the organization of the Executive Branch were
2. not made without a massive
effort and considerable difficulty. The formation and
subsequent reorganizations have
brought considerable scrutiny on the department and its
components.
Discussion: The mission of the Department of Homeland
Security is a commitment to
relentless resilience, striving to prevent future attacks against
the United States and out
allies, responding decisively to natural and man-made disasters,
and advancing American
prosperity and economic security long into the future.
The formation of an entirely new cabinet level agency within
the Executive branch resulted
in massive changes to other agencies within the government.
The seven agencies that
comprise the Department were extracted from the Departments
of Defense, Interior,
Defense, Treasury, and others. Outcry about the reorganization
was vast and expected, as
funds were diverted from existing agencies to pay for the new
organization.
New agencies were formed by merging existing organizations
3. which resulted in new,
sweeping authorities and streamlined reporting. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement
was formed by the merger of Immigration and Naturalization
Service and the investigative
arm of the Customs Service. Enforcement and inspections of
those respective agencies were
reformed under Customs and Border Protection. United States
Citizen and Immigration
Service was extracted from the administrative portions of the
Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
The Coast Guard was extracted from the Department of Defense
to provide resources for
both response and recovery operations. The Secret Service was
removed from the
Department of Treasury in order to provide consistency in
efforts to defend our critical
components and infrastructure.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was a
consolidation of federal recovery assets
that were poised to provide resiliency efforts. The first major
test of their organization
4. occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The results were
abysmal and a major
reorganization was ordered.
The major failure to prevent the attacks of 9/11 was blamed
largely on the inability of the
intelligence community to share information. Within the
Department of Homeland Security,
the intelligence gathering, processing, and reporting was
streamlined to share information.
This new platform of collaboration was not only within the
department but also outside it.
New task forces were formed, including efforts to partner with
vetted agencies outside the
borders of the United States.
Recommendation: The mission of the Department of Homeland
Security is one that requires
rapid change and adaptability. The separate components of the
agency must remain vigilant
and flexible to combat the ever changing threats to the United
States. As additional threats
emerge, the Department of Homeland Security must develop
new capabilities to combat
