Computers and Homeland Security Sharon Wehmeyer

History of Homeland Security: What is the department of Homeland Security? integration of 22 different federal departments and agencies response to September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks became official in 2002 with Homeland Security Act the office is in charge of coordinating “a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard the country against terrorism and other national attacks” Mission: “The vision of homeland security is to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards.”

Five Parts to DHS: prevent terrorism and enhancing security secure and manage borders enforce and administer immigration laws safeguard and secure cyberspace ensure resilience to disasters

Prevent Terrorism and Enhance Security: improved technology with scanning items at customs in airport security increase use of technology checking for security in shipping facial recognition software intertwined with all five parts of DHS

Secure and Manage Borders: unmanned drones satellite images infrared technology combat trafficking online

Enforce and Administer Immigration Laws: better use of technology to track immigrants online paperwork facial recognition software using online tips to track employers who knowingly/repeatedly break the law

Safeguard and Secure Cyberspace: Challenges: criminals can function from anywhere in the world to operate from anywhere in the world tracking from cyberspace to physical location complex cyber networks are difficult to minimize vulnerabilities

How does it relate to you? Pros: provides our country with a single department focused only on national security works with many departments i.e. Immigration and Customs and Secret Service aid for disasters Cons: privacy issues additional government policies

Resources: http://www.dhs.gov/creation-department-homeland-security http://www.dhs.gov/department-homeland-security-seal http://www.dhs.gov/our-mission http://www.dhs.gov/topic/protecting-critical-infrastructure