Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Introduction
DHS was established in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S. The department consists of several agencies that help in the response to security threats and attacks. The head of the department is the secretary, and the organization has an approximate $50 billion annual budget to fund its operations and activities. Partnerships with other state agencies help to enhance security in the region. Despite the operations, the department continues to receive criticism due to its complex size.
Formation of DHS
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a need arose to coordinate and enhance an adequately structured crime response unit in the U.S. The DHS was formed to improve communication between the various existing security agencies and components to strengthen security through facilitated information transfer. Department functions include improving transportation and border security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and responding to disasters. Through collaboration with other federal security agencies, DHS was formed to enhance security within and at the borders of the U.S. The department collaborates with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Coast Guard. With the formation of DHS, the efficiency of response to emergencies and attacks was increased.
The Need for DHS
Before DHS, the responsibility to protect the country was spread between several agencies, making it harder to coordinate and share information effectively. The department brought 22 different agencies together, facilitating easier coordination and sharing of communication between the agencies. Also, through DHS, the government has efficiently and effectively identified and prevented any potential threats, thus effectively responding to any potential danger. Therefore, DHS was established to ensure adequate preparation to respond and recover from emergencies and natural disasters.
DHS Core Functions
The DHS is mandated to protect the country through border monitoring to prevent external attacks in the U.S. The department offers security and protection to critical government infrastructure and buildings against any terrorist attack. DHS is also in charge of coordinating disaster management, and response is one of the crucial reasons for establishing DHS. Through access to direct government funding, DHS offers and provides grants to the different agencies to support efforts to ensure total security protection of the U.S. The department also monitors and approves any immigrants and controls the immigration laws at the U.S. border.
The 9/11 Attack
9/11 emphasized the need to develop a more centralized security agency to coordinate and enhance local government efforts to counter domestic terrorism in the region. The attack revealed gaps in the nation’s intelligence and security systems, bringing the need for a better communication and information-sharing system among the various security agencies. To improve cohesion and coordination approaches in the Homeland Security Department, DHS was established. Early detection and response to terrorist attacks and border security have become the priorities for DHS.
Response to Attacks and Disasters
With increasing internal and external attacks, there was a need for the formation of DHS to help detect and prevent these attacks. DHS was responsible for sharing this information. It is responsible for providing funds and resources to the various security agencies to promote their security efforts and prevent and detect attacks. The DHS is mandated to protect critical infrastructure in the U.S. from attacks, including communication networks, transportation systems, and government buildings.
Effect of Homeland Security Status
Initially, Homeland Security had a significantly lower potential to respond to attacks due to insufficient coordination and sharing of information. As a result, a more central body to coordinate all these functions was necessary, resulting in the development of the DHS. Through DHS, Homeland Security was able to improve disaster response and information sharing between the various agencies. Since information sharing and communication between the different agencies could have been more effective, DHS was established to facilitate more accessible communication for faster response to disasters.
Cold War Model
The Cold War model emerged as a concept during post-World War II and described the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The U.S. and the Soviet Union were engaged in what would be described as competition for global influence. There was a division of the world into seemingly two opposing spheres in the fight for power. International organizations such as the United Nations and NATO were formed through the model to promote peace. During the early 1990s, the emergence of the multipolar world and the collapse of the Soviet Union saw the end of the model.
Delayed Shift
The Cold War model was heavily focused on nuclear threats from the Soviet Union, making it vulnerable to other attacks. The federal government took too long to shift its focus from the threat of nuclear attack to other potential threats facing homeland security. As a result of the delayed shift, the traditional military defense measures were ineffective against non-actors, resulting in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Critics conclude that it took the 9/11 attacks to wake the U.S. up to the reality of new security threats facing the country.
Benefits of the Shift from the Cold War Model
There was high spending on firearms and military supplies during the Cold War model. With the shift, spending on military supplies and firearms production was cut short. The Cold War model reduced investments, especially in the Western bloc. The end of the war model increased people’s interest in assets and trade with other nations. International relations between the opposing countries were improved with the end of this model, neutralizing the threat of nuclear attacks.
Effectiveness of the DHS and I.C. Structure
Since the establishment of DHS, significant changes have been made to the structure with the main aim of improving department efficiency. Initially, the agency had a hierarchical structure with a transparent chain of command: the DNI is the head of the I.C. Together with the NCTC, there have been improvements in the coordination and sharing of information between agencies. The other critical agencies within the DHS are the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Coast Guard, and the TSA. Due to its complex structure, the system’s efficiency has been criticized, citing overlapping responsibilities within the organization.
Structure and Divisions of the DHS
The head of the department is the secretary’s office, in charge of coordinating and managing the departmental activities. Each component of the DHS has a different function: the USCG is responsible for protecting the maritime economy and the environment. USCIS oversees lawful immigration to the U.S. CBP is responsible for keeping any terrorists, including their weapons, outside the U.S. CISA directs national efforts to gain understanding to reduce cyber and physical infrastructure risks.
Intelligence Community Structure
The 17 agencies work together to provide insightful information obtained through the analysis of gathered data to promote the DHS’s security protection activities. With the DNI as the head of the I.C., the primary role is to coordinate and oversee that all activities within the agencies are conducted appropriately. The main functions of the I.C. are prevention against any possible security threat, preventing intelligence from other foreign intelligence services, and protecting against cyber attacks.
Functions of the Intelligence Community
The intelligence community has to gather and analyze intelligence regarding any potential security threats against the U.S. The I.C. is mandated to counter any data collection by foreign intelligence services against the U.S. It can detect and identify any data phishing by foreign agencies or technology and take the necessary action to protect essential and classified government information and data. The I.C. supports the military with resources to help in the planning and execution of essential military operations. It provides intelligence and security protection to the president and national government officials.
Challenges of the DHS and I.C. Structure
Due to its large capacity and vast employee base, it is difficult to integrate and coordinate functions and activities effectively. DHS consists of many agencies, lowering the effectiveness of information sharing between the agencies. DHS is subject to political criticism due to its activities and involvement with other international agencies. DHS experiences challenges in ensuring the proper management of resources and personnel within the various agencies under DHS.
Future Recommendations for DHS and I.C.
The modernization of technology and other data systems is essential within the DHS for better and early detection of security threats.
Through increased collaboration with other agencies, DHS will collect intelligence information easily. A review of the DHS structure will be essential to maximize organizational security and protection. Agencies within the structure should become more transparent and assume accountability for their actions for increased efficiency within the agency. Any crucial information should be shared with all departments for quick action and response.
Adequacy of Agencies
Some people attribute the management challenges in DHS to the presence of too many agencies within the department, calling for their exclusion. FBI is mandated with the investigation and prevention of federal crimes. Experts urge for the inclusion of the agency within DHS. Including NASA within the DHS will improve the department’s ability to protect the region from space-based security threats. The primary focus of the DHS is on border security and immigration enforcement.
Effect of a Lack of Critical Agencies
DHS only places a significant emphasis on border security. With other agencies, such as FEMA, given less consideration, the ability to respond to a disaster is reduced. Equal emphasis should also be placed on cyber security, space-based threats, protection of crucial government infrastructure, and federal security monitoring through these key agencies within DHS. Experts argue that critical agencies such as NASA should be incorporated within the department to improve the ability to respond to and prevent space-based threats.
Conclusion
Even after the end of post-World War II, the Cold War model was still in place until the September 9, 2001, terrorist attacks. The delayed shift from the Cold War model that only focused on the nuclear attack threat might have been the primary cause of the terrorist attack. DHS has been critical in ensuring security in the U.S. by detecting and preventing terrorist attacks. Some key agencies need to be included within the department, such as the FBI and NASA, that will be crucial in promoting security protection in the U.S.
References
Black, M., & Obradovic, L. (2022). Strengthening DHS intelligence analysis education: Core competencies, gaps, and challenges. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, 1-18.
Bush, G. W. (2021). 9/11 Address to the nation. In E. Mofield & T. Stambaugh (Eds.), Finding Freedom (pp. 145-155). Routledge.
Crawford, N. C. (2019). Pentagon fuel use, climate change, and the costs of war. Watson Institute.
Kenney, K. L. (2019). The Department of Homeland Security: A look behind the scenes. Compass Point Books.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.