CJ 310- 4-2 Journal- DHS Leadership
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4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
Ariel Penton
Southern New Hampshire University
CJ 310- Intro to Homeland Security/ Counterterrorsim
Professor:
Christopher L. Elg, M.P.A.
September 26, 2023
In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. was
confronted with a harsh reality, its existing system for counterterrorism
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4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
was unprepared to prevent and respond to such attacks effectively. The
9/11 Commission Report emphasized the urgent need for an overhaul of
the agencies responsible for counterterrorism.
The need for reorganization came from several systemic failures that
allowed the 9/11 terrorist attacks to occur. Prior to 9/11, various agencies,
including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, possessed only pieces of intelligence but
lacked an effective system for sharing and integrating this information.
Bureaucratic warehouses, inter-agency rivalries, and an absence of clear
lines of responsibility hindered coordination and cooperation. This lack of
collaboration made it impossible to connect the dots and detect the
imminent threat posed by al-Qaeda.
Additionally, a significant challenge was the absence of a unified
department dedicated to homeland security. Various agencies dealt with
elements of security, but there was no centralized authority responsible
for assessing threats, coordinating responses, and ensuring the security of
the nation's borders. The absence of such an agency allowed potential
vulnerabilities to persist unnoticed.
The secretary of homeland security plays a crucial role in the reorganized
structure. This position was created in the aftermath of 9/11 to provide a
central authority for domestic security and counterterrorism efforts. The
secretary is tasked with coordinating and overseeing various agencies,
including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and
Border Protection (CBP), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
and the Coast Guard, among others. Their responsibilities includes a wide
range of areas, such as immigration enforcement, disaster response,
cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.
The secretary's primary duty is to assess and mitigate threats to the
United States, both foreign and domestic. They must ensure that
intelligence and information are shared across agencies, so as to break
down the barriers that previously hindered effective counterterrorism
efforts.
(
Office of the Secretary | Homeland Security
, n.d.).
The secretary
is also responsible for managing the nation's immigration system, which
plays a critical role in identifying and tracking potential threats.
(
The
Department’s Five Responsibilities | Homeland Security
, 2009).
The leadership of the DHS is absolutely considered a backbone in post-
9/11 counterterrorism efforts. With the secretary at the wheel, the DHS
provides the necessary coordination and consistency that were lacking
before 9/11. By centralizing intelligence and security functions, the DHS
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4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
facilitates the early detection of potential threats, allowing for proactive
action.
Moreover, the DHS's leadership is significant in creating and implementing
policies and strategies to protect the U.S. This includes border security
measures, cybersecurity initiatives, disaster preparedness, and critical
infrastructure protection.
(
DHS Twenty Years After 9/11: Looking Back and
Looking Ahead | Brookings
, 2022).
By having a cooperative leadership
under the DHS, the U.S. government can effectively gather its resources
to address the complex nature of modern terrorism.
In conclusion, the reorganization of agencies responsible for
counterterrorism prior to 9/11 was imperative due to systemic failures and
a lack of coordination. The creation of the Department of Homeland
Security, with the secretary of homeland security at its forefront, it
centralizes leadership and coordination, making it a critical component of
post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts. This reorganization reflects the
recognition that protecting the nation from evolving threats requires a
unified, agile and proactive approach that the DHS provides.
3
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4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
References:
Office of the Secretary | Homeland Security
. (n.d.).
https://www.dhs.gov/office-
secretary#:~:text=The%20Office%20of%20the%20Secretary,resilience%20to
%20disasters%2C%20and%20provide
The department’s five responsibilities | Homeland Security
. (2009, June 8).
https://www.dhs.gov/blog/2009/06/08/department%E2%80%99s-five-responsibilities
DHS twenty years after 9/11: Looking back and looking ahead | Brookings
. (2022, March 9).
Brookings.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/dhs-twenty-years-after-9-11-looking-
back-and-looking-ahead/#:~:text=The%20FBI%20has%20the%20primary,the%20use
%20of%20weapons%20of
GovInfo
. (n.d.).
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GPO-911REPORT
About us
. (2023, July 7). FEMA.gov.
https://www.fema.gov/about
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4-2 Journal: DHS Leadership
Mission | Transportation Security Administration
. (n.d.).
https://www.tsa.gov/about/tsa-
mission
5