Preventing Terrorism and Enhancing Security

Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is the reason the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created, and remains our highest priority. Our vision is a secure and resilient nation that effectively prevents terrorism in ways that preserve our freedom and prosperity.

Understanding Evolving and Emerging Threats

Terrorist tactics continue to evolve, and we must keep pace.  Terrorists seek sophisticated means of attack, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive weapons, and cyber attacks.  Threats may come from abroad or be homegrown.  

We must be vigilant against new types of terrorist recruitment as well, by engaging communities at risk being targeted by terrorist recruiters.

Improving Terrorism Prevention

The Department’s efforts to prevent terrorism are centered on a risk-based layered, approach to security in our passenger and cargo transportation systems and at our borders and ports of entry.  It includes new technologies to:

• Detect explosives and other weapons
• Help protecting critical infrastructure and cyber networks from attack
• Build information-sharing partnerships

We do this work cooperatively with other federal, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement as well as international partners.

See Preventing Terrorism Results