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Current National Threat Level is elevated

The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.

Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Activities & Programs

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Activities and programs listed below include links from this web site and from Department of Homeland Security component agency websites.

Comprehensive Reviews. The Office of Infrastructure Protection works closely with federal, state and local homeland security authorities, as well as the private-sector owners and operators, to identify security enhancements and protective measures:

  • Nuclear Sector - view current status, process, results, and team structure
  • Chemical Sector - view current status, process, results, and team structure

E-Verify An online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA) where employers can check the work status of new hires online by comparing information from an employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases.

REAL ID. Establishes minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards in accordance with the REAL ID Act of 2005.

ESTA. Internet-based Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to screen Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicants prior to traveling to the United States.

IT Security Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK). This umbrella document, a competency and functional framework for IT security workforce development, links competencies and functional perspectives to IT security roles.

Secure Flight Program (TSA). Secure Flight is designed to conduct uniform prescreening of passenger information against federal government watch lists for domestic and international flights.

Chemical Security. The Department is responsible for regulating chemical facilities that present high levels of security risk.

National Infrastructure Protection Plan. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides a coordinated approach to critical infrastructure and key resource protection roles and responsibilities for federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector security partners.

Secure Freight Initiative. As part of the Department's layered approach to port and container security, the initial phase of Secure Freight Initiative will deploy of a combination of existing technology and proven nuclear detection devices to six foreign port beginning in early 2007.

Container Security Initiative (CSI). The Container Security Initiative allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), working with host government Customs Services, to examine high-risk maritime containerized cargo at foreign seaports, before they are loaded on board vessels destined for the United States.

Cyber Storm Exercise series. Government-led, full-scale cyber security exercise series addresses the increasingly sophisticated cyber security threats facing both the public and private sectors. This congressionally mandated exercise examines the processes, procedures, tools and organizational response to a multi-sector coordinated attack through, and on, the global cyber infrastructure.

Cyber Security Awareness Month. Cyber Security Preparedness is a responsibility of everyone that uses the Internet. To remind us of this important issue, October has been designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Cyber Security: Make it a Habit. Ideas and resources for staying safe while online including protecting your computer from viruses and malware.

2008 Chemical Sector Security Summit. The second annual summit will cover chemical security standards, maritime security transportation regulations, and security assessments.

Small Vessel Security. Small vessels have four general categories of security risks; the Department holds regular national and regional small vessel security summits.

National Strategy for Pandemic Flu. This strategy outlines the coordinated federal government efforts to prevent and prepare for avian and pandemic flu.

Securing Our Nation's Rail Systems. Efforts include managing risk and strengthening rail and transit systems by providing funding, training, technologies, and security assessments to stakeholders.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 13, Maritime Security Policy. NSPD-41/HSPD-13 establishes policy guidelines to enhance national and homeland security by protecting U.S. maritime interests.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive16, Aviation Strategy. NSPD-47/HSPD-16 details a strategic vision for aviation security while recognizing ongoing efforts, and directs the production of a National Strategy for Aviation Security and supporting plans.

Insider Threat Study (Secret Service). A collaborative effort designed to develop information to help private industry, government, and law enforcement better understand, detect and ultimately prevent harmful insider activity.

National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace. This strategy is part of our overall effort to protect the Nation by engaging and empowering Americans to secure the portions of cyberspace that they own, operate, control, or with which they interact.

School Preparedness. A list of grant funding, planning and training, organizations, and other resources to help prepare schools at all levels for incidents.

TRIPwire. The Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) is a secure, online information-sharing network for law enforcement, bomb squads, and other first responders to learn about current terrorist bombing tactics, techniques, and procedures, including improvised explosive device (IED) design and emplacement.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). WHTI requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or depart the United States from within the Western Hemisphere.

This page was last reviewed/modified on August 20, 2008.