There are two sides to the “coin” of national security-deterrence
and threat reduction. Military strength, through both conventional and nuclear forces, and strategic
alliances are key elements of deterrence. Nonproliferation, counterterrorism, international
engagement, and efforts to defuse the factors that trigger conflict or motivate the
acquisition or use of weapons of mass destruction are central to threat reduction.
The Global Security principal directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory addresses the threat reduction side of national security, providing expertise, analyses, and systems solutions to reduce and mitigate the dangers posed by the spread or use of weapons of mass destruction and by threats to energy and environmental security. The directorate carries out its critical threat reduction mission through programs
in nonproliferation, homeland security, advanced defense capabilities, intelligence analysis,
and energy and environmental security.
The Global Security principal directorate draws on a broad range of scientific
and technical capabilities for this work, including chemical, biological and radiological
detection, micro and nanotechnology, knowledge discovery, forensic science, seismology, atmospheric science, systems analysis, simulation and modeling, threat assessment, and emergency response operations. We exploit the synergy of Laboratory’s multi-disciplinary science and technology to partner with customers, universities,
other research institutions and industry to understand end-user requirements, tap the talent of
the broader scientific community, and transition new capabilities to operational use.
We strive to secure peace in the twenty-first century by anticipating, innovating
and delivering responsive solutions for our nation’s global security challenges.