Preventing Terrorism

Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is the reason the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created, and remains our highest priority.

Preventing Terrorism Overview

Protecting the American people from terrorist threats is the reason the Department of Homeland Security was created, and remains our highest priority.
Biological Security

We protect the nation’s health security by providing early detection and early warning of bioterrorist attacks.
Chemical Security

The manufacturing, use, storage, and distribution of chemicals must be secured from threats including terrorism and accidents. Some chemical facilities possess materials that could be stolen and used to make weapons. A successful attack on certain high-risk facilities could cause a significant number of deaths and injuries. The impacts of an accident or attack are far-reaching and can occur in a variety of ways.
Countering Violent Extremism

Violent extremist threats come from a range of groups and individuals, including domestic terrorists and homegrown violent extremists in the United States, as well as international terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL. Lone offenders or small groups may be radicalized to commit violence at home or attempt to travel overseas to become foreign fighters. The use of the Internet and social media to recruit and radicalize individuals to violence means that conventional approaches are unlikely to identify and disrupt all terrorist plots.
Critical Infrastructure Security

Critical infrastructure is the physical and cyber systems and assets so vital to the United States that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on our physical or economic security or public health or safety.
Explosives

DHS works to enhance the nation’s counter-IED capabilities and reduce the threat of explosive attack against critical infrastructure, the private sector, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities.
If You See Something, Say Something

A program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law enforcement authorities.
NTAS

National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) advisories communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, public sector organizations, airports and other transportation hubs.
Nuclear Security

DHS' nuclear detection and forensics missions are key elements of the U.S. government's wide-ranging approach to preventing attacks by terrorists and potential state sponsors.
Secure Driver's Licenses

Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of a holistic national security strategy.
Preventing Terrorism Results

Protecting the United States from terrorism is the founding mission of DHS. While America is stronger and more resilient as a result of a strengthened homeland security enterprise, terrorist threats persist and continue to evolve.