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

DHS continues to work with both domestic, international, and private sector partners to protect our nation against terrorist threats, while simultaneously facilitating the trade and travel that is essential to our economic security.

Building the Homeland Security Enterprise

Fusion Centers: DHS supports 77 state and major urban area fusion centers through personnel, training, technical assistance, exercise support, security clearances, connectivity to federal systems, technology, and grant funding.

Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative: To date, more than 229,000 frontline law enforcement personnel have received Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) training, an Administration effort to train state and local law enforcement to recognize behaviors potentially related to terrorism; standardize how those observations are documented and analyzed; and enhance the sharing of those reports with law enforcement and communities throughout the country.

Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN): HSIN is a DHS-hosted tool which provides a secure, internet based network for real-time sharing of information between federal agencies and local first responders.

“If You See Something, Say Something®” Campaign: The “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign program raises public awareness of behaviors potentially related to terrorism and terrorism-related crime. The campaign has been launched with a variety of partners, including: the National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball, Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Wal-Mart, Mall of America, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Amtrak, and the general aviation industry, as well as in more than 9,000 federal buildings, venues and stadiums, and fusion centers across the country.

Grant Funding: Since fiscal year 2003, DHS has awarded more than $36 billion in preparedness grant funding based on risk to build and sustain targeted capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of terrorism.

Improving Screening for Passengers

Trusted Traveler Programs: CBP has increased enrollment in its trusted traveler programs from approximately 80,000 members in 2003 to over 1.3 million today, through programs such as NEXUS, SENTRI, and Global Entry.

Pre-Departure Vetting: DHS has strengthened its in-bound targeting operations to identify high-risk travelers who are likely to be inadmissible to the United States and to recommend to commercial carriers that those individuals not be permitted to board a commercial aircraft through its Pre-Departure program. Since 2010, CBP has identified over 5,700 passengers who would likely have been found inadmissible upon arrival to the United States.

Secure Flight: Fulfilling a key 9/11 Commission recommendation, DHS fully implemented the TSA Secure Flight program in 2010, under which DHS conducts passenger watch list matching for 100 percent of covered U.S. aircraft operator and foreign air carrier flights flying to, from, or within the United States to identify individuals who may pose a threat to aviation or national security and designate them for enhanced screening or, as appropriate, prohibit them from boarding an aircraft. Through Secure Flight, TSA now vets over 14 million passengers weekly.

Preventing Terrorist Travel

Passenger name records: PNR data has helped to identify approximately 1,750 suspicious cases every year, and has been vital in multiple terrorism investigations since 9/11.

Immigration Advisory Program: Arrangements in 11 locations enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers posted at foreign airports to use advanced targeting and passenger analysis information to identify high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board U.S.-bound flights

Enhanced Screening for Cargo and Baggage

Enhanced Explosives Screening: Prior to 9/11, limited federal security requirements existed for cargo or baggage screening. Today, TSA screens 100 percent of all checked and carry-on baggage for explosives.

Air Cargo Screening: Fulfilling a requirement of the 9/11 Act, 100 percent of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft that depart U.S. airports is now screened commensurate with screening of passenger checked baggage. Additionally, by the end of 2012, DHS will require screening of 100 percent of all international inbound cargo transported on passenger aircraft.

Maritime Cargo Screening: The Container Security Initiative (CSI), currently operational in 58 foreign seaports in 32 countries, identifies and screens U.S.-bound maritime containers that pose a potential risk.

See Preventing Terrorism Overview