The need to handle possible future attacks in the United States
The need to handle possible future attacks in the United States has grown as cases of criminal activity in different parts of the world have increased. In essence, the bulk of the world's nations have suffered from extremism as a result of a lack of effective risk control policies. Risk management, according to Schanzer et al. (2008), is an essential practice that can assist in the reduction of the effects that a person faces as a result of the incidence of a specific uncertainty. It is also important to note that effective risk management strategies can help reduce or eliminate the potential risks from occurring, hence, resulting in various benefits like conserving the funds and grants that would otherwise be used in case disaster strikes. The homeland security uses a myriad of risk management strategies to enhance the safety of the USA as discussed in the subsequent sections.
Risk Avoidance
Risk avoidance is one of the strategies, which the homeland security uses in ensuring the safety of Americans. According to Bullock et al. (2012), risk avoidance entails the refusal to engage in an activity that is likely to cause a threat to the progress of an institution or an individual. Notably, the Department of Homeland Security conducts strategic planning where the agency identifies the activities that adversely affect the progress of the US and the business practices taking place in the nation. Besides, strategic planning aids the DHS in identifying the appropriate ways of organizing activities occurring in the USA towards reducing the possibilities of attacks or interferences from the unpredictable occurrences (DHS, 2010).
An examination of the risk management programs in the USA
An examination of the risk management programs in the USA also indicates that the DHS avoids risks through capabilities-based planning (Bullock et al., 2012). The risk management strategy mentioned above entails the analysis of the potentials of an institution or an organization to efficiently execute a particular program (Bullock et al., 2012). For instance, the homeland security officials survey the facilities in the USA to ascertain that organizations have adequate preparations before engaging in an activity. The capability-based planning strategies have aided in the reduction of the vulnerability of institutions from attacks or disasters due to specific weapons. In reality, the homeland security has efficiently used the risk avoidance strategies to enhance the safety of the USA.
Risk Mitigation
Risk mitigation strategies also play a critical role in reducing the impacts of threats from the terrorist activities through various programs. Schanzer et al. (2008) opine that risk reduction entails the utilization of effective programs to lessen the incidence of a particular disaster. One of the risk mitigation programs that the DHS has adopted is the mitigation of hazards by offering companies grants to initiate programs that aim at reducing the magnitude of the losses resulting from the occurrence of attacks or disasters (DHS, 2010). Other than the grants, the DHS provides resources to communities and companies as a way of ensuring quick recovery from tragedies. Therefore, in the occurrence of a disaster, economic and social activities in the US do not halt.
According to DHS (2010)
According to DHS (2010), the Department of Homeland Security also mitigates risks by ensuring an effective emergency response. For instance, the homeland security has a myriad of well-trained personnel and adequate resources. Such personnel are trained to provide a quick response in managing the cases of emergencies to reduce the losses which occur in the event of an attack by terrorists. The resource allocation for timely response to the emergencies is an important strategy – there is a smooth flow of activities, therefore, enhancing the safety of businesses in various parts of the USA. Moreover, Bullock et al. (2012) argue that effective response to an emergency contributes significantly to reducing the prevalence of terrorism by instilling fear on the terrorists.
Securing and Managing the American Borders
Specifically, homeland security ensures legitimate trade and travels to make sure that people do not engage in malicious activities (DHS, 2010). Notably, the disruption of the transnational criminal organizations plays a crucial role in keeping the US safe from consistent attacks by terrorists. The efficient management of American borders results from the analysis of the real world events. Such events aid in the identification of activities which are prone to cause disruptions in the progress of a nation.
Also, the Department of Homeland Security focuses on the safety of the country’s air, sea, and land borders
Also, the Department of Homeland Security focuses on the safety of the country’s air, sea, and land borders in order to control terrorism (Bullock et al., 2012). Security personnel have determined that terrorists come from various parts of the world and employ different strategies to access a particular nation to commit atrocities. Consequently, the control of land and sea borders plays a critical role in ensuring that people who harbor evil motives towards the Americans do not gain access to the country. In particular, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts exercise planning to help in the identification of hazardous personalities and minimize personal threats.
Safeguarding and Securing the Cyberspace
In essence, terrorists use various avenues such as the internet to spread malicious information to achieve their criminal goals (DHS, 2010). However, through the enhanced cyberspace security, the Homeland Security has managed to curb the threats which can utterly impede the economic and social welfare of the Americans. The Department of Homeland Security enhances the cyberspace security by financing research and development projects. In return, the USA can improve its levels of technological innovation and, therefore, incapacitate terrorists from using the internet to threaten the world (National Research Council, 2010).
Furthermore, the creation of a safe and secure cyber environment
Furthermore, the creation of a safe and secure cyber environment has aided in the reduction of the risks arising from terrorist activities. According to National Research Council (2010), the DHS engages in the extensive scrutiny of the cyberspace environment to eliminate the situations considered harmful or dangerous and which can pose much threat to the welfare of the citizens. Besides, DHS indulges in operational planning to identify the negative consequences and the methods for alleviating the impacts of terrorism and other disasters in the nation. Indeed, the control of cyberspace environment is an important strategy towards the mitigation of risks resulting from terrorism.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Department of Homeland Security applies various risk management strategies to ensure the safety of Americans. The rise in the need for securing the US has resulted from prevalent terrorism that has led to numerous deaths and destruction of property. As discussed in this essay, the DHS has adopted various risk management strategies including securing the cyberspace and enhancing people’s resilience against disasters. The risk management applications such as resource allocation, operational planning, and analysis of the real world events have also brought positive impacts to the safety of the USA. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security has secured the American frontiers to reduce the infiltration of terrorists.
References
Bullock, J. A., Haddow, G. D., & Coppola, D. P. (2012). Introduction to homeland security: Principles of all-hazards risk management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
National Research Council (U.S.). (2010). Review of the Department of Homeland Security's approach to risk analysis. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security-DHS. (2010). Quadrennial homeland security review report: A strategic framework for a secure homeland. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
Schanzer, D. H., Eyerman, J., De Rugy, V., Bryson, J. M., Crosby, B. C., Stone, M. M., & Saunoi-Sandgren, E. O. (2008). Strategic risk management in government: A look at homeland security. IBM Center for the Business of Government. Retrieved from https://www.mercatus.org/system/files/Applying_Strategic_Risk_Management_to_Allocating_Resources_for_Homeland_Security.pdf
