Preventing Terrorism

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

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.

Countering Violent Extremism

The threat posed by violent extremism is neither constrained by international borders nor limited to any single ideology.

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

NTAS alerts 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.