U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (right) chats with the Diplomatic Security assistant special agent in charge of his security detail (left) as he prepares for a helicopter flight to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul after arriving July 10, 2014 in the Afghan capital for meetings with President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan officials. (U.S. State Department photo)

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. DS is a world leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, security technology, and protection of people, property, and information.

The Bureau is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Every diplomatic mission in the world operates under a security program designed and maintained by Diplomatic Security. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigates passport and visa fraud, and conducts personnel security investigations. Operating from a global platform in 31 U.S. cities and more than 160 foreign countries, DS ensures that America can conduct diplomacy safely and securely. DS plays a vital role in protecting 275 U.S. diplomatic missions and their personnel overseas, securing critical information systems, investigating passport and visa fraud, and fighting the war on terror.

Diplomatic Security 2013 Annual Report Learn more about the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the 2013 DS Year In Review.		Significant Attacks Read the 2014 edition of Diplomatic Security's Significant Attacks Against U.S. Diplomatic Facilities and Personnel.
DS History Photos View the "Diplomatic Security Pictorial History," a collection of photos depicting key moments and people in DS's history.		Political Violence Against Americans Read the 2013 edition of Diplomatic Security's Political Violence Against Americans report.