Homeland security refers to the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards, enabling American interests and ways of life to thrive. It involves preventing terrorist attacks within the United States, reducing the country's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimizing damage from attacks that do occur. Beyond terrorism, homeland security also addresses natural disasters and other man-made hazards, adopting an all-hazards approach to protect the nation
. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks, is the federal executive department primarily responsible for homeland security. Its missions include anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs enforcement, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management. DHS consolidates 22 agencies to coordinate efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats and emergencies within the U.S.
. In summary, homeland security is both a policy domain and a government function aimed at protecting the United States from diverse threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and other hazards, through coordinated efforts led by the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies.
