The Department of Homeland Security wants to harness the “wisdom of crowds” into amajor strategic review that is due to Congress in December.
DHS is soliciting input of “thoughts, positions or ideas” on key homeland security topics that will be debated by study groups that are currently drafting the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, or QHSR. The document will set the foundation for homeland security activities over the next four years.
“DHS intends to create a true national dialogue on homeland security,” according to QHSR guidance documents provided to associations and trade groups.
The QHSR study areas include:
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Counterterrorism and domestic security management: Transportation security,critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and weapons of mass destruction protection.
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Securing U.S. borders: Facilitating the lawful flow of people and good through ports of entry while securing the borders and approaches to the United States against smuggling and trafficking of people, money, drugs and weapons.
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Smart and tough enforcement of immigration laws: Comprehensive approaches to welcoming legal immigrants and administering the lawful immigration system while protecting against dangerous people entering the country.
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Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters: All elements of an all-hazards emergency management system.
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Maturing and unifying DHS and the homeland security enterprise: DHS strategic management, national risk assessment, planning and capabilities.
DHS asks that three basic questions be considered in these discussions: 1) What are the goals, objectives and indicators of success in these missions areas? 2) How do presidential directives, national strategies and other federal homeland security documents align to, and advance these goals? 3) Is there confusion over roles and responsibilities, either among federal agencies or among stakeholders within these mission areas?
Submissions are due June 26, by email to QHSR@dhs.gov . Though DHS says it cannot respond to each submission received, all the papers will be used to inform the analysis of the study groups, the guidance document says. Further information will be posted on www.dhs.gov/qhsr