An authoritative guide to the history, mission, and evolution of the national homeland security enterprise, including federal, state, local, and private sector efforts. Whether you’re a first responder, corporate executive, government official, or concerned citizen, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of U.S. homeland security and your own role in preparing for and responding to terrorism and disasters.

Introduciton : Homeland security : a concern and a role for everyone -- pt. 1 : How we got here from there : the emergence of contemporary homeland security. Homeland security : the American tradition -- The road to 9/11 : contemporary terrorism and the meaning of the September 11 attacks -- The birth of contemporary homeland security : the national response to 9/11 and its aftermath -- pt. 2 : Homeland security : principles, participants, strategies, and tools. Homeland security roles, responsibilities, and jurisidictions : international, federal, state, and local government and private sector responsibilities -- Thinking homeland security : theory, strategy, decision-making, planning, and analysis tools -- Intelligence for homeland security : process, methods, structure, and resources -- Domestic counterterrorism : investigating, preventing, and responding to terrorist plots -- Homeland defense and support to civil authorities : military support for homeland security -- Incident management and emergency management : responding to human-made and natural disasters -- pt. 3 : Understanding threats : from terrorism to natural disasters. The mind of the terrorist : why they hate -- The transnational dimensions of terrorism : from state sponsors to Islamist extremists -- Domestic terrorist groups and radicalization : the threat next door -- Terrorist operations and tactics : how attacks are planned and executed -- Weapons of mass destruction : understanding real threats and getting beyond hype -- Understanding disasters and mass emergencies : from earthquakes to pandemics and beyond -- pt. 4 : Homeland security in action : programs and activities. Critical infrastructure protection and key assets : protecting America's most important targets -- Business preparedness, continuity, and recovery : private sector response -- Public awareness and personal, family, and community preparedness : challenges and solutions -- The nation responds : volunteer, faith-based, business, and nongovernmental assets -- Domain security : border, maritime, and aviation security -- Cybersecurity : protecting cyberspace and digital technology -- Appendix A : Significant foiled U.S. terror plots from 9/11 to 2011 -- Appendix B : Profiles of significant Islamist extremists and international terrorist groups and state sponsors.