Security Concepts for the Department of Homeland Security

Security Concepts for the Department of Homeland Security

Threats in criminology are the known intentions of harm to people, property or situation. The scope of these intentions in criminology are spread across people or groups of people or situations that are considered a danger to people or situations. In the case of a country, threats could be in form of terrorists, armed or white collar criminals. Threats are usually made known to the target.

Risks are the factors that are a danger to people but it is not known well enough when it is bound to happen. Risks are caused by external factors. They threaten the lives, property or situations. Risks are cannot be predicted as can threats. The general difference between a threat and a risk is the time factors. The scope of both is caused by external factors.

Hazards are dangers posed by a known factor. The scope of a hazard is as far reaching as the party likely to be affected is aware. For instance, when there is bare space filled with land mines, there is a likelihood that the people around the area will be aware. To a stranger, they will not see that as a hazard but will be exposed to the risk of being blown off by a landmine.

The emerging discipline of homeland security on threats is inclusive of the threat assessment procedures to help Homeland security know where the weaknesses of the systems are. Threat assessment is supposed to precede risk management. Risk management is designed from the evaluation of threats which gives the basis for risk management development. There are many ways of handling threats one of which is awareness (Bellevita, 2011). Awareness so far has been applied by Homeland Security in the form of the color code communications. The color code has three colors; yellow, orange and red that signifies the level of threats that the country faces.

The emerging discipline of homeland security is supposed to utilize the concept of risk to prepare for unexpected eventualities. Because risk cannot be anticipated, the department of Homeland Security is supposed to ensure that people are trained on response to disasters (Managing Security Risks). The risk control department under Homeland Security uses the following steps in preparing to neutralize a risk when it occurs. There is strategy creation where policies and solutions are made to help Homeland security control a risk and prevent losses. Development of crisis plans that help tone down the effect of the threats. There is a review and audit of the success of the plans. The risk management systems in homeland security department take part in risk preparation to ensure 

The Department of Homeland Security’s application of the hazard concept is applicable in determining the precautions that can be taken to handle a potential threat when it eventually occurs. The hazards concept is applicable in the event where the department of homeland security has put in place contingency measures.

Homeland security is concerned with the overall safety of the United States. The three concepts are supposed to be taken into consideration when the department of Homeland Security is taking precautions for the safety of the American citizen (Bellavita, 2008)s. Americans have to be assured that their security is in good hands, hence the effort by the department to ensure that all the danger aspects are covered, the risk, and threat and hazard factors. This way the security of the Americans is assured.

References

Bellavita, C. (2008, June). Chnaging Homeland Security: What is Homeland Security? Retrieved from Homeland Security Affairs: www.hsaj.or/articles/118

Bellevita, C. (2011, August 11). The Challenges of Developing a Homeland Security Discipline to Meet Future Threats to the Homeland. Retrieved from Homeland Security Watch: www.hlswatch.com/2011/08/08/the-challenges-of-developina-homeland-security-discipline-to-meet-the-future-threats-to-the-homeland

Managing Security Risks. (n.d.). Retrieved from Control Risks: www.controlrisks.com/en/services/security-risk