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Basic Principles of Homeland Security
Title: Basic Principles of Homeland Security
Author: Brian Michael Jenkins
Date: January 30, 2007
Institution: RAND
Bibliographic Entry: “Basic Principles of Homeland Security.” Testimony of Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior Advisor to the President of the RAND Corporation, Before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, January 30, 2007. Washington, DC: January 30, 4007. Accessed at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/2007/RAND_CT270.pdf
Electronic Link: http://www.rand.org/pubs/testimonies/2007/RAND_CT270.pdf
Key Words: homeland security, terrorism, testimony, principles
Summary of Key Issues, Points, Conclusions:
Brian Michael Jenkins, senior advisor to the president of the RAND Corporation, asserts that homeland security is a dynamic field (and an enduring task) due to the dynamic nature of the threat. Thus we must formulate a sustainable strategy and security regime that is both consistent with our values and does not impede our economy. He asserts that, while there are “no recipes,” there are basic principles:
1. We must protect and adhere to our basic values: liberty, justice, self-reliance.
2. Security must be defined broadly to include all threats, opportunities, and realities.
3. Intelligence is essential to all efforts and must be improved at all levels.
4. A legal framework needs to incorporate both traditional reactive investigation and preventative action.
5. The nature of terrorism (they can attack anything, anywhere, any time) and the nature of security (we cannot protect everything, everywhere, all the time) is driving US strategy toward being disaster-driven.
6. Security and liberty are not exchangeable and can be compatible; however it requires education and understanding of living with risk.
7. Investing in our crisis-management capabilities and aging infrastructure will not be wasted even if no terrorist attack occurs because of other threats such as natural disasters.
8. While security must be both effective and efficient, it will also remain manpower-intensive. Technology will augment what people can do - there will be no “hands-free” security solutions.
Name of Researcher: Katie Stout
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security
Date: September 18, 2007