Download:
pdf |
pdfTHE DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Fiscal Years 2020-2024
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
Colleagues:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s highest priority is to protect the American people
from threats to their security. The DHS Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2020-2024 establishes
a clear strategic vision that achieves and advances our Department’s essential mission by placing
American safety and security first.
The Nation faces a complex threat landscape with enemies and adversaries who are constantly
evolving. Accordingly, the Department will build on the considerable progress since its formation
and lead homeland security initiatives across this Nation and the globe that meet the threats of
today and the future. The Department’s dedicated operators and personnel will safeguard against
threats both foreign and domestic, respond to national emergencies and contingencies, and
preserve the Nation’s prosperity and economic security.
Pursuant to the Government Performance and Results (GPRA) Act of 1993, as amended by the
GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, I am pleased to present this DHS Strategic Plan for FY 20202024.
Sincerely,
Kevin K. McAleenan
Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
I
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS
RELENTLESS RESILIENCE ..............................................................................................................................1
AGENCY AND DOCTRINE .................................................................................................................................2
SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN ....................................................................................... 2
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT ........................................................................................................................ 2
MISSION STATEMENT AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES ..................................................................................... 3
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................ 4
GOAL AND OBJECTIVE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 7
GOAL 1: COUNTER TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY THREATS ..............................8
OBJECTIVE 1.1: COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND SHARE ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE .................................... 9
OBJECTIVE 1.2: DETECT AND DISRUPT THREATS ................................................................................... 11
OBJECTIVE 1.3: PROTECT DESIGNATED LEADERSHIP, EVENTS, AND SOFT TARGETS............................ 13
OBJECTIVE 1.4: COUNTER WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND EMERGING THREATS .................... 15
GOAL 2: SECURE U.S. BORDERS AND APPROACHES ........................................................................ 17
OBJECTIVE 2.1: SECURE AND MANAGE AIR, LAND, AND MARITIME BORDERS .................................... 18
OBJECTIVE 2.2: EXTEND THE REACH OF U.S. BORDER SECURITY ......................................................... 20
OBJECTIVE 2.3: ENFORCE U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS ............................................................................. 22
OBJECTIVE 2.4: ADMINISTER IMMIGRATION BENEFITS TO ADVANCE THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY
OF THE NATION ....................................................................................................................................... 24
GOAL 3: SECURE CYBERSPACE AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ..................................... 26
OBJECTIVE 3.1: SECURE FEDERAL CIVILIAN NETWORKS ...................................................................... 28
OBJECTIVE 3.2: STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY AND RESILIENCE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ......... 30
OBJECTIVE 3.3: ASSESS AND COUNTER EVOLVING CYBERSECURITY RISKS ......................................... 32
OBJECTIVE 3.4: COMBAT CYBERCRIME ................................................................................................. 34
GOAL 4: PRESERVE AND UPHOLD THE NATION’S PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC
SECURITY .............................................................................................................................................................. 36
OBJECTIVE 4.1: ENFORCE U.S. TRADE LAWS AND FACILITATE LAWFUL INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND
TRAVEL ................................................................................................................................................... 37
OBJECTIVE 4.2: SAFEGUARD THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ....................................................... 39
OBJECTIVE 4.3: MAINTAIN U.S. WATERWAYS AND MARITIME RESOURCES ......................................... 41
OBJECTIVE 4.4: SAFEGUARD U.S. FINANCIAL SYSTEMS ........................................................................ 43
GOAL 5: STRENGTHEN PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE.......................................................... 44
OBJECTIVE 5.1: BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURE OF PREPAREDNESS ....................................................... 45
OBJECTIVE 5.2: RESPOND DURING INCIDENTS ....................................................................................... 47
OBJECTIVE 5.3: SUPPORT OUTCOME-DRIVEN COMMUNITY RECOVERY ............................................... 49
OBJECTIVE 5.4: TRAIN AND EXERCISE FIRST RESPONDERS ................................................................... 50
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 6: CHAMPION THE DHS WORKFORCE AND STRENGTHEN THE DEPARTMENT ..51
OBJECTIVE 6.1: STRENGTHEN DEPARTMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ............................ 52
OBJECTIVE 6.2: DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A HIGH PERFORMING WORKFORCE .................................... 53
OBJECTIVE 6.3: OPTIMIZE SUPPORT TO MISSION OPERATIONS.............................................................. 55
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................................................... 57
APPENDIX A: DHS MISSION ALIGNMENT .............................................................................................. 58
APPENDIX B: AGENCY PRIORITY GOALS..............................................................................................67
ENHANCE SOUTHERN BORDER SECURITY .............................................................................................. 67
STRENGTHEN FEDERAL CYBERSECURITY .............................................................................................. 67
APPENDIX C: FY 2019 PERFORMANCE MEASURES ...........................................................................68
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
R ELENTLESS R ESILIENCE
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its homeland security mission are born
from the commitment and resolve of Americans across the United States in the wake of the
September 11th attacks. In those darkest hours, we witnessed true heroism, self-sacrifice, and
unified resolve against evil. We rallied together for our common defense, and we pledged to stand
united against the threats attacking our great Nation, fellow Americans, and way of life. Together,
we are committed to relentless resilience, striving to prevent future attacks against the United
States and our allies, responding decisively to natural and manmade disasters, and advancing
American prosperity and economic security long into the future.
In the many years since the September 11th attacks, the Department has marshaled this collective
vision to face new and emerging threats against the Homeland. To do so, we are instilling a “culture
of relentless resilience” across the United States to harden security for the threats on the horizon,
withstand attacks, and rapidly recover. We are raising security baselines across the world,
addressing systemic risks, and building redundancies for critical lifelines that enable our prosperity
and way of life. Perhaps most importantly, we are forging partnerships to strengthen public,
private, and international cooperation and crowd-sourcing solutions that outpace the intentions of
our adversaries.
As the complex threat environment continues to evolve and loom, the Department will embody
the relentless resilience of the American people to ensure a safe, secure, and prosperous Homeland.
1
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
A GENCY
S COPE
AND
P UR POSE
AND
D OCTRINE
OF T HE
S T RAT EGIC P LAN
The DHS Strategic Plan comprehensively reflects the Department’s
complex mission. Every day, each operator and employee across the
Department advances the strategic goals and objectives contained
herein to keep Americans safe, secure, and resilient. The DHS
Strategic Plan establishes a common framework to analyze
and inform the Department’s management decisions,
including strategic guidance, operational requirements,
budget formulation, annual performance reporting, and
mission execution.
Along with the DHS Strategic Plan, DHS also conducts
the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, which
identifies strategic homeland security priorities based
on extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement.
Together, these documents inform internal operations
and our interactions with Congress, interagency
counterparts, and the American public.
A BOUT
T HE
D EPART MENT
From the ashes of the September 11th terrorist attacks,
Congress established DHS in 2003 as a new Cabinet-level
agency to unite the Nation’s approach to homeland security.
DHS combined functions of 22 different federal departments
and agencies with broad responsibilities that collectively
prevent attacks, mitigate threats, respond to national emergencies,
preserve economic security, and preserve legacy agency functions.
In the years since its formation, DHS has matured considerably to
improve integration across its Headquarters Offices and Operational
Components. As we move forward, it is imperative for DHS to continue
strengthening the execution of its Headquarters’ responsibilities by centralizing and
coordinating the Department’s many functions and ensuring that the whole is greater than
the sum of its parts.
2
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
M ISS ION S T AT EME NT
AND
G UIDING P RINCIPLE S
DHS Mission Statement:
With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our Homeland, and our values.
Guiding Principles:
Champion “Relentless Resilience” for All Threats and Hazards: DHS will remain resolute
against today’s threats and hazards by keeping pace with our adversaries and preparing for those
of tomorrow by identifying and confronting systemic risk, ensuring the Nation’s citizens remain
resilient, building redundancy and resilience into community lifelines, and raising the baseline of
our security across the board—and across the world.
Reduce the Nation’s Risk to Homeland Security Dangers: DHS will mitigate risks to the
Homeland by interdicting threats, hardening assets to eliminate vulnerabilities, and enhancing
rapid recovery efforts to reduce potential consequences from physical attacks, natural disasters,
and cyber incidents.
Promote Citizen Engagement and Strengthen and Expand Trusted Partnerships: Homeland
security is a whole-of-society endeavor, from every federal department and agency to every
American across this Nation. We will work together and empower partners to leverage national
capacity and capabilities, improve training exercises, and develop contingency plans that make
America safe, secure, and resilient against all threats and all hazards.
Uphold Privacy, Transparency, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties: DHS will continue to
implement safeguards for privacy, transparency, civil rights, and civil liberties when developing
and adopting policies and throughout the performance of its mission to ensure that homeland
security programs uphold privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Ensure Mission-Driven Management and Integration: As a unified Department, DHS will
leverage the collective capabilities of its operational Components to identify opportunities for
jointness and integration. Through a comprehensive and collaborative approach, DHS will ensure
its operators and employees have the necessary tools, resources, and authorities to execute its
mission.
3
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O RGANIZAT IONAL S T RUCT URE
DHS’s diverse and complex mission requires integration across eight Operational Components,
seven Support Components, and the Office of the Secretary. The Operational Components execute
the Department’s operational activities; the Support Components formulate guidance on policy,
management, research, training, and intelligence and enable mission execution; and the Office of
the Secretary coordinates and oversees the activities of the Department.
Leadership/Executive Support
Office of the Secretary
Support Components
Operational Components
EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY
SECRETARY
CHIEF OF STAFF
DEPUTY SECRETARY
OFFICE OF
STRATEGY,
POLICY, AND
PLANS
CHIEF
INFORMATION
OFFICER
OFFICE OF
OPERATIONS
COORDINATION
CYBERSECURITY
AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
SECURITY AGENCY
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
DIRECTORATE
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORATE
CHIEF
FINANCIAL
OFFICER
OFFICE OF
INTELLIGENCE
AND ANALYSIS
FEDERAL
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
AGENCY
FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT
TRAINING
CENTERS
MILITARY
ADVISOR
GENERAL
COUNSEL
LEGISLATIVE
AFFAIRS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PARTNERSHIP
AND
ENGAGEMENT
CIVIL RIGHTS
AND CIVIL
LIBERTIES
PRIVACY
INSPECTOR
GENERAL
CITIZENSHIP
AND
IMMIGRATION
OMBUDSMAN
COUNTERING
WEAPONS OF
MASS
DESTRUCTION
TRANSPORTATION
SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION
U.S. CITIZENSHIP
AND
IMMIGRATION
SERVICES
U.S. CUSTOMS AND
BORDER
PROTECTION
4
U.S. COAST GUARD
U.S. IMMIGRATION
AND CUSTOMS
ENFORCEMENT
U.S. SECRET
SERVICE
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Office of the Secretary
Oversees and coordinates the Department’s legal affairs, public affairs, external engagements,
operational requirements, and legislative affairs.
Operational Components
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: One of the world's largest law enforcement organizations,
charged with safeguarding America’s borders by keeping terrorists, their weapons, and all
dangerous people and illicit materials out of the United States while facilitating lawful
international travel and trade.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Serves as the Nation’s risk advisor to build
the national capacity to defend against cyber attacks, coordinate security and resilience efforts
across the public and private sectors, and identify and address the most significant risks to the
national critical functions provided by our Nation’s critical infrastructure.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Leads and supports the Nation in a risk-based,
comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery,
and mitigation to reduce the loss of life and property while protecting the Nation from all hazards,
including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Conducts homeland security investigations and
enforces criminal and civil federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration.
Transportation Security Administration: Protects the Nation's transportation systems to secure
freedom of movement for people and commerce.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Administers the Nation’s lawful immigration
system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for
immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the Homeland, and honoring our
values.
U.S. Coast Guard: Safeguards the American people and promotes our security in a complex,
evolving maritime environment as a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency, an
environmental steward, a first responder, a member of the Intelligence Community, and the only
military service within the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. Secret Service: Protects national leaders, visiting heads of state and government, designated
sites, and National Special Security Events, and safeguards the Nation's financial infrastructure
and payment systems to preserve the integrity of the economy.
5
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Support Components
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office: Supports Departmental efforts to counter
attempts by terrorists or other threat actors to carry out an attack against the United States or its
interests using a weapon of mass destruction.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers: Prepares law enforcement professionals to
perform their duties safely and effectively in their operating environments.
Management Directorate: Manages the Department’s processes for budget formulation,
appropriations, expenditure of funds, accounting and finance; procurement; human resources and
personnel; information technology systems; identity services; facilities, property, equipment, and
other material resources; and identification and tracking of performance measurements relating to
the responsibilities of the Department.
Office of Intelligence and Analysis: Equips the Homeland Security Enterprise with the timely
intelligence and information it needs to keep the Homeland safe, secure, and resilient.
Office of Operations Coordination: Provides daily information to the Secretary of Homeland
Security, senior leaders, and the homeland security enterprise to enable decision-making; oversees
the National Operations Center; and leads the Department’s continuity of operations and
government programs to enable continuation of primary mission essential functions in the event
of a degraded or crisis operating environment.
Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans: Leads development and coordination of Department-wide
strategies, policies, and plans to promote and ensure integration across the Department using riskbased analysis, subject-matter expertise, and stakeholder feedback.
Science and Technology Directorate: The primary research and development arm of the
Department that develops novel and unique technological solutions to protect the Homeland.
6
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL
AND
O BJ ECT IV E O VERV IEW
The Department’s complex homeland security mission requires close coordination and
collaboration across the Operational Components to achieve the strategic goals and execute the
strategic objectives within the DHS Strategic Plan. Similarly, DHS’s Support Components and
Headquarters Offices are an essential part of operational success, integrating intelligence, policies,
research and development, management and administrative functions, training, legal counsel,
external affairs, and leadership guidance to enable Operational Components. This unified approach
to the homeland security mission embraces the tenets of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which
founded the Department, and advances our mission collectively.
7
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 1: C OUNTER T ERRORISM AND
H OMELAND S ECURITY T HREATS
One of the Department’s top priorities is to resolutely protect Americans from terrorism and other
homeland security threats by preventing nation-states and their proxies, transnational criminal
organizations, and groups or individuals from engaging in terrorist or criminal acts that threaten
the Homeland. In recent years, terrorists and criminals have increasingly adopted new techniques
and advanced tactics in an effort to circumvent homeland security and threaten the safety, security,
and prosperity of the American public and our allies. The rapidly evolving threat environment
demands a proactive response by DHS and its partners to identify, detect, and prevent attacks
against the United States.
8
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 1.1: C OLLECT , A NALYZE ,
I NTELLIGENCE
AND
S HARE A CT IONABLE
Effective homeland security operations rely on timely and actionable intelligence to accurately
assess and prevent threats against the United States. Accordingly, DHS works diligently to enhance
intelligence collection, integration, analysis, and information sharing capabilities to ensure
partners, stakeholders, and senior leaders receive actionable intelligence and information
necessary to inform their decisions and operations. A critical and statutorily charged mission of
DHS is to deliver intelligence and information to federal, state, local, and tribal governments and
private sector partners. As such, DHS has the broadest customer base for intelligence products of
various subjects and classification requirements. This responsibility requires an integrated
intelligence network to eliminate redundancies and a mission-focused approach to producing and
sharing intelligence.
9
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
1.1.1
Forecast emerging threats to the homeland and provide early warning
1.1.2
Integrate intelligence and threat information across DHS based on leadership, operator, and
partner requirements to enable timely and specific actions
1.1.3
Disseminate intelligence and threat information for domestic and international partners to
support continuous threat awareness and inform appropriate threat mitigation and response
1.1.4
Execute counterintelligence activities to protect the homeland security enterprise from
espionage, insider threats, and external adversaries
1.1.5
Provide intelligence support to inform DHS policy, management, and operational
leadership
Desired Outcome: Develop intelligence and threat information to identify and mitigate homeland
security threats as early as possible and to inform the actions of decision-makers across the
Department, interagency partners, public and private sector stakeholders, and international
partners.
10
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 1.2: D E TECT
AND
D IS RUPT T HREATS
The terrorist threat to the United States has evolved considerably since the September 11th attacks.
Despite our success in detecting and preventing multi-actor, complex terrorist attacks, terrorists
continue plotting in search of any kind of vulnerability that may permit them to conduct an attack
against the United States. While this significant threat looms, decentralized terrorist groups have
exploited the Internet and social media to incessantly spread terrorist propaganda and training
material that inspire and recruit individuals within the United States to radicalize to violence.
Terrorist narratives across the ideological spectrum increasingly encourage the use of simple
tactics that target large public gatherings using vehicular attacks, small arms, homemade
explosives, or chemical, biological, or radiological materials. These attacks often lack overt
warning signs, which limits opportunities for intervention or apprehension.
To thwart these attacks, the Department and its partners must engage in a comprehensive
counterterrorism approach to prevent both foreign and domestic terrorism and more decisively
confronts the terror threat to the Homeland. The Department also requires the tools and capabilities
necessary to address targeted violence in all its forms, including threats to our schools,
infrastructure, and houses of worship.
11
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Meanwhile, nation-states are actively attempting to undermine democratic institutions and the
prosperity of the American people. Preventing adversaries from exerting direct or indirect
influence on the United States is imperative to homeland security. DHS is collaborating with state,
local, and tribal governments and private sector partners to disrupt these activities and raise
awareness among our citizens, while continuing to enforce protections against foreign investments
into the United States that threaten national security.
Transnational criminal organizations and their offshoots also pose serious threats to the American
people and the Homeland. Their crimes include trafficking and smuggling of humans, drugs,
weapons, and wildlife, as well as money laundering, corruption, cybercrime, fraud, financial
crimes, intellectual property theft, and the illicit procurement of export-controlled material and
technology. DHS is using its full breadth of law enforcement, border security, immigration, travel
security, and trade-based authorities to proactively prevent, identify, investigate, disrupt, and
dismantle these organizations.
Sub-Objectives:
1.2.1
Lead national terrorism and threat prevention efforts through community awareness
training and education, counter-radicalization and counter-recruitment, early warning, and
counter-recidivism
1.2.2
Disrupt foreign and domestic terrorist plots and attacks through aviation and surface
transportation security, border security, and maritime security, including by investigations,
interagency cooperation, and close partnerships with officials, nationwide operators, and
international partners
1.2.3
Prevent foreign threat actors from exploiting travel, trade, financial, and immigration
systems for illicit purposes
1.2.4
Counter malicious foreign influence efforts in the United States, including interference
directed at undermining U.S. Government operations and democratic processes, as well as
foreign investments that pose national security risks
1.2.5
Prevent, identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle human trafficking, child sexual
exploitation, and other exploitation-based crimes through a law enforcement and victimcentered approach
Desired Outcome: Detect and disrupt current and emerging homeland security threats, including
from terrorists, nation-states, and other threat actors.
12
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 1.3: P ROT ECT D E SIGNATE D L EADERSHIP , E V ENTS ,
T ARGETS
AND
S OFT
Ensuring the protection and safety of our Nation’s highest elected leaders is a paramount
responsibility that demands operational perfection. DHS maintains a highly skilled and motivated
workforce combined with innovative technologies and advanced countermeasures to protect
designated leadership, visiting foreign heads of state and government, and National Special
Security Events.
In addition to its more visible presidential protection responsibilities, DHS also protects federal
facilities and personnel across the United States; supports tribal, state, and local governments to
protect events of national significance; and improves security for soft targets. In particular, DHS
is leading efforts to defend soft targets by sharing intelligence bulletins and analysis with homeland
security stakeholders, developing best practices to counter attacks against soft targets, promoting
a dynamic process to assess soft targets and address security gaps, and investing in research and
development for technological solutions. Together, these initiatives harden and help defend
potential targets of terrorist attacks.
The Department also assesses risk to local special events occurring across the Nation. This
assessment uses the Special Events Assessment Rating (SEAR) methodology to rank events by
risk factors. DHS supports the highest risk events with Federal Coordinators to serve as
representatives of the Secretary by engaging directly with our state and local partners to coordinate
support that helps address safety and security capabilities shortfalls.
13
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
1.3.1
Protect designated U.S. leadership and their families, as well as visiting foreign heads of
state or government
1.3.2
Manage and coordinate federal security operations for National Special Security Events
and Special Event Assessment Rating events and provide support to state and local officials
for events of national significance
1.3.3
Protect federal facilities, including persons and property in those facilities
1.3.4
Improve security of soft targets and crowded places against the spectrum of nefarious
actors who might attempt to target or attack such locations
Desired Outcome: Provide protection to designated U.S. leaders, foreign heads of state and
government, special events of national significance, and federal facilities to ensure government
continuity and enhance overall security of soft targets and crowded places nationwide.
14
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 1.4: C OUNT ER W E APONS
E MER GING T HREATS
OF
M ASS D ESTRUCT ION
AND
The spread of rapidly evolving and innovative technology, equipment, techniques, and knowledge
presents new and emerging dangers for homeland security in the years ahead. Terrorists remain
intent on acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capabilities, and rogue nations and nonstate actors are aggressively working to develop, acquire, and modernize WMDs that they could
use against the Homeland. Meanwhile, biological and chemical materials and technologies with
dual use capabilities are more accessible throughout the global market. Due to the proliferation of
such information and technologies, rogue nations and non-state actors have more opportunities to
develop, acquire, and use WMDs than ever before. DHS is strengthening and integrating its
detection and counter-measure capabilities to address this profound risk to the United States.
Similarly, the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology
increase opportunities for threat actors to acquire and use these capabilities against the United
States and its interests. DHS is assessing how these technologies will affect homeland security and
developing proactive solutions to limit future risk.
15
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
1.4.1
Deter, detect, and disrupt the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and health
security dangers as early in the threat pathway as possible, including through
investigations, information sharing, and integrated counter-WMD planning
1.4.2
Strengthen foreign and domestic partner operational capability to prevent, protect against,
and respond to WMD and pandemic threats
1.4.3
Strengthen national horizon-scanning for emerging dangers, including through risk
analysis, strategic forecasting, intelligence sharing, and robust research and development
1.4.4
Counter malicious threats from disruptive and emerging technologies through development
and deployment of counter-measures and partner capacity-building
1.4.5
Deny terrorists access to WMD materials, agents, equipment, and precursors
Desired Outcome: Guard against evolving homeland security threats, such as weapons of mass
destruction, pandemics, sophisticated explosives, and the malicious use of disruptive and emerging
technology.
16
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 2: S ECURE U.S. B ORDERS
AND
A PPROACHES
Secure borders are essential to our national sovereignty. Managing the flow of people and goods
into the United States is critical to maintaining our national security. Illegal aliens compromised
the security of our Nation by illegally entering the United States or overstaying their authorized
period of admission. Illegal aliens who enter the United States and those who overstay their visas
disregard our national sovereignty, threaten our national security, compromise our public safety,
exploit our social welfare programs, and ignore lawful immigration processes. As a result, DHS is
implementing a comprehensive border security approach to secure and maintain our borders,
prevent and intercept foreign threats so they do not reach U.S. soil, enforce immigration laws
throughout the United States, and properly administer immigration benefits.
17
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 2.1: S E CURE
B OR DERS
AND
M ANAGE A IR , L AND ,
AND
M ARIT IME
The security of our Nation depends on operational control over air, land, and maritime borders to
prevent terrorists, transnational criminal organizations, and other threat actors from exposing the
United States to malicious and illicit activity originating from foreign sources. Sophisticated
smuggling enterprises, elaborate border tunnels, go-fast vessels, and other elusive travel methods
allow illegal aliens and transnational criminal organizations to evade border enforcement along
the United States’ nearly 6,000 miles of land border and 95,000 miles of shoreline.
To combat these threats, DHS is enhancing border security between designated ports of entry using
physical barriers and technological innovations that deny illegal border-crossers unobstructed
access to the United States. Additionally, DHS is improving its situational awareness of the land
and maritime domains and increasing personnel and assets to stop, interdict, and arrest illegal
aliens attempting to enter the United States. Together, these initiatives prevent infiltration of the
United States between designated ports of entry and crack down on illegal immigration to the
United States.
18
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Meanwhile, fraudulent documentation and deceptive travel practices impede our operators from
identifying and validating international travelers arriving at designated ports of entry and
preclearance facilities. DHS is taking specific measures to positively identify, screen, and vet
individuals to prevent potential known or suspected terrorists from traveling to the United States
using evasive travel methods. DHS is also combating systemic transnational criminal activity to
eliminate the flow of narcotics, crime, and violence into the United States, while intercepting
outbound illicit profits. This starts at the land and maritime ports of entry, where DHS is vigilantly
inspecting inbound cargo. By reducing the supply of narcotics that enter the United States and
preventing human smuggling and trafficking enterprises, DHS is preventing the existence of illicit
American markets.
Sub-Objectives:
2.1.1
Deter and impede illegal trade and travel across air, land, and maritime borders, including
through deployment of multi-layered defenses, barriers, systems, and personnel
2.1.2
Detect, interdict, and apprehend illicit activity and travel transiting across air, land, and
maritime borders
2.1.3
Positively identify, screen, and vet individuals entering and exiting the United States using
law enforcement information, intelligence, and other data to identify potential threat actors
Desired Outcome: Defend air, land, and maritime borders against illegal entry and illicit
activities.
19
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 2.2: E XTEND
T HE
R EACH
OF
U.S. B ORDER S E CURIT Y
Regional instability and foreign conflicts have endangered the global travel system and
significantly increased the prevalence of illegal travel to the United States, posing a significant
threat to homeland security from abroad. In particular, foreign terrorist fighters departing conflict
zones may attempt to exploit pathways into the United States to continue their terrorist intentions.
Additionally, transnational criminal organizations have capitalized on economically depressed
regions with limited law enforcement and security capabilities to expand their operations for
trafficking and smuggling illegal drugs, contraband, and illegal aliens into the United States.
Beyond these threat actors, DHS is confronted with the threat of mass migration movements across
land and maritime domains from unstable neighboring regions.
DHS is directly addressing these threats by extending the reach of U.S. border security using
forward-deployed border security operations, such as cutter patrols, customs and immigration
investigations, and travel security assets, combined with international partnerships around the
world. In partnership with other federal agencies, DHS is expanding efforts to collect and analyze
advance passenger information, strengthen the known and suspected terrorist Watchlist, share
information with international partners, and help international partners enhance their screening and
vetting capabilities to identify known and suspected terrorists. DHS is also investigating and
dismantling transnational criminal organizations to eliminate long-term threats to the Homeland.
Together, these initiatives enable the United States to extend the security of its borders,
intercepting foreign threats long before they reach U.S. soil.
20
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
2.2.1
Investigate, degrade, and dismantle transnational criminal organizations
2.2.2
Detect and disrupt smuggling, trafficking, and illicit activities through land, air, and
maritime pathways
2.2.3
Enhance foreign partner capacity to establish impediments to illicit trade and travel and
deter illegal entry into the United States
2.2.4
Work with partner nations to help them strengthen their own security capacity
Desired Outcome: Disrupt threats before they reach our territory by working with foreign partners
in source and transit zones to disrupt illicit activities and travel pathways.
21
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 2.3: E NFORCE U.S. I MM IGRAT ION L AWS
Enforcement of our Nation’s immigration laws is critically important to the national security and
public safety of the United States. Illegal aliens who are present in the United States blatantly
undermine the integrity of our immigration system and disregard our federal laws. Moreover, many
aliens who illegally enter the United States and those who overstay or otherwise violate the terms
of their authorized period of admission present a potential threat to national security and public
safety. Meanwhile, many aliens who commit crimes within the United States remain in American
communities solely because their home countries refuse to accept their repatriation. It is DHS’s
responsibility to faithfully execute and enforce the immigration laws of the United States in a
manner that eliminates these abuses.
DHS investigates immigration violators who fraudulently obtain visas to the United States, fail to
maintain their authorized status, or otherwise violate the terms of their lawful admission pursuant
to federal laws. DHS is improving its ability to maintain positive identification of individuals
throughout the immigration and travel process using both biographic and biometric information to
identify individuals who overstay their authorized period of admission. In particular, DHS is
expanding its screening policies for biometric screening at border entry/exit and evaluations for
extensions of status. DHS is also creating a culture of compliance to prevent employers from hiring
illegal alien labor that displaces American labor by utilizing a multi-prong approach, including
enforcement, compliance, and outreach. Through these initiatives, DHS is exercising all
appropriate and lawful means to identify, locate, and detain aliens unlawfully present within the
United States and facilitate their timely repatriation.
22
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
2.3.1
Identify, locate, detain, as appropriate, and remove removable aliens
2.3.2
Create and foster law enforcement partnerships with federal, state, local, and tribal
authorities that enable coordination and information sharing to arrest removable aliens
2.3.3
Investigate immigration violations and conduct workplace enforcement
Desired Outcome: Enforce immigration laws throughout the United States in a manner that
upholds the rule of law, American values, and national security.
23
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Objective 2.4: Administer Immigration Benefits to Advance the
Security and Prosperity of the Nation
Long-standing shortcomings throughout all phases of the visa issuance and travel process have
enabled individuals to exploit the Nation’s immigration system and gain unlawful access to the
United States. In particular, the U.S. immigration system remains vulnerable to fraudulent claims
for asylum and refugee status and exploitation of expedited travel programs. Meanwhile,
immigration policies have prioritized foreign labor over American workers and the best interests
and economic needs of the United States.
DHS has aggressively confronted these flaws and is now implementing immigration laws
consistent with their original intent. DHS is more thoroughly screening and vetting individuals
seeking immigration benefits and seeking entry to the United States, ensuring immigration benefits
comport with legislative intent and emphasize American economic needs, and eliminating
opportunities for systematic abuse of the U.S. immigration system at the expense of the American
people. Pursuant to the Executive Order 13788: “Buy American and Hire American,” DHS is also
working to ensure that American workers are better protected. Together, these policies will reduce
the “pull factors” from years past that encouraged illegal immigration and compel foreign nationals
and the businesses that employ foreign nationals on employment-based visas to comply with
federal immigration laws and procedures.
24
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
2.4.1
Adjudicate U.S. immigration applications and petitions consistent with the law and U.S.
national security interests
2.4.2
Provide immigration benefits to qualified immigrants and non-immigrants
2.4.3
Detect and reduce fraud in the immigration and naturalization programs to improve the
programs’ integrity
2.4.4
Improve and increase safeguards against the abuse of high- and low-skilled temporary
work programs and strengthen the economic security of and prohibitions against
displacement and discrimination of American workers
Desired Outcome: Facilitate lawful immigration while protecting American workers, including
ensuring that no one exploits the U.S. immigration system or its benefits.
25
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 3: S ECURE C YBERSPACE AND
C RITICAL I NFRASTRUCTURE
Increased connectivity of people and devices to the Internet and to each other has created an everexpanding attack surface that extends throughout the world and into almost every American home.
As a result, cyberspace has become the most active threat domain in the world and the most
dynamic threat to the Homeland. Nation-states and their proxies, transnational criminal
organizations, and cyber criminals use sophisticated and malicious tactics to undermine critical
infrastructure, steal intellectual property and innovation, engage in espionage, and threaten our
democratic institutions. By 2021, cybercrime damages are likely to exceed $6 trillion per year.
Moreover, the interconnectivity of critical infrastructure systems raises the possibility of cyber
attacks that cause devastating kinetic and non-kinetic effects. As innovation, hyper-connectivity,
and digital dependencies all outpace cybersecurity defenses, the warning signs are all present for
a potential “cyber 9/11” on the horizon.
Critical infrastructure provides the services that are the backbone of our national and economic
security and the health and well-being of all Americans. Cybersecurity threats to critical
infrastructure are one of the most significant strategic risks for the United States, threatening our
national security, economic prosperity, and public health and safety. In particular, nation-states are
targeting critical infrastructure to collect information and gain access to industrial control systems
in the energy, nuclear, water, aviation, and critical manufacturing sectors. Additionally,
sophisticated nation-state attacks against government and private-sector organizations, critical
infrastructure providers, and Internet service providers support espionage, extract intellectual
property, maintain persistent access on networks, and potentially lay a foundation for future
offensive operations.
Meanwhile, the heightened threat from physical terrorism and violent crime remains, increasingly
local and often aimed at places like malls and theaters, stadiums, and schools. Moreover, the advent
of hybrid attacks, where adversaries use both physical and electronic means to inflict and
compound harm, renders the threat landscape more challenging than ever.
26
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
DHS works to protect critical infrastructure against these and other threats of today, while also
focusing on tomorrow’s emerging risks. As the national lead for protecting and enhancing the
security and resilience of the Nation’s civilian cyber systems and critical infrastructure, DHS is
adopting a risk management approach that reduces systemic vulnerabilities across the Nation to
collectively increase our defensive posture against malicious cyber activity. Simultaneously, DHS
law enforcement investigations are focused on prosecuting cyber criminals, disrupting and
dismantling criminal organizations, and deterring future malicious activity. These complementary
initiatives address both threats and vulnerabilities across the threat spectrum.
27
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 3.1: S E CURE F EDERAL C IVIL IAN N ETWORKS
The Federal Government depends on reliable and verifiable information technology systems and
computer networks for essential operations. DHS and other federal civilian departments and
agencies maintain extensive databases with national security information, personal data on
American citizens, proprietary information, and other important information. As a result, malicious
cyber attackers target government systems to steal information, disrupt and deny access to
information, degrade or destroy critical information systems, or operate a persistent presence
capable of tracking information or conducting a future attack.
Serving as the designated federal lead for cybersecurity across the U.S. Government, DHS
promotes the adoption of common policies and best practices that are risk-based and responsive to
the ever-changing cyber threat environment. Additionally, DHS collaborates with interagency
counterparts to deploy capabilities for intrusion detection, unauthorized access prevention, and
near real-time cybersecurity risk reports. In deploying these capabilities, DHS prioritizes
assessments, security measures, and remediation for systems that could significantly compromise
national security, foreign relations, the economy, public confidence, or public health and safety.
28
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
3.1.1
Deploy protective capabilities, tools, and services across federal civilian government
systems
3.1.2
Improve cybersecurity for federal civilian departments and agencies by measuring and
enforcing baseline policies and practices and integrating operationally relevant information
to inform federal cybersecurity investments
3.1.3
Improve security and resilience of DHS networks and sensitive data as part of ongoing
information technology modernization efforts
Desired Outcome: Secure federal civilian information technology systems from cyber threats and
intrusions.
29
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 3.2: S T RENGT HE N
C RIT ICAL I NF RAST RUCT URE
T HE
S E CURITY
AND
R ESIL IE NCE
OF
Public and private owners and operators manage the vast array of critical infrastructure supporting
our economy and communities. These facilities provide national critical functions that are so vital
to the United States that their disruption, corruption, or dysfunction would have a debilitating
effect on the Nation’s security, economy, and public health and safety. Increasingly, infrastructure
owners and operators face new risks and even nation-state adversarial actions. DHS supports
owners and operators providing national critical functions by sharing intelligence and information,
assisting with incident response, performing vulnerability and risk assessments, investing in the
research and development of protective technologies, and providing other technical services to
improve the security and resilience of our Nation’s critical infrastructure against all threats. Along
with these important initiatives for stakeholders, DHS collaborates with interagency partners to
build a common understanding of strategic cyber threats that can empower private sector network
defenders, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and government partners to improve
resilience and integrity of national critical functions.
30
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
3.2.1
Identify gaps and prioritize solutions for current national risk management efforts
3.2.2
Provide tools, training, guidelines, and cyber and physical vulnerability and resilience
assessments to critical infrastructure owners and operators
3.2.3
Collect and share threat indicators and other cybersecurity intelligence and information
3.2.4
Assess cross-sector critical infrastructure risks and interdependencies and provide
expertise and services to critical infrastructure stakeholders
3.2.5
Enforce security standards at the Nation’s high-risk chemical facilities
3.2.6
Promote and enhance voice, video, and data communications for daily operations and
incident response
Desired Outcome: Critical infrastructure owners and operators participate as members of the
security community, working to ensure a safe and secure nation.
31
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 3.3: A SSESS
AND
C OUNT E R E VOLVING C YBERSE CURITY R ISKS
Infrastructure systems are rapidly evolving to capitalize on new technology and opportunities to
enhance their services, and adversaries are constantly evolving to outpace stove-piped defenses.
As a result, DHS plays a critical role in bringing government, private sector, and international
partners together to advance best practices and collective defenses that promote security and
resilience across the United States’ expansive critical infrastructure and the larger cyber
ecosystem. DHS leverages a national risk management approach to jointly assess cyber risks,
develop plans for specific threats, and implement tailored solutions to protect our critical networks.
As critical infrastructure owners and operators address the challenges of today, DHS will also look
to the future and leverage feedback from our partners to plan more strategically to match and
surpass the pace and innovation of adversaries.
32
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
3.3.1
Maintain awareness of trends in national and systemic cybersecurity and infrastructure
risks, including those impacting global information and communication technology supply
chains, and other systemic risks that affect national security, public health and safety, and
economic security
3.3.2
Develop strategies and actionable solutions to respond to emerging risks in collaboration
with relevant stakeholders
3.3.3
Promote communications used by emergency responders and government officials to keep
America safe, secure, and resilient
3.3.4
Advance public education and international collaboration to promote cybersecurity best
practices and maintain an open, interoperable, secure, reliable, and resilient internet
Desired Outcome: Bolster the security of critical infrastructure by understanding evolving risks,
prioritizing risk management activities to better secure infrastructure, and taking actions to respond
to emerging dangers.
33
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 3.4: C OMBAT C YBERCRIM E
As cyberspace increasingly pervades every facet of society, it has provided a new and complex
domain for traditional criminal actors to engage in illicit activity that threatens U.S. homeland
security. This borderless feature allows transnational criminal organizations and foreign criminal
actors to commit cyber intrusions, bank fraud, child exploitation, data breaches, and other
computer-enabled crimes without ever entering the United States. The speed of innovation further
complicates this threat, since cybersecurity measures are implicitly reactionary. As a result, the
United States is relying on law enforcement investigations to complement its defensive capabilities
that combat this threat.
Despite diligent efforts by the collective homeland security enterprise, the United States must do
more to deter, detect, and identify cyber criminals and bring them to justice. Accordingly, DHS is
applying its extensive cyber capabilities to investigate cyber criminals and take decisive actions to
shield the American public from the incessant barrage of cybercrime by disrupting and dismantling
criminal organizations. In particular, DHS is working to expand multilateral cooperative
agreements with international partners to reach cyber criminals from regions outside the United
States.
34
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
3.4.1
Investigate cybercrimes targeting individuals, private organizations, and public interests
consistent with DHS authorities and core homeland security investigative responsibilities
3.4.2
Engage in joint or collaborative investigations and provide voluntary cyber investigative
assistance to law enforcement partners nationwide and globally as appropriate
3.4.3
Share information and best practices with stakeholders to prevent and disrupt criminal
schemes involving cyberspace
Desired Outcome: Hold cyber criminals accountable and reduce cybercrime through focused law
enforcement activity and public-private partnerships.
35
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 4: P RESERVE AND U PHOLD THE N ATION ’ S
P ROSPERITY AND E CONOMIC S ECURITY
America’s prosperity and economic security are integral to DHS’s homeland security operations,
which affect international trade, national transportation systems, maritime activities and resources,
and financial systems. In many ways, these pre-DHS legacy functions are just as much a part of
DHS’s culture as its counterterrorism, border security, immigration, cybersecurity, and emergency
management responsibilities. Similarly, many DHS activities that advance this important element
of homeland security affect the American public just as much as DHS’s core security functions.
Accordingly, DHS continues to advance these critical operations while exploring new
opportunities to better serve the American public.
36
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 4.1: E NFORCE U.S. T RADE L AW S
I NTERNATIONAL T RADE AND T RAVEL
AND
F AC IL IT AT E L AWFUL
International trade law enforcement has an important nexus to homeland security based on the
inherent relationship between the U.S. border and cross-border trade. The United States is
confronted with anticompetitive trade practices, duty evasion, counterfeited goods, and intellectual
property theft, which deprives the United States from substantial lawful revenue and harms
American businesses, our economic advantage, and individual consumers. Protecting American
trade interests is only becoming more complex as the globalized marketplace flourishes and ecommerce rapidly expands its market share as an ever-increasing percentage of traditional streams
of commerce. International trade frequently involves online markets with extensive, worldwide
supply chains that require modernized trade enforcement practices to prevent products of forced
labor, counterfeit and dangerous goods, and imports linked to anticompetitive practices from
entering the United States. Rather than allowing other countries to reap benefits at the cost of the
American people, we will protect American fair trade interests and fully enforce international trade
agreements and corresponding laws within the United States.
DHS is enhancing its trade enforcement, security, and facilitation capabilities to enable legitimate
trade, contribute to American economic prosperity, and protect against risks to public health and
safety. Additionally, DHS is modernizing existing partnerships with members of the international
trade community and expanding existing safeguards and practices that prevent the importation of
illicit and dangerous goods, products made with forced labor, and intellectual property law
violations. By leveraging partner agency and industry intelligence, DHS is strengthening the global
trade network and increasing supply chain security to ensure that goods entering the United States
are safe for American consumption and consistent with our values.
37
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
4.1.1
Assess and collect duties, fees, and taxes, and enforce trade laws through penalties and
sanctions
4.1.2
Leverage new technologies and interagency collaboration to reduce unlawful trade and
secure trade lanes
4.1.3
Facilitate the flow of lawful merchandise and travelers with innovative, 21st century trade
and travel processes
4.1.4
Disrupt and dismantle the organizations, entities, and networks that commit intellectual
property violations and trade fraud
4.1.5
Investigate transnational cybercrime that exploits the international trade system
Desired Outcome: Uphold the law by targeting international trade violators and high-risk
shipments and entities while expediting lawful trade.
38
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 4.2: S AFEGUARD
T HE
U.S. T RANSPORT AT ION S YSTEM
The American economy and way of life rely on a robust transportation system with seamless
security measures that enable safe travel. For this reason, the transportation system remains a
noteworthy target for terrorists intent on inflicting mass casualties. In particular, terrorist
organizations remain focused on commercial aviation with new tactics, techniques, and weapons.
DHS is aggressively pursuing innovative technologies for detection and strengthening identity
verification for travelers within the United States through biometric and biographic techniques and
technologies. Additionally, DHS is collaborating with international partners to increase safety and
security standards for international air travel.
Beyond air transit, DHS continues to strengthen security measures at other transportation hubs,
including seaports, railways, other forms of mass transit, as well as pipelines in close coordination
with federal, state, local, and tribal governments and private sector partners.
39
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
4.2.1
Enhance domestic screening and vetting of passengers, baggage, cargo, and transportationsector workers to deter, identify and interdict threats
4.2.2
Protect designated conveyances and transportation hubs through personnel, tools, and
technical assistance
4.2.3
Invest in more efficient security technologies to reduce burdens on taxpayers and travel
stakeholders
4.2.4
Identify and close security vulnerabilities throughout the transportation sector, including
in airports, surface facilities, and maritime conveyances
4.2.5
Raise the baseline for worldwide aviation security through a combination of foreign partner
collaboration, promotion of incentives, and tailored requirements
Desired Outcome: Safeguard the U.S. transportation system by protecting the traveling public
and critical assets, closing identified security gaps, and promoting security best practices at home
and abroad.
40
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 4.3: M AINT AIN U.S. W AT ERWAYS
AND
M AR IT IME R ESOURCES
The accessibility of U.S. waterways and vitality of marine ecosystems enable economic activities
across the United States to flourish. Communities across the United States are heavily dependent
on maritime trade routes, marine resources and fisheries, and maritime tourism. DHS’s expansive
mission supports these economic interests by enforcing regulations to protect the marine
environment, managing maritime safety programs and standards, maintaining aids to navigation,
conducting maritime search and rescue, providing ice breaking services, and conducting maritime
defense operations. These important initiatives keep the U.S. maritime jurisdiction—including the
coastal environment, ports, Exclusive Economic Zone, and beyond—clean, safe, and secure
against maritime threats.
41
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
4.3.1
Establish and enforce regulations for mariners, vessels, and facilities
4.3.2
Protect marine resources and the environment
4.3.3
Maintain maritime security, safety, and stewardship
4.3.4
Conduct maritime defense operations
Desired Outcome: Safeguard waterways and maritime resources subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States with the goal of facilitating freedom of movement, public safety, commercial
activity, and U.S. national security.
42
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 4.4: S AFEGUARD U.S. F INANCIAL S YSTEMS
Economic prosperity depends on global trust in the U.S. dollar and reliable financial institutions
and payment systems as critical enablers of global commerce. Although the digitization of
financial systems has streamlined commerce and benefited the global economy, it has also exposed
financial transactions to new attack vectors. Meanwhile, digital currencies present new challenges
for DHS to prevent counterfeiting. These new challenges impose constraints on DHS that require
it to either expand its workforce to keep pace with the threat environment or prioritize law
enforcement investigations that counter the most significant criminal threats, while partnering with
other law enforcement agencies under their related authorities.
Sub-Objectives:
4.4.1
Investigate cybercrimes against the U.S. financial sector and related cyber markets and
networks
4.4.2
Investigate currency counterfeiting and banking payment system fraud
4.4.3
Share information and promote best practices nationwide to ensure financial systems are
secure against attack, theft, or malicious activity
Desired Outcome: Protect the integrity of the U.S. financial system and reduce counterfeiting,
financial crimes, fraud, and other criminal activity in or against any federally-insured financial
institution.
43
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 5: S TRENGTHEN P REPAREDNESS
R ESILIENCE
AND
The United States will never be completely impervious to present and emerging threats and
hazards across the homeland security mission space. Preparedness is a shared responsibility across
federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; the private sector; non-governmental
organizations; and the American people. Some incidents will surpass the capabilities of
communities, so the Federal Government must remain capable of responding to natural disasters,
physical and cyber attacks, weapons of mass destruction attacks, critical infrastructure disruptions,
and search and rescue distress signals. Following disasters, the Federal Government must be
prepared to support local communities with long-term recovery assistance. The United States can
effectively manage emergencies and mitigate the harm to American communities by thoroughly
preparing local communities, rapidly responding during crises, and supporting recovery.
44
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 5.1: B UIL D
A
N AT IONAL C ULT URE
OF
P REPAREDNESS
The United States must strive for a future where disasters cause fewer disruptions and less
destruction throughout our communities. The prevalence of disaster declarations and recovery
costs over the last decade demonstrate the need for local communities to improve their
preparedness for predictable natural events. Building more resilient communities and investing in
mitigation measures are the best ways to reduce risks to local communities arising from the loss
of life, economic disruption, and infrastructure restoration.
DHS is supporting communities to encourage self-sufficiency long before disasters arise by
emphasizing pre-disaster mitigation efforts that strengthen infrastructure and reinforce existing
structure, which can save lives and exponentially decrease post-disaster recovery costs.
Additionally, DHS will enable communities impacted by natural disasters to rebuild better,
stronger, and more resilient infrastructure to protect taxpayer investments and adequately prepare
for future disasters.
45
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
5.1.1
Incentivize investments that reduce risk and increase pre-disaster mitigation, including
expanding the use of insurance to manage risk
5.1.2
Improve awareness initiatives to encourage public action to increase preparedness
5.1.3
Use lessons from past disasters and exercises to inform community investment decisions
and anticipate challenges that may emerge during future disasters
5.1.4
Develop and implement pre-disaster operational plans to deliver lifesaving and lifesustaining commodities, equipment, and personnel from all available sources
5.1.5
Coordinate and guide continuity of operations activities through partnerships with
government and non-government stakeholders
Desired Outcome: Prepare the Nation to be ready for the worst disasters and enhance public safety
and property protection.
46
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 5.2: R E SPOND D URING I NC IDENT S
Natural and man-made disasters and emergencies can overwhelm even the best prepared
governments, causing a high number of fatalities, widespread destruction, and economic and social
damage. Communities impacted by incidents require guidance, tools, equipment, and resources to
deliver necessary aid and relief to Americans in their time of need. Working with stakeholders
across the country, DHS supports and promotes the ability of emergency response providers and
relevant government officials to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism,
and other hazards.
DHS responds to incidents by engaging directly with community leadership to provide support;
coordinating federal response and recovery efforts; and providing critical resources such as the
DHS Surge Capacity Force, search and rescue assets, communication systems, technical
assistance, and other incident response functions. This coordinated approach to emergency
response enables DHS to apply its full scope of authority and operational capabilities to support
impacted communities. For instance, DHS works with stakeholders across all levels of government
to maintain interoperable communication systems that support response and recovery efforts. In
the case of biological and chemical incidents, DHS works to identify, monitor, and assess emerging
threats to recognize outbreaks and control the spread of health incidents. Where cyber incidents
require a national response, DHS limits the immediate consequences and prevents the incident
from spreading to other victims. These response capabilities ensure that communities across the
United States are resilient against all threats and hazards.
47
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
5.2.1
Manage and lead the U.S. response to natural and man-made incidents
5.2.2
Conduct mass search and rescue operations in the immediate aftermath of an incident
5.2.3
Assist with stabilization and restoration of community lifelines, including safety and
security, food water and sheltering, health and medical, energy, communications,
transportation, and hazardous material, immediately following an incident.
5.2.4
Identify, monitor, and assess emerging threats to recognize outbreaks and control the
spread of health incidents
5.2.5
Enhance cyber incident response capabilities and coordination to minimize the effects of
cyber incidents.
5.2.6
Enhance intergovernmental coordination for emergency management by embedding
federal integration teams throughout all levels of government and communities
5.2.7
Improve information exchange, situational awareness, and prioritization of resources
among emergency managers, first responders, and across the public and private sectors
Desired Outcome: Respond quickly and decisively during catastrophic incidents to reduce their
impact.
48
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 5.3: S UPPORT O UT COME -D RIV EN C OMM UNIT Y R ECOVERY
Beyond the immediate response in the aftermath of catastrophic incidents, communities often
require long-term national assistance to fully restore infrastructure, economic activity, social
services, housing needs, and other critical government functions. DHS is streamlining and
integrating existing disaster assistance processes to reduce the complexity of survivor support
programs. Additionally, DHS is working with all levels of government to design outcome-driven
recovery that enables communities to have greater control over their own recovery. To
complement these initiatives, DHS is maturing the National Disaster Recovery Framework to help
communities rebuild stronger, reduce future risk, and decrease disaster costs.
Sub-Objectives:
5.3.1
Collaborate with impacted communities to restore overall capacity of community lifelines
and facilitate a return to normalcy
5.3.2
Provide communities with sustained outcome-driven recovery to reinforce and rebuild
damaged infrastructure and strengthen community resilience
5.3.3
Deliver disaster assistance to eligible recipients
Desired Outcome: Provide appropriate federal support and assistance to promote resilience and
recovery in areas affected by natural and man-made disasters.
49
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 5.4: T RAIN
AND
E XERCIS E F IRST R E SPONDERS
Most effective strategies for emergency management are federally supported and executed by the
immediate authority of a jurisdiction. As disasters unfold, individuals and local government serve
as the first responders to triage the incident and stabilize the situation. DHS promotes communitybuilding initiatives to improve the strength of local networks and reinforce practical skills of first
responders until further relief takes effect, such as a basic first aid, home maintenance, and
emergency planning methods.
Sub-Objectives:
5.4.1
Provide direct training for law enforcement professionals nationwide to enable them to
fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently
5.4.2
Train and equip first responders and other emergency workers for man-made and natural
disasters
5.4.3
Support and conduct exercises and assessment to increase whole community partner
readiness and to identify safety and security gaps
5.4.4
Develop awareness of regional and local risk to better focus exercises and education on the
higher risk threats facing a community
Desired Outcome: America’s first responders are trained to protect U.S. communities against
persistent and emerging threats and hazards.
50
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
G OAL 6: C HAMPION THE DHS W ORKFORCE
AND S TRENGTHEN THE D EPARTMENT
Since the Department’s formation, each Secretary has recognized the importance of strengthening
the integrated relationships between and among Headquarters Offices and Operational
Components to optimize the Department’s efficiency and effectiveness. Despite the considerable
progress during the last 15 years to establish and strengthen DHS management functions, the
Department has much to improve. Over the next four years, DHS will continue to mature as an
institution by increasing integration, clarifying roles and responsibilities, championing its
workforce, advancing risk-based decision-making, and promoting transparency and accountability
before the American people. In an important step forward, DHS is beginning to consolidate
Support Components and the Office of the Secretary on the St. Elizabeths Campus, which will
further promote integration.
51
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 6.1: S T RENGT HE N D EPART MENTAL G OVE RNANCE
M ANAGEMENT
AND
Increasing responsibilities with limited budgets require clear leadership, effective strategic
prioritization, and management by Department’s leadership. DHS will continue to mature its
Headquarters as an institution, including policymaking, management business processes, and other
advisory responsibilities. DHS is further defining and prioritizing its operational needs with a
Department-wide view based on input from Component operators and its external stakeholders.
Through this approach, DHS is applying thorough and sound analytic studies to identify and
implement the best solutions for the Nation’s investment in homeland security.
Sub-Objectives:
6.1.1
Define the role of DHS Headquarters and effectively position Headquarters Offices to
enable Operational Components’ activities
6.1.2
Promote Department-wide mission support and business support integration to improve
coordination
6.1.3
Ensure effective processes to identify and prioritize requirements, develop and implement
strategies, policies, integrated plans, and requirements that execute presidential, legislative,
and secretarial priorities
6.1.4
Formulate the Department’s budget and allocate resources effectively and consistently with
the articulated strategies, policies, plans, and operational requirements
6.1.5
Optimize research and development of solutions based on strategic, policy, operational
requirements, and capability assessments
Desired Outcome: Enhance organizational management by aligning processes that translate
leadership vision into action through strategic planning, operational capabilities and requirements,
resourcing, acquisition, performance evaluation, and administrative functions.
52
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 6.2: D E VELOP
W ORKFORCE
AND
M AINT AIN
A
H IGH P E RFORM ING
Maintaining a highly-skilled, diverse, and engaged workforce is critical to accomplishing the
homeland security mission, which relies on dedicated personnel who go above and beyond to keep
Americans safe from harm. From its beginning, DHS has overcome the challenges of standing up
an enormous agency comprised of many moving parts, by staying focused on the core mission at
hand. Despite the many advances, DHS continues to identify opportunities to significantly increase
the efficiency and effectiveness of management systems that support the workforce while
developing and sustaining a leadership cadre at every level that inspires an engaged and proficient
workforce. Every day, the operators and employees of DHS perform difficult and often dangerous
work that goes unseen by most of the American public. Investing in the ability of our workforce
to perform to capacity is one of our highest priorities.
DHS leadership continues to emphasize workforce engagement and improve agency-wide
satisfaction. DHS is making significant improvement as evidenced by increases in both Employee
the Engagement Index and the Inclusion Index. In addition, DHS is implementing agency-wide
human capital solutions that identify and develop a continuous pipeline of leaders who are capable
of attracting and retaining the best talent, encourage creativity and innovation to maximize
employee performance, and invest in building career paths and initiatives that inspire work-life
balance in order to incentivize and retain exceptional performers. Through dedicated workplace
inclusion and employee engagement, DHS will enhance the current workforce and build the future
workforce to accomplish the homeland security mission.
53
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
6.2.1
Encourage leadership and empower employees to execute their missions
6.2.2
Enhance recruiting efforts and streamline personnel hiring practices to ensure a diverse
workforce
6.2.3
Improve personnel training, professional development, and education opportunities
6.2.4
Retain and reward exceptional performers, enhance career paths, develop greater crosscomponent opportunities for career advancement
6.2.5
Foster a resilient and prepared DHS workforce by supporting employees and their families
6.2.6
Improve leadership communication with the workforce
6.2.7
Promote a culture of transparency, fairness, and equal employment opportunity throughout
the DHS workforce, providing avenues of redress and leadership support in addressing and
resolving workplace conflict via integrated conflict management and Alternative Dispute
Resolution systems
6.2.8
Encourage the use of mentoring and coaching programs to enhance employee recruitment,
engagement, and retention
Desired Outcome: Maximize mission success by hiring a skilled, diverse, and inclusive
workforce, retaining world-class personnel, and empowering frontline operators and enabling
personnel to do their jobs, enforce the law, and protect the Homeland.
54
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
O BJ ECT IVE 6.3: O PT IM IZE S UPPORT
TO
M ISS ION O PERAT IONS
DHS Headquarters Offices and their Component-based mission support counterparts are critical
elements of the DHS mission, providing operators and personnel with the equipment, training,
technology, legal counsel, partnerships, and research to more effectively execute their
responsibilities. DHS is increasingly integrating these functions across the Department and
leveraging cross-Component capabilities and resources to create efficiencies and streamline
processes. DHS mission support requires efficient and effective optimization of operations.
Specifically, we should look to collaboration, consolidation, and shared services to improving
mission support to operations. DHS is experimenting with solutions that leverage existing
technologies to combat immediate and emerging threats; coordinating joint operations; closely
monitoring operational needs to identify new statutory needs; identifying joint requirements and
acquisition needs; and ensuring that DHS activities comply with civil rights, civil liberties, and
privacy requirements. Together, these initiatives advance the Department and its workforce to keep
pace with the ever-evolving threat landscape.
55
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Sub-Objectives:
6.3.1
Increase partnership engagement to support operational activities and outcomes
6.3.2
Improve situational awareness of events and incidents and provide actionable information
to support senior leadership decisions across the Department
6.3.3
Provide legal support to operations and advocate for legal authorities necessary to
accomplish the homeland security mission
6.3.4
Preserve civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy in all efforts, activities, and programs
aimed at securing the homeland and achieving the Department’s goals and objectives
6.3.5
Manage and ensure sustainability and efficiency of Department real property and assets
6.3.6
Enable secure, innovative, and interoperable technology solutions to enable operational
success
6.3.7
Mature information sharing and data management
Desired Outcome: Enhance mission operations by increasing coordination and cooperation with
key homeland security partners; providing senior leadership and operators with situational
awareness and actionable information; identifying research and development solutions for
operational needs; maintaining property and assets; and conducting community engagement and
outreach.
56
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
C ONCLUSION
Since its inception, the employees of DHS proudly serve this Nation each day with honor and
integrity to ensure the safety and security of the American public against adversaries, natural
disasters, and manmade hazards. As professionals, we dutifully place the interests of the United
States over ourselves to safeguard and protect our Homeland and the American way of life.
Throughout our mission, we accept great personal risk and endure many sacrifices to preserve the
freedoms, liberties, and values of this great Nation.
We honor those committed to this mission and the lives lost in the line of duty. We will never
forget their courageous service and commitment to the American people.
57
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
A PPENDIX A: DHS M ISSION A LIGNMENT
The following tables provide the program performance goals and descriptions of the Department’s
mission programs. A mission program is a group of activities acting together to accomplish a
specific high-level outcome external to DHS and includes operational processes, skills,
technology, human capital, and other resources.
Analysis and Operations (A&O)
Mission Program: Analysis and Operations
Program Performance Goal: Enhance domestic situational awareness to protect the homeland
through intelligence analysis and operational communications.
Program Description: The A&O program analyzes and shares domestic threat and hazard
information through the activities of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis and the Office of
Operations Coordination. These two offices work together to improve intelligence, information
sharing, and coordination with stakeholders. These offices also develop protective measures and
countermeasures to protect the homeland.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Mission Program: Border Security Operations
Program Performance Goal: Secure the U.S. Border between the ports of entry.
Program Description: The Border Security Operations program is charged with securing
America’s Southwest, Northern, and certain Coastal borders. Through the coordinated use of the
Department’s operational capabilities and assets of the U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine
Operations, CBP improves operational effectiveness by working across the Department to prevent
terrorists and terrorist weapons, illegal aliens, smugglers, narcotics, and other contraband from
moving across the U.S. border.
Mission Program: Trade and Travel Operations
Program Performance Goal: Enhance the security of trade and travel by intercepting potential
threats at or before the border.
Program Description: Managed by the Office of Field Operations and the Office of Trade, the
Trade and Travel Operations program allows the Department to intercept potential threats better at
the ports before they can cause harm while expediting legal trade and travel. The program includes a
multilayered system of people, technology, intelligence, risk information, targeting, international
cooperation, and expanded shipper and traveler vetting that provides greater flexibility and capacity
to accomplish these functions prior to arrival at the U.S. border.
58
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Integrated Operations
Program Performance Goal: Sustain domain awareness through command and control,
coordination, information and situational awareness, and occupational health and safety operations.
Program Description: The Integrated Operations Program provides: Air and Marine Operations
support to the Border Patrol’s detection and interdiction roles; International Affairs support across all
missions; Intelligence and information sharing for operations and investigations; and overall
operations support for systems, training, firearms, and credentialing.
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office
Mission Program: Capability and Operational Support
Program Performance Goal: Support front-line operators and DHS leadership with situational
awareness, information analytics, decision support, and develop capabilities to counter weapons of
mass destruction and other health security threats through strategic planning, analysis, and
requirements definition, as well as procurement, testing, and evaluation of detection and analysis
equipment.
Program Description: The Capability and Operational Support program analyzes sensor data,
defines requirements, provides test and evaluation capabilities, and procures chemical/biological and
radiological/nuclear detection equipment that can be carried, worn, or easily moved to support
operational end-users. The Program manages and supports national biosurveillance and detection
capabilities, coordination, and preparedness for biological and chemical events to help communities
build capabilities to prepare, respond, and recover.
Mission Program: Capability Building
Program Performance Goal: Build and enhance the ability of, DHS Components, state and local
first responders, and interagency and international operators to detect, prevent, and respond to
threats from weapons of mass destruction and other health security threats.
Program Description: The Capability Building program supports projects and activities that provide
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and medical support, as well as readiness activities, in
support of interagency partners, DHS Components, state and local first responders, and international
partners. The program pursues this by establishing, maintaining, and supporting projects and activities
to defend against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and other health security threats.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA):
Mission Program: Cybersecurity
Program Performance Goal: Improve the security of federal civilian government and private sector
Information Technology networks.
Program Description: The Cybersecurity program advances computer security preparedness and the
response to cyberattacks and incidents. The program includes activities to secure the federal network,
respond to incidents, disseminate actionable information, and collaborate with private-sector partners
to secure critical infrastructure. This program supports the implementation of government-wide
deployment of hardware and software systems to prevent and detect incidents, response to incidents at
federal and private entities, and collaboration with the private sector to increase the security and
resiliency of critical networks. The program also coordinates cybersecurity education for the federal
workforce.
59
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Infrastructure Protection
Program Performance Goal: Increase our partners’ capability and capacity to strengthen and
secure the Nation’s critical infrastructure.
Program Description: The Infrastructure Protection program leads and coordinates both regulatory
and voluntary national programs and policies on critical infrastructure security and resilience and
develops strong partnerships across government and the private sector. The program conducts and
facilitates vulnerability and consequence assessments to help critical infrastructure owners and
operators and SLTT partners to understand and address risks to critical infrastructure. Additionally, it
provides information on emerging threats and hazards and offers tools and training to partners to help
them manage risks to critical infrastructure.
Mission Program: Emergency Communications
Program Performance Goal: Advance federal, state, local, and tribal government interoperable
emergency communications.
Program Description: The Emergency Communications program is responsible for advancing the
Nation’s interoperable emergency communications capabilities to enable first responders and
government officials to continue to communicate in the event of disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mission Program: Education, Training, and Exercises
Program Performance Goal: Improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of emergency management
personnel to prepare, respond, and recover from disasters of all kinds.
Program Description: The Education, Training, and Exercises program comprises the National
Exercise Program and the National Training and Education Division, which include the Emergency
Management Institute, the Center for Domestic Preparedness, and the U.S. Fire Administration. These
entities provide emergency management, response and recovery training, and exercise coordination to
improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of federal and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT)
emergency management personnel.
Mission Program: Grants
Program Performance Goal: Enhance the Nation's preparedness by increasing the capability of
states, territories, and local jurisdictions to prepare, respond, and recover from disasters of all kinds.
Program Description: FEMA’s Grants program leads the Federal Government’s financial assistance
to state and local jurisdictions and regional authorities as they prepare, respond to, and recover from all
hazards. The program provides grants to enhance jurisdictions’ resiliency to man-made and other
major disasters and to enhance their homeland security strategies.
60
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Mitigation
Program Performance Goal: Strengthen mitigation nationwide to reduce the Nation’s vulnerability
from disasters of all kinds.
Program Description: The Mitigation program works to strengthen investments in mitigation
nationwide to reduce the Nation’s vulnerability to natural disasters or other emergencies, and to
facilitate adoption and enforcement of up-to-date design and construction practices through state and
local building codes. Developing resilient capacity in communities prior to a disaster supports the
development of a culture of preparedness. The program supports activities that result in sound risk
management decisions by individuals, the private-sector, and public-sector entities by conducting
three core activities: risk analysis, risk reduction, and insurance against flood risk. These areas work
together to reduce the loss of life and property, to enable individuals to recover more rapidly from
floods and other disasters, and to lessen the financial burden on taxpayers. These investments are
implemented at the Headquarters and Regional levels to support communities in mitigation efforts.
Mission Program: National Flood Insurance Fund
Program Performance Goal: Reduce the Nation's vulnerability to flood hazards, accelerate
recovery from floods, and mitigate future flood losses.
Program Description: The National Flood Insurance Fund aims to reduce the impact of flooding on
privately owned property by mapping areas of flood risk, providing flood insurance, and encouraging
communities to adopt and enforce sound floodplain management regulations. The program also
provides technical assistance and monitors communities for compliance with the minimum National
Flood Insurance Plan criteria. These actions reduce risk from flooding, accelerate recovery efforts, and
mitigate future flood losses.
Mission Program: Preparedness and Protection
Program Performance Goal: Improve the Nation’s ability to prepare for disasters of all kinds while
ensuring the survival of an enduring constitutional government if a disaster were to occur.
Program Description: The Preparedness program works to prepare the Nation for disasters of all
kinds. Preparedness includes the management and administrative support functions associated with
training and national exercise programs. Protection carries out a mandated mission to provide
executive agent leadership to guarantee the survival of an enduring constitutional government by
ensuring continuity of government, continuity of operations, and national contingency programs.
Mission Program: Regional Operations
Program Performance Goal: Increase the capability of states, territories, and local jurisdictions to
prevent, respond, and recover from disasters of all kinds.
Program Description: The Regional Operations program includes the leadership, management, and
mission support functions of the 10 FEMA regions across the Nation. The program works with
communities to reduce the impacts of natural disasters; prepare families and individuals for all
possible hazards; and support state, local, and tribal partners with technical assistance and grants for
projects that aim to reduce risks, improve public safety, and protect the environment.
61
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Response and Recovery
Program Performance Goal: Improve the response and recovery capability of communities who
have been overwhelmed by a disaster.
Program Description: The Response and Recovery program helps to ready the Nation for
catastrophic disasters leveraging resources from various sources including the Disaster Relief Fund
(DRF). This includes efforts to coordinate the core federal response capabilities used to save lives, and
protect critical infrastructure in communities throughout the Nation that have been overwhelmed by the
impact of a major disaster or an emergency. The program also takes the lead among federal agencies,
state and local governments, and representatives of non-governmental organizations to support
individuals and communities with the goal of reducing losses, improving recovery operations, and
promoting resilience. This program works with residents, emergency management practitioners,
organizational and community leaders, and government officials to mature the National Disaster
Recovery Framework, enhance logistics and resilient disaster communications, and improve the overall
disaster survivor and grantee experience.
Mission Program: Disaster Relief Fund
Program Performance Goal: Provide the core federal operational capabilities to communities
affected by federally-declared disasters so they can return to normal function quickly and efficiently.
Program Description: The Disaster Relief Fund is used to fund eligible response and recovery efforts
associated with major domestic emergencies that overwhelm state and tribal resources pursuant to the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288), as amended. Through
this fund, FEMA is authorized to coordinate federal disaster support activities as well as eligible state,
local, tribal, and territorial actions to support response and recovery.
Management Directorate
Mission Program: Federal Protective Service
Program Performance Goal: Mitigate risk to federal facilities and their occupants.
Program Description: The Federal Protective Service protects federal facilities, their occupants, and
visitors by providing law enforcement and protective security services. The program provides
uniformed law enforcement and armed contract security guard presence, conducts facility security
assessments, and designs countermeasures for tenant agencies in order to reduce risks to federal
facilities and occupants.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Mission Program: Aviation Screening Operations
Program Performance Goal: Enhance aviation security by using intelligence-driven, risk-based,
layered passenger and baggage screening procedures and technology to increase aviation security
while managing the passenger experience.
Program Description: The Aviation Screening Operations program applies intelligence-driven,
risk-based, layered passenger and baggage screening procedures and technology to increase aviation
security to prevent terrorism and criminal activity. The program implements processes that allow
personnel at security checkpoints to focus on high- risk and unknown travelers while managing the
passenger experience. The program also ensures the 100-percent screening of checked baggage for
prohibited items. Other activities include training the screener workforce, vetting airline passengers,
and canine operations.
62
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Other Operations and Enforcement
Program Performance Goal: Strengthen the security regulation and enforcement presence in the
Nation’s commercial transportation sectors.
Program Description: The Other Operations and Enforcement program encompasses security
reviews, assessment, and enforcement activities in the various modes of commercial transportation.
The program includes intelligence and analysis, domestic and international inspectors, reviews and
assessments, Federal Air Marshals, deputizing airline pilots, and training crew members in selfdefense. This program ensures compliance with transportation-related regulations and standards,
providing credentialing services for transportation sector, and the vetting of the transportation
workforce to prevent terrorism and criminal activity.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Mission Program: Employment Status Verification (E-Verify)
Program Performance Goal: Ensure lawful employment and the protection of American workers by
providing efficient and accurate employment eligibility information.
Program Description: The electronic employment eligibility verification E-Verify program enables
enrolled employers to quickly and easily confirm the work authorization of their newly hired
employees. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form
I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data available to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
to confirm employment eligibility within seconds.
Mission Program: Fraud Prevention and Detection Account
Program Performance Goal: Enhance the security and integrity of the legal immigration system by
eliminating systemic vulnerabilities.
Program Description: The Fraud Prevention and Detection Account supports activities related to
preventing and detecting immigration benefit fraud. The program leads efforts to identify threats to
national security and public safety, deter, detect and combat immigration benefit fraud, and remove
systemic and other vulnerabilities.
Mission Program: H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account
Program Performance Goal: Ensure H1-B visa requests are processed in a timely and accurate
manner through the collection of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account.
Program Description: The H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitioner Account supports activities related to the
adjudication of employment-based petitions for temporary nonimmigrant workers in specialty
occupations (H-1B visa).
Mission Program: Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA)
Program Performance Goal: Ensure immigration benefit and services are processed in a timely and
accurate manner.
Program Description: The Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA) is the primary funding
source for USCIS. Fees collected from immigration benefit applications and petitions are deposited into
IEFA. They fund the cost of adjudicating immigration benefit requests, including those provided
without charge to refugee, asylum, and certain other immigrant applicants.
63
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
Mission Program: Maritime Law Enforcement
Program Performance Goal: Execute effective maritime law enforcement and border control.
Program Description: The Maritime Law Enforcement program preserves America’s jurisdictional
rights within our maritime borders. The U.S. Coast Guard is the lead federal maritime law enforcement
agency for enforcing national and international law on the high seas, outer continental shelf, and
inward from the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone to inland navigable waters, including the Great Lakes.
The following statutory missions contribute to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Law Enforcement
program: Drug Interdiction; Migrant Interdiction; Living Marine Resources; and Other Law
Enforcement.
Mission Program: Maritime Security Operations
Program Performance Goal: Detect, deter, prevent, disrupt, and recover from terrorism in the
maritime domain.
Program Description: The Maritime Security Operations program encompasses activities to detect,
deter, prevent, disrupt, and recover from terrorist attacks and other criminal acts in the maritime
domain. It includes the execution of antiterrorism, response, and select recovery operations. This
program conducts the operational element of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ports, Waterways, and Coastal
Security mission and complements the other two elements: the establishment and oversight of maritime
security regimes, and maritime domain awareness.
Mission Program: Maritime Prevention
Program Performance Goal: Execute marine safety and environmental protection and minimize
security vulnerability of vessels and marine facilities.
Program Description: The Maritime Prevention program mitigates the risk of human casualties and
property losses, minimizes security risks, and protects the marine environment. The following
statutory missions contribute to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Prevention program: Ports,
Waterways, and Coastal Security; Marine Safety; and Marine Environmental Protection.
Mission Program: Maritime Response
Program Performance Goal: Rescue persons in distress and mitigate the impacts of maritime
disaster events. Ensure maritime incident response and recovery preparedness.
Program Description: The Maritime Response program mitigates the consequences of marine
casualties and disastrous events. The U.S. Coast Guard preparedness efforts ensure incident response
and recovery resources are fully ready and capable to minimize impact of disasters to people, the
environment, and the economy. The following statutory missions contribute to the U.S. Coast
Guard’s Maritime Response program: Search and Rescue and Marine Environmental Protection.
64
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Marine Transportation Systems Management
Program Performance Goal: Safeguard and expedite lawful trade and travel and mitigate hazards
and vulnerabilities.
Program Description: The Marine Transportation System Management program ensures a safe,
secure, efficient and environmentally sound waterways system. The U.S. Coast Guard minimizes
disruptions to maritime commerce by assessing and mitigating risks to safe navigation and by
providing waterways restoration capabilities after extreme weather events, marine accidents, or
terrorist incidents. The U.S. Coast Guard works in concert with other federal agencies, state and local
governments, marine industries, maritime associations, and the international community to optimize
balanced use of the Nation’s marine transportation system. The following statutory missions
contribute to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Transportation System Management program: Aids to
Navigation and Ice Operations.
Mission Program: Defense Operations
Program Performance Goal: Achieve Readiness to Support Combatant Commanders.
Program Description: The Defense Operations program exercises the U.S. Coast Guard’s unique
authorities and capabilities to support the National Military Strategy and Department of Defense
Combatant Commanders. The program portfolio comprises of eight activities, including: Maritime
Interdiction Operations; Combating Maritime Terrorism; Port Operations Security and Defense;
Military Environmental Response Operations; Coastal Sea Control Operations; Maritime Operational
Threat Response; Rotary Wing Air Intercept Operations; and Support for Theater Security Cooperation
Initiatives.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Mission Program: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Program Performance Goal: Prevent the exploitation of systemic vulnerabilities in trade and
immigration that allow foreign terrorists, other criminals, and their organizations to endanger the
American people, property, and infrastructure.
Program Description: The HSI program conducts criminal investigations to protect the United States
against terrorism and criminal organizations that threaten public safety and national security. HSI
combats transnational criminal enterprises that seek to exploit America’s legitimate trade, travel, and
financial systems. This program upholds and enforces America’s customs and immigration laws at and
beyond our Nation’s borders.
Mission Program: Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
Program Performance Goal: Improve the ability of the Department to arrest, detain, and remove
criminals, fugitives, and other dangerous foreign nationals.
Program Description: ERO enforces the Nation’s immigration laws by identifying and apprehending
illegal immigrants, detaining those individuals pending final determination of removability, and
removing aliens from the United States. This program carries out its mission through a range of
initiatives and activities that focus on identifying and prioritizing the removal of recent illegal border
crossers and individuals who pose a threat to national security or public safety, including, but not limited
to, fugitive aliens and aliens convicted of crimes.
65
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Mission Program: Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
Program Performance Goal: Provide timely and accurate legal advice and litigation activities to
advance the ICE mission.
Program Description: The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor provides a full-range of legal
services to ICE. The program provides advice and counsel to ICE personnel on their law enforcement
authorities and legal liabilities. The program represents ICE before multiple administrative venues and
supports the Department of Justice in the prosecution of ICE cases and in the defense of civil cases
against ICE. This program serves as the exclusive DHS representative in removal proceedings before
the Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review.
U.S. Secret Service (USSS)
Mission Program: Protective Operations
Program Performance Goal: Protect our Nation's leaders and candidates, other designated
individuals and facilities, the White House Complex, and National Special Security Events.
Program Description: The Protective Operations program protects the President and Vice President
and their families, former Presidents and their spouses, visiting heads of State and Government, and
other designated individuals. It also secures the White House Complex, Vice President's Residence,
and other designated places; and designs, coordinates, and implements operational security plans for
designated National Special Security Events. The program investigates, evaluates, disseminates, and
maintains information concerning known, potential, or perceived threats to protectees, locations, and
National Special Security Events. The program is staffed by Special Agents, Uniformed Division
Officers, and administrative, professional, and technical personnel that work closely with the military
and with federal, state, county, local, and international law enforcement organizations to ensure
mission success. This enables the Department to facilitate continuity of government and overall
homeland security.
Mission Program: Field Operations
Program Performance Goal: Protect the Nation’s financial infrastructure by conducting criminal
investigations of financial crimes, cybercrimes, counterfeit currency, and protective intelligence.
Program Description: The Field Operations program supports the daily operations of the domestic
and international field offices. The program is staffed by Special Agents, Uniformed Division
Officers, Technical Law Enforcement, and administrative, professional, and technical personnel.
Program personnel divide their time between conducting criminal investigations of financial crimes,
cybercrimes, counterfeit currency, protective intelligence, and performing protection responsibilities.
This enables the Department to protect the United States economy and continuity of government by
investigating threats to financial payment systems, threats to leadership and locations, and events
with symbolic and practical significance to United States citizens in physical space and cyberspace.
66
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
A PPENDIX B: A GENCY P RIORITY G OALS
Agency Priority Goals (APG) are one of the tenets of GPRAMA and provide opportunities for
leadership to significantly drive improvement in near-term performance. OMB’s Performance
Framework encourages agencies to identify outcome-oriented, ambitious targets that reflect nearterm results or achievements to accomplish within approximately two years. DHS has historically
had several APGs focusing on key leadership priorities linked to our strategic plan goals.
E NHANCE S OUT HE RN B OR DE R S ECURIT Y
Strategic Goal: Secure U.S. Borders and Approaches (Goal 2)
Description: Improve security along the Southwest Border of the United States between ports of
entry. By September 30, 2019, DHS will implement the Operational Control (OPCON) framework
between ports of entry in 100 percent of U.S. Border Patrol Sectors along the Southwest Border
as the means to enhance security.
S TRENGTHEN F E DE RAL C YBE RSE CUR IT Y
Strategic Goal: Strengthen Cyberspace and Critical Infrastructure (Goal 3)
Description: Strengthen the defense of the federal network through the increased dissemination
of cyber threat and vulnerability information in near real time to federal agencies. By September
30, 2019, federal agencies will mitigate 70 percent of significant (critical and high) vulnerabilities
identified through DHS scanning of their networks within a designated timeline.
67
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
A PPENDIX C: FY 2019 P ERFORMANCE M EASURES
Consistent with the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010 and the Office of Management and Budget’s
guidance, DHS manages a performance framework that aligns to the DHS Strategic Plan to support
performance management. Led by the Management Directorate, DHS’s performance community
comprises representation from senior leadership across the Department to evaluate strategic and
programmatic performance each year. DHS’s performance process matures each year to improve
the Department’s ability to measure success. Accordingly, the Department will continue to update
these FY 2019 Performance Measures throughout the execution of the DHS Strategic Plan.
Goal 1: Combat Terrorism and Homeland Security Threats
Highlighted Performance Measures
Percent of National Operations Center
Incident Reports and Situational Awareness
Products produced and disseminated to the
homeland security enterprise within targeted
timeframes (AO)
Percent of significant Homeland Security
Investigation cases that result in a disruption
or dismantlement (ICE)
Percent of protectees that arrive and depart
safely (USSS)
Percent of containerized cargo conveyances
that pass through radiation portal monitors at
sea ports of entry (CWMD)
Planned Targets
FY
FY
2020
2021
Objective
FY
2019
1.1
90%
90%
90%
90%
1.2
15.9%
16.1%
16.2%
16.3%
1.3
100%
100%
100%
100%
1.4
FOUO
FOUO
FOUO
FOUO
68
FY
2022
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal 2: Secure U.S. Borders and Approaches
Highlighted Performance Measures
Rate of interdiction effectiveness along the
Southwest Border between ports of entry
(CBP)
Migrant interdiction effectiveness in the
maritime environment (USCG)
Removal rate for cocaine from noncommercial vessels in the maritime transit
zone (USCG)
Number of joint operations conducted along
the Southwest Border by Border Patrol
Agents and Mexican law enforcement
partners (CBP)
Total number of illegal immigrants who were
returned or removed from the U.S. (ICE)
Percent of applications for citizenship and
immigration benefits not approved following
a potential finding of fraud
Planned Targets
FY
FY
2020
2021
Objective
FY
2019
2.1
81%
81%
81%
81%
2.1
75%
75%
75%
75%
2.1
10%
10%
10%
10%
2.2
20
20
20
20
2.3
238,000
238,000
238,000
238,000
2.4
90%
90%
90%
90%
FY
2022
Goal 3: Secure Cyberspace and Critical Infrastructure
Highlighted Performance Measures
Percent of significant (critical and high)
vulnerabilities identified by DHS cyber
hygiene scanning of federal networks that are
mitigated within the designated timeline
(CISA)
Percent of Critical Infrastructure customers
reporting implementation of at least one
recommendation following a DHS
cybersecurity assessment (CISA)
Percent of facilities that are likely to integrate
vulnerability assessment or survey
information into security and resilience
enhancements (CISA)
Number of law enforcement individuals
training in cyber c rime and cyber forensics
both domestically and overseas (USSS)
Planned Targets
FY
FY
2020
2021
Objective
FY
2019
3.1
70%
75%
90%
90%
3.2
85%
87%
90%
90%
3.3
85%
85%
85%
85%
3.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
69
FY
2022
THE 2020-2024 DHS STRATEGIC PLAN
Goal 4: Preserve and Uphold the Nation’s Prosperity and Economic
Security
Highlighted Performance Measures
Percent of imports compliant with U.S. trade
laws (CBP)
Percent of passenger data submissions that
successfully undergo Secure Flight watch list
matchings (TSA)
Number of breaches at high-risk maritime
facilities (USCG)
Percent of people in imminent danger saved in
the maritime environment (USCG)
Amount of cyber-financial crime loss
prevented (in billions) (USSS)
Planned Targets
FY
FY
2020
2021
Objective
FY
2019
4.1
97.5%
97.5%
97.5%
97.5%
4.2
100%
100%
100%
100%
4.3
307
307
306
305
4.3
80%
80%
80%
80%
4.4
$4.50
$3.50
$4.50
$5.00
FY
2022
Goal 5: Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience
Highlighted Performance Measures
Total national investment in mitigation (in
billions) (FEMA)
Percent of shipments for required lifesustaining commodities (meals, water, tarps,
plastic sheeting, cots, blankets, and
generators) and key initial response resources
delivered by the agreed upon date (FEMA)
Percent of Public Assistance project
obligations completed within targeted
timeframes (FEMA)
Operational readiness rating of FEMA’s
specialized incident workforce cadres
(FEMA)
Planned Targets
FY
FY
2020
2021
Objective
FY
2019
5.1
$1.66
$2.00
$2.40
$3.96
5.2
95%
95%
95%
95%
5.3
68%
72%
74%
75%
5.4
68%
70%
72%
75%
70
FY
2022
| File Type | application/pdf |
| File Title | The DHS Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024.pdf |
| Author | kcrosby |
| File Modified | 2021-03-11 |
| File Created | 2021-03-11 |