Please Note: The content you will see is the actual work product of the QHSR study groups and participants, it is not final, vetted DHS policy.

Counter Terrorism Vision, Goals, Objectives and Outcomes

Vision: A secure and resilient Nation prepared to counter terrorism and manage other domestic security risks to the homeland in ways that preserve our freedom and prosperity.

Goal 1: Terrorists and other malicious actors are unable to effectively operate within or against the homeland.

Objective 1.1: (Understand the Threat) Acquire, analyze, and appropriately share intelligence and other information on current and emerging threats.

• Outcome 1.1.1: Information and intelligence regarding emerging threats are collected, fused, analyzed and disseminated appropriately and promptly.

• Outcome 1.1.2: Homeland security partners have timely and appropriate threat and risk information.

• Outcome 1.1.3: Homeland security partners use compatible information architecture and data standards to maximize the acquisition, access, retention, production, use, and management of threat and risk information.

Objective 1.2: (Stop the Spread of Violent Extremism) Prevent and counter radicalization and violent extremism

• Outcome 1.2.1: Violent extremist ideologies are marginalized and countered.

• Outcome 1.2.2: The ability of terrorists and other malicious actors to recruit operatives or incite extremist violence is countered.

Objective 1.3: (Counter Capabilities) Counter the capabilities of terrorists, malicious actors, and their support networks to plan and conduct operations.

• Outcome 1.3.1: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to train.

• Outcome 1.3.2: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to acquire weapons and equipment.

• Outcome 1.3.3: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to travel.

• Outcome 1.3.4: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to finance operations.

• Outcome 1.3.5: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to communicate.

• Outcome 1.3.6: Terrorists, other malicious actors, and their support networks are impeded in their ability to access non-public information systems and sensitive data.

Objective 1.4: (Disrupt Operations) Deter, detect, and disrupt or interdict surveillance, rehearsals, and execution of operations by terrorists and other malicious actors.

• Outcome 1.4.1: Surveillance, rehearsals and execution of operations by terrorists and other malicious actors are deterred.

• Outcome 1.4.2: Surveillance, rehearsals and execution of operations by terrorists and other malicious actors are detected.

• Outcome 1.4.3: Surveillance, rehearsals and execution of operations by terrorists and other malicious actors are disrupted or interdicted.

• Outcome 1.4.4: Efforts by terrorist and malicious actors to corrupt systems, breach confidentiality, or deny authorized access are disrupted.

• Outcome 1.4.5: Prompt and appropriate law enforcement and legal action against perpetrators and their support networks mitigate hostile actions.

Objective 1.5: (Build Public Support and Community Awareness) Enhance community participation in efforts to counter terrorists and other malicious actors.

• Outcome 1.5.1: Individuals understand and embrace their role in efforts to counter terrorist and other malicious actors.

• Outcome 1.5.2: Individuals report suspicious activities and are protected from retribution.

• Outcome 1.5.3: Public preparedness and effective warning minimizes fear.

Goal 2: Terrorists and other malicious actors are unable to acquire or move dangerous chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials or capabilities.

Objective 2.1: (Anticipate Emerging Threats) Anticipate emerging and potentially dangerous technologies, expertise, and materials.

• Outcome 2.1.1: Homeland security partners identify and characterize emerging and potentially dangerous technologies, expertise, and materials.

• Outcome 2.1.2: Homeland security partners have timely and appropriate information on emerging and potentially dangerous technologies, expertise, and materials.

Objective 2.2: (Control Access) Terrorists and other malicious actors are unable to gain access to dangerous materials, technologies and expertise.

• Outcome 2.2.1: Access to dangerous materials is limited to legitimate users.

• Outcome 2.2.2: A culture of awareness and responsibility exists within industries that manufacture, store or sell potentially dangerous materials and among experts with knowledge of their use.

• Outcome 2.2.3: The manufacture, storage, or transfer of dangerous materials is protected by physical, personnel, and cyber security measures commensurate with the risks.

Objective 2.3: (Control Movement) Counter the illicit movement of dangerous materials, technologies, and expertise.

• Outcome 2.3.1: The legitimate movement of dangerous materials is secure, accountable, and known to appropriate authorities.

• Outcome 2.3.2: Terrorists and other malicious actors are unable to move dangerous materials into, within, or outside the United States.

Goal 3: Risks to human, physical, and cyber critical infrastructure are managed.

Objective 3.1: (Understand Risks to Critical Infrastructure) Homeland security partners acquire, analyze, and appropriately share information on risks to critical infrastructure.

• Outcome 3.1.1: Homeland security partners provide and receive information and assessments on current and emerging risks in time to carry out their risk management responsibilities.

• Outcome 3.1.2: Homeland security partners have access to the data, tools, and expertise to make informed risk management decisions.

• Outcome 3.1.3: Homeland security partners use compatible information architecture and data standards to maximize the acquisition, access, retention, production, use, and management of threat and risk information.

• Outcome 3.1.4: Risk management decisions made by homeland security partners account for interdependencies across sectors and jurisdictions.

Objective 3.2: (Make Critical Infrastructure Resilient) Enhance the ability of critical systems, networks, and functions to withstand and rapidly recover from damage and disruption and adapt to changing conditions.

• Outcome 3.2.1: Homeland security partners develop, promulgate, and update guidelines, codes, rules, regulations and accepted standards when appropriate, that measurably reduce the risk of damage or disruption to critical functions, networks, and systems.

• Outcome 3.2.2: Critical infrastructure sectors adopt and sector partners meet accepted standards that measurably reduce the risk of disrupting public health and safety, critical government services, and essential economic activities.

• Outcome 3.2.3: Contingency planning at all levels identifies and assesses opportunities to improve the ability to rapidly recover critical services.

• Outcome 3.2.4: Design of new infrastructure and infrastructure improvements anticipate change in the risk environment and incorporate lessons from past events and exercises.

• Outcome 3.2.5: A skilled workforce exists with sufficient capacity and expertise to ensure the integrity of critical infrastructure.  

Objective 3.3: (Protect Critical Infrastructure) Prevent high consequence events by protecting critical infrastructure assets, systems, networks, or functions from attacks or disruption.

• Outcome 3.3.1: Homeland security partners are aware of the characteristics and risk profiles of, and risk management strategies for critical infrastructure.

• Outcome 3.3.2: Measures to control access to critical infrastructure assets, systems, and networks are consistently implemented, upgraded, and enforced.

• Outcome 3.3.3: Government and/or nongovernment protective security measures are implemented, sustained, and surged, as appropriate.

• Outcome 3.3.4: Key government leaders are protected.

• Outcome 3.3.5: Business processes and infrastructure operations are changed or revised and technologies incorporated to reduce the risk of high consequence events.