Homeland Security Advisory System

Current Threat Level

February 9, 2010

• The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow.
• For all domestic and international flights, the U.S. threat level is High, or Orange. See the Transportation Security Administration for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines.

Back To Top

Northwest Flight 253 and New Airport Security Measures

On Dec. 25, 2009, an individual on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 set off a device and was subdued by passengers and crew. As a result of this incident, TSA has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners to put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong.

Statement by Secretary Janet Napolitano

More Information

• Nigerian National Charged with Attempting to Destroy Northwest Airlines Aircraft (Justice.gov)
• Travel Tips (TSA) - helps you get through airport security quicker
• Security Technologies (TSA) - current screening technology
• Innovation and Technology (TSA) - emerging screening technology.
• Watch lists from the Terrorist Screening Center (FBI) - the "no-fly" list is a subset of the Terrorism Screening Center Database maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center

Back To Top

Recommended Activities

• Everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves and their family, and stay informed about what to do during an emergency.
• All Americans should continue to be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately.

Back To Top

About the Homeland Security Advisory System

The Homeland Security Advisory System is designed to guide our protective measures when specific information to a particular sector or geographic region is received.  It combines threat information with vulnerability assessments and provides communications to public safety officials and the public.  

• Homeland Security Threat Advisories contain actionable information about an incident involving, or a threat targeting, critical national networks or infrastructures or key assets.
• Homeland Security Information Bulletins communicate information of interest to the nation’s critical infrastructures that do not meet the timeliness, specificity, or significance thresholds of warning messages.
• Color-coded Threat Level System is used to communicate with public safety officials and the public at-large through a threat-based, color-coded system so that protective measures can be implemented to reduce the likelihood or impact of an attack.

This system was established in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3.

Back To Top