Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR)

Success of the National Dialogues on the QHSR

The participation in the national dialogues was a success with both broad and deep representation from other federal agencies, state, local, tribal governments, law enforcement professionals, first responders, academic institutions, and the business community. From July 16 through October 4, 2009, thousands of stakeholders and partners from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia participated in the National Dialogue on homeland security. All homeland security partners and stakeholders were invited to register, log on, and participate at any stage of the National Dialogue on the QHSR. Everyone was encouraged to view, prioritize, and comment on proposals made by QHSR study groups and other participants, suggest their own ideas and proposals in six different study areas, and tag comments and ideas that were important to them.

First Dialogue: August 3-9
The first dialogue session presented the initial output generated by six QHSR study groups. Over 7,000 people joined in the conversation about homeland security. This engagement from a wide variety of homeland security stakeholders provided hundreds of comments to the QHSR Study Groups. This invaluable input is assisting them as they continue to develop their recommendations. See the archived results at http://www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org/dialogue1.

Second Dialogue: August 31-September 9
Over 11,000 people including homeland security stakeholders and community partners participated in the second dialogue. The second dialogue asked to prioritize and comment on proposed strategic objectives (what we want to achieve) for the homeland security missions and to discuss what must be done to achieve the objectives. See the archived results at http://www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org/dialogue2.

Third Dialogue: September 28-October 4
The third dialogue asked participants to do a final review of the QHSR study group content including the vision, mission, goals, objectives, and key strategic outcomes from the mission studies on Borders, Counterterrorism, Immigration, and Disasters, as well as the proposed findings and recommendations on Risk Assessment. More than 3,500 people participated in the third dialogue. See the archived results at http://www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org/dialogue3.

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What is the QHSR?

The Department of Homeland Security is conducting the first Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR). This congressionally mandated, top-to-bottom review of homeland security will guide the Department for the next four years and inform the nation’s homeland security policies, programs, and missions. The Secretary will provide her conclusions from the comprehensive review to Congress in a final report by December 31, 2009.

The QHSR includes five principal study areas, based on the Department’s responsibilities:

• Counterterrorism and Domestic Security Management: This study area includes transportation system security, critical infrastructure/key resource protection, cybersecurity, domestic WMD/CBRN protection, and protection of leadership and visiting heads of state.
• Securing our Borders: This study area includes facilitating lawful flow of people and goods in and out of our ports of entry (air, land, and sea) and securing our borders and approaches (air, land, and sea) against smuggling and trafficking.
• Smart and Tough Enforcement of Immigration Laws: This study area includes administering the lawful immigration system, preventing entry of dangerous people and pursuing smart and tough enforcement.
• Preparing for, Responding to, and Recovering from Disasters: This study area includes emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, continuity of operations/continuity of government, and individual and community preparedness.
• Maturing and Unifying the Department of Homeland Security. This study area includes three separate studies:
  • Department of Homeland Security Strategic Management
  • Homeland Security National Risk Assessment
  • Homeland Security Planning and Capabilities

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Secretary Janet Napolitano QHSR Video Message

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