Homeland Security: An Introduction

Homeland Security: An Introduction delivers a comprehensive, systematic introduction to homeland security today, including its conceptual foundations, legal underpinnings, historical evolution, constituent federal agencies, emerging technologies, and linkages to businesses, non-profits, civic groups, and individual citizens.

The book emphasizes three paradigm shifts in homeland security: the new role of so-called “big data” analytics for risk assessment in homeland security decision-making; emerging understandings of the “homeland security enterprise,” a term used by practitioners to describe whole-of-government efforts to manage natural and man-made threats; and the growing recognition of how international affairs can influence and shape domestic security considerations.

Advance praise for Homeland Security: An Introduction:

Homeland Security: An Introduction provides clarity about the United States’ homeland security enterprise from the founding of the country to 9/11 and beyond. Givens, Busch, and Bersin contribute their insight and expertise to capture impressively the history and purpose of national security as it has now evolved to encompass both foreign and domestic affairs. The authors successfully furnish an illuminating introductory text to the field of homeland security for students and citizens alike. The result is a striking, important addition to the literature regarding the status and challenges of homeland security, including its means and methods of prevention, response, recovery and resilience.”

-Juliette Kayyem, The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University

Homeland Security: An Introduction is an extensively researched, clearly written, and forward-looking contribution to the collection of second-generation homeland security texts. The authors write with both academic and experiential gravitas. They do not shy away from narrative or from using theory to inform an understanding of their stories. They introduce theoretical frameworks I have not encountered elsewhere. Their book is a smart, compelling read and introduction to the field.”

-Christopher Bellavita, Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security

“It includes current issues, like the recent OPM data breach and how cybersecurity has been a shifted focus for homeland security efforts. This text provides the unique perspectives of those in academia studying issues in homeland security, as well as the perspective of a seasoned career practitioner in this field in the public sector.”

-Ryan Schwoebel, University of Alabama, Birmingham

Homeland Security: An Introduction, provides an important overview of numerous issues homeland security professionals face every day. The authors deserve great credit for striking the right balance between operational storytelling and policy, network, and organizational theories. For serious students who are prepared to immerse themselves in the field, this textbook will be a go-to source of information and inspiration.”

-Robert Griffin, founding dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, State University of New York at Albany