Risk assessment and the homeland security enterprise

Abstract

Homeland security attempts to manage a wide array of problems from natural disasters, to terrorism, and from climate change to aging infrastructure. The dynamism and complexity of the homeland security environment requires the use of a variety of risk frameworks, models and theoretical applications to effectively assess both current and future threats, risks and vulnerabilities; making risk assessment a clear pillar of homeland security. The primary goal to mitigate losses, including the loss of human life, remains the utmost priority within all homeland security risk assessment scenarios. Wicked problems, or complex problems that are not easily defined, pose significant challenges in thoroughly examining and evaluating the homeland security risk environment. Risk management tools can provide a practical means to assess risks on a continuum of unlikely through highly likely. The homeland security enterprise depends on a robust understanding of risk and risk assessment and risk management.