**GAO-11-940T**                      Published: Sep 08, 2011. Publicly Released: Sep 08, 2011.                  

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## Highlights

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led to profound changes in government agendas, policies and structures to confront homeland security threats facing the nation. Most notably, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began operations in 2003 with key missions that included preventing terrorist attacks from occurring in the United States, reducing the country's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimizing the damages from any attacks that may occur. DHS is now the third-largest federal department, with more than 200,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $50 billion. Since 2003, GAO has issued over 1,000 products on DHS's operations in such areas as transportation security and emergency management, among others. As requested, this testimony addresses DHS's progress and challenges in implementing its homeland security missions since it began operations, and issues affecting implementation efforts. This testimony is based on a report GAO issued in September 2011, which assessed DHS's progress in implementing its homeland security functions and work remaining.

## Full Report

Highlights

Full Report (31 pages)

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## GAO Contacts

Cathleen A. Berrick
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## Office of Public Affairs

Sarah Kaczmarek
kaczmareks@gao.gov

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Agency missionsAviation securityBioterrorismBorder securityCombating terrorismComprehensive emergency managementCounterterrorismCyber securityEmergency preparednessEmergency preparedness programsEmergency responseFederal agency reorganizationGeneral management reviewsHomeland securityImmigrationMaritime securityNational defense operationsProgram evaluationProgram managementRisk managementSecurity assessmentsSecurity threatsStrategic planningTerrorismTransportation securityAgency organizational structureAssessmentsPolicies and proceduresProgram implementation