Homeland Security

 

Homeland Security is officially defined as a "concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur."  The complex and essential nature of this effort is generating many, varied government web pages, reports, indexes, and databases.  This guide gathers and organizes this growing body of information on the history, current trends and issues relating to homeland security so that it will always be useful and accessible.

 

| Find Books | Find Journal Articles | Internet Sites | Government Documents | Law and Legislation | Massachusetts |

 

Find Books

 

Library Catalog

Keyword and/or Subject searches locate books on homeland security topics in the Library's general collection, the Science Library, and Government Documents Collection.  

 

Marcive Web DOCS  (Marcive, Inc.)

Online catalog of all federal government documents cataloged by the Government Printing Office (GPO) from 1976 to the present. Available to all users from the Library's public terminals. Only available off campus to members of the University community through their OIT account.

 

Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications  (GPO Access) 

1994 to present.  Complete listing of all government documents issued through the Government Printing Office. Monthly with annual cumulations.

 

Find Journal Articles

 

Database Locator  (UMass Amherst Library)

Alphabetical listing of all databases for locating journal articles on homeland security.  Also, allows for selection of databases by subject area such as "government information", "business and economics" or "law and political science".  Available to all users from the Library's public terminals. Only available off campus to members of the University community through their OIT account.

 

Homeland Security Affairs: the Journal of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (Vol.1, issue 1 (summer 2005)- )

(Center for Homeland Defense and Security)

"Furthers discussion and debate of important elements of the homeland security system. Provides an outlet for research and debate that addresses the diversity of homeland security issues and challenges."

 

Internet Sites

 

Center for Homeland Defense and Homeland Security Studies  (Air University)

Develops and implements homeland defense research and education.  Includes federal and state resources, law,  plans. and many other resources related to homeland security.

 

GODORT Frequently Used Sites Related to U.S. Federal Government Information - Terrorism: Attacks and Responses  (Heard Library, Vanderbilt University)
Click on section: Homeland Security.  Lists a variety of web sites and documents related to terrorism and homeland security.

 

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports  (Gallerywatch)
CRS is the nonpartisan research government agency that provides authoritative reports and analyses that Congress requests on issues of importance related to policy and legislation. Available to all users from the Library's public terminals. Only available off campus to members of the University community through their OIT account.

 

Homeland Security  (Oklahoma State University)

Federal government web sites and documents on homeland security arranged alphabetically by government agency.

 

Homeland Security (University of Louisville)

Alphabetical listing by subjects related to homeland security.  Includes references to related subject guides such as National Security and Immigration and Refugees.

 

Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL)  (Department of Homeland Security)

As the repository of policy related documents on homeland security, HSDL is an authoritative tool for research in the field of homeland security policy and strategy.

 

Homeland Security Institute

Assists the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in addressing important homeland security issues, particularly those requiring scientific, technical, and analytical expertise. Delivers independent and objective analyses and advice in support of policy development, decision-making, analysis of alternative approaches, and evaluation of new ideas on issues of significance related to homeland security.

 

Homeland Security Issues  (General Accountability Office)

GAO reports and testimony not only on homeland security but also airport and transportation security, disaster preparedness, terrorism, and Iraq. 

 

Infomine: Scholarly Internet Resource Collections  (University of California)

List of government and private web sites and documents arranged by relevancy on homeland security and related topics such a privacy, infrastructure, and secrecy.

 

National Homeland Security Knowledgebase

Includes comprehensive homeland security information resources, news, research and global security issues.  As a private web site it offers information on business related aspects of homeland security.

 

2005 Wiretap Report  (Administrative Office of the United States Courts)

Covers wiretaps during 2005 and provides information on offenses under investigation, location of intercept, cost and arrests and convictions.

 

United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
Website from the Democrats for this committee created in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.  Features press releases and reports on topics such as border security, emergency preparedness, infratstructure protections, and public health.  Includes link to equvalent Republican site. 

 

What Has Homeland Security Cost?  An Assessment: 2001-2005  2007  (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
Analysis of public and private expenditures on homeland security.

 

Government Documents

 

Combating Terrorism: the Role of the American Media  2004  (House. Select Committee on Homeland Security)

(UM/Gov. Docs. Y 4.H 75:108-57)

Hearing on the press and mass media in relation to terrorism, freedom of speech, and national security.

 

Cybersecurity: Getting It Right: Hearing  2003  (House. Select Committee on Homeland Security)

(UM/Gov. Docs. Y 4.H75:108-18)

Hearing on computer and computer systems security and effect on national security.

 

Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation For and the Response to Hurricane Katrina  2006 

(UM/Gov. Docs. Fiche  Y 1.1/8:109-377)

Discusses emergency management and response plans, disaster relief and intergovernmental cooperation related to Hurricane Katrina.

 

Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned  2006 (White House)

(UM/Gov. Docs. PREX 1.2:K 15)

Comprehensive report on federal response to Hurricane Katrina.  Provides historical comparisons, explains how current system was supposed to function, gives a chronology of Hurricane Katrina, describes remedies for fixing the problems, and recommends reforms.

 

Homeland Security: Much Is Being Done to Protect Agriculture from Terrorist Attack, but Important Challenges Remain  2005  (Government Accountability Office)

Government policies on security measures and terrorism prevention for agriculture.

 

Homeland Security: Surveillance on Monitoring of Explosive Storage Facilities  2005  (House. Committee on Government Reform)

(UM/Gov. Docs. Y 4.G 74/7:H 75/22)

Hearing on terrorism prevention in relation to storage and safety measures for explosives.

 

Implementation of the USA Patriot Act: Crime, Terrorism and the Age of Technology: Hearing  2005  (House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security)

Hearing on computer security, prevention of cyberterrorism, civil rights and national security.

 

Legal Authorities Supporting the Activities of the National Security Agency Described by the President  2006  (Department of Justice)

(UM/Gov. Docs. J 1.2:L 52)

A response to the Congressional Research Service report, Presidential Authority to Conduct Warrantless Electronic Surveillance to Gather Foreign Intelligence Information.  The Justice Dept. report argues the legality and propriety of warrantless electronic surveillance.

 

National Defense Strategy of the United States of America   2005  (Department of Defense)

Outlines approaches to dealing with current and future challenges to the defense of the United States.

 

National Military Strategy of the United States of America  2004  (Department of Defense)

Military and defense policies of the U.S. as they relate to national security. "Describes ways and means to protect the U.S., prevent conflict, and surprise attacks, and prevail against adversaries."

 

National Response Plan (NRP)  2005  (Department of Homeland Security)

(UM/ Gov. Docs. HS 1.2:R 31)

Complete report on planning considerations, operations management, and ongoing maintenance for national civil defense and emergency management.

 

National Security Strategy of the United States of America  2006  (White House)

Military and defense policy of the United States as it relates to national security.

 

National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets  2003  (White House)

(UM/Gov. Docs. PR 43.14:P 56)

Sets national goals, provides unifying organization and identifies initiatives for national protection priorities.  Also, establishes a cooperative environment for government, industry and private citizens.

 

National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace  2003  (White House)

"Provides a framework for protecting cyberspace infrastructure that is essential to our economy, security, and way of life."

  

Practice Makes Perfect: Strengthing Homeland Security by Exercising Terrorism Scenarios: hearing  2006  (House. Select Committee on Homeland Security)

(UM/Gov. Docs. Y 4.H 75:108-53)

Hearing on terrorism preparedness, prevention and emergency management.

 

Presidential Authority to Conduct Warrantless Electronic Surveillance to Gather Foreign Intelligence Information  2006  (Congressional Research Service)

Discusses questions raised about the President's authorization of warrantless electronic surveillance.  Reports on Executive Branch positions and challenges from critics, constitutional separation of powers, historical background and current information.

 

Quadrennial Defense Review Report  2006  (Department of Defense)

Reviews defense program, policies, and strategy of the United States.  Includes homeland security, weapons of mass destruction, intelligence and surveillance.

 

Strengthening Border Security between the ports of entry: the Use of Technology to Protect the Borders: joint hearing   2006  (Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship)

(UM/Gov. Docs. Y 4.J 89/2:S.HRG. 109-51)

Hearing on technological innovations related to border security, ports of entry and national security.

 

Laws and Legislation

 

CIS Index Annual Legislative Histories of US Public Laws  (1970-present)  (LexisNexis)

(UM/Gov. Doc. Ref KF 49 C62)

Traces development of a law from introduction as a bill in Congress through its arrival on the President's desk.  Includes histories of all laws related to homeland security.  Includes subject, public law number and bill number indexes.

 

Homeland Security Act of 2002   (Public Law 107-296),  (116 Stat. 2135) 

"Establishes the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes."

 

Homeland Security Statutes   2003  (Government Institutes, ABS Consulting)

Collection of federal security legislation enacted after the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001.

 

LexisNexis Academic: Legal Research  (LexisNexis)

Find law review articles, federal and state laws, federal and other law related search tools.  Available to all users from the Library's public terminals. Only available off campus to members of the University community through their OIT account.

 

Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001  (Public Law 107-56),  (115 Stat. 2339)

"To deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes."

 

Westlaw Campus Research  (Westlaw)

Find law review articles, federal and state laws, federal and other law related search tools.  Available to all users from the Library's public terminals. Only available off campus to members of the University community through their OIT account.

 

Massachusetts

 

Homeland Security and Emergency Response  (Executive Office of Public Safety)

Includes public safety web sites relating to the state security strategy, planning for, responding to, and recovery from disasters and emergencies.

 

Massachusetts Homeland Security Planning Regions  (MassGIS)

Maps of regions used by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for Homeland Security Planning.

 

Massachusetts Public Safety Homeland Security and Energy Response, Massachusetts Homeland Security Region 5  (Massachusetts Homeland Security Region 5)

Strategic plan for community public safety communication network.  Includes other Massachusetts web sites related to homeland security.

 

State Homeland Security Contacts  (National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, Inc.)

Links to homeland security contacts for all states including Massachusetts.

 

Statewide Homeland Security Strategy  (Commonwealth of Massachusetts)

Defines strategic vision, goals, and objectives that will guide the state government working in cooperation with other government entities to respond to terrorism.