The basic job of a homeland security specialist is to develop, monitor, and evaluate different types of emergency preparedness programs. These programs are designed to deal with threats including border violations, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. The duties of a homeland security specialist are performed in accordance with guidelines set forth by the United Sates Department of Homeland Security.
A homeland security specialist must fully understand the rules, regulations, laws and policies of the United States government. These security experts may be employed by either a government agency or a private company.
In the United States, homeland security has become a top priority in recent years, and it's estimated that there are more than 1 million homeland security specialists employed in the United States. These specialists spend part of their time researching, analyzing, and developing resourceful new security techniques to make them better able to perform their duties in the event of an emergency situation. A homeland security specialist is also responsible for analyzing intelligence data in order to detect or deter any potential threats to the homeland.
In the private sector, homeland security specialists are not only responsible for protecting sensitive data, but also the systems that transfer this data from place-to-place. They must have a good understanding of computer systems in order to securely manage the storage and transfer of vitally important information. A homeland security specialist also plans and implements emergency measures to reestablish necessary business activities in the event of a natural disaster or other disruption of services.
In the government sector, Homeland Security specialists are responsible for safeguarding the basic infrastructure of a community such as transportation, public health, communication, banking, and utilities. Specialists in this field develop and implement procedures to make a community’s infrastructure less vulnerable to natural disasters or terrorist activities. If a breakdown of any of these systems does occur, a homeland security specialist must execute the necessary procedures to restore its functionality.
Many homeland security specialists are utilized in certain types of law enforcement. A homeland security specialist who is trained in law enforcement helps to maintain order, enforce laws, patrol secured areas, and apprehend persons involved in prohibited activities. These homeland security specialists are primarily responsible for the security of United States airports, seaports, and borders in order to prevent dangerous materials from entering the country. These types of specialists are used in airports to screen not only passengers but freight as well.