The Quadrennial Homeland Security Review has been released by the Department of Homeland Security, outlining a strategy to proactively address the evolving threats.
The QHSR, which functions as the primary strategic document of the department, evaluates the transformations that have taken place in homeland security since its establishment more than 20 years ago, in addition to the notable changes in the threats and obstacles confronting the country since the last report was issued more than a decade ago, according to an April 20 news release.
“Twenty years after its formation, the Department of Homeland Security is more fit for purpose than ever before to meet the challenges we face now and will face in the future," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in the release.
The new strategy involves utilizing new technologies such as artificial intelligence and modernizing the department to provide the necessary tools to carry out its mission, the release reported.
"The QHSR helps Congress and the American public understand the evolving threats we face and our approach to addressing them," Mayorkas said. "That approach includes leveraging emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and modernizing the department to ensure our personnel have the tools they need to deliver on our vital mission.”
These challenges include global migration patterns, human trafficking, domestic violent extremism, strategic nation-state competition, a range of cyber threats, the impact of climate change, emerging infectious diseases and transnational organized crime, according to the release.
Mayorkas said criminal organizations abuse new technology to orchestrate more crime and they continue to create more challenges, the release reported.
“Increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal organizations, the misuse of new technologies, economic instability and other forces are fueling an alarming increase in human trafficking, child exploitation and labor exploitation that must be stopped," Mayorkas said in the release.
Therefore, a new homeland security mission has been added to the current QHSR, along with the five enduring missions that focus on countering terrorism, the release said.
"Through updated policies, targeted operations and by leveraging cutting-edge technology, we are targeting those who seek to exploit the vulnerable and identifying and rescuing victims,” Mayorkas said in the release.
The QHSR has introduced a new homeland security mission, in addition to the five missions outlined in the previous two QHSRs, the release said. The five primary and long-lasting missions revolved around preventing and fighting against terrorism, securing and managing the borders, managing the country's immigration system, ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure and cyberspace and constructing a strong and responsive nation.
The latest QHSR presents a novel homeland security task for the first time to combat exploitation crimes and protect victims, numbered as the sixth mission, according to the release.
