Bellavita (2008) provides a detailed account of what homeland security is and should be. The author addresses almost all aspects of the matter and manages to explain the peculiarities of effective homeland security measures. The focus is on terrorism, but Bellavita (2008) adds that all hazards and potential outcomes should be addressed, including diverse terrorist attacks, natural disasters, man-made catastrophes, climate change, and others. The author also pays attention to social aspects, which turn out to be still relevant and even rather urgent.
The Black Lives Matter movement, as well as the latest events involving Capitol attack, do have a considerable impact on the national security, so it is critical to ensure the availability of a plan to address such challenges. The jurisdictional domain is another important topic to focus on when considering homeland security. Officials at all levels (federal, state, county, and so on) should have appropriate plans relevant to the issues they may encounter. It is impossible to predict and prevent or even mitigate the effects of all the hazards, as Bellavita (2008) puts it. However, general and evidence-based guidelines should be developed and made available to the corresponding officials and institutions.
Although Bellavita (2008) discusses the domains and provides definitions that are relevant today, the researcher misses a large and critical aspect. Bellavita (2008) does not pay the necessary attention to the digital sphere. The digitalization of the United States is the basis of the country’s progress and leading position, but it is also a serious challenge. Many spheres of the country’s and every American’s life are vulnerable, which has been clear after numerous attacks. Hackers can cause substantial damage to the country’s infrastructure, its financial and economic, as well as political stability. Therefore, it is vital to pay specific attention to the cybersecurity of the United States. The lack of this area among the definitions provided by Bellavita (2008), is the only but critical flaw of his paper.
Reference
Bellavita, C. (2008). Changing homeland security: What is homeland security? Homeland Security Affairs, 4(2), 1–30.