Protection Mission Area

Definition of Mission Area:

Protection includes capabilities to safeguard the homeland against acts of terrorism and man-made or natural disasters. It is focused on action to protect the citizens, residents, visitors, and critical assets, systems, and networks against the greatest risk to our Nation in a manner that allows our interests, aspirations, and way of life to thrive.

Planning Core Capability Target:

  1. Develop protection plans that identify critical objectives based on planning requirements, provide a complete and integrated picture of the sequence and scope of the tasks to achieve the planning objectives, and implement planning requirements within the timeframe contemplated in the plan using available resources for protection-related plans.
  2. Implement, exercise, and maintain plans to ensure continuity of operations (COOP).

Planning Considerations:

  1. The Protection core capabilities are achieved through specific mission activities. In planning for the Protection Mission Area, it is important to keep in mind these mission activities, which include, but are not limited to:
    • Critical infrastructure protection
    • Cybersecurity
    • Border security
    • Immigration security
    • Protection of key leadership & events 
    • Maritime security
    • Transportation security
    • Defense of agriculture and food
    • Defense against weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
    • Health security
  1. Protection is the ability to safeguard the homeland against acts of terrorism as well as human-caused or natural disasters.
  2. When writing protection plans, take into account COOP.
  3. Prevention and Protection actions, including planning, occur prior to, during, and after an incident.

Other Core Capabilities:

In addition to planning, the other core capabilities of the protection mission area are:

  • Public Information and Warning ##Operational Coordination
  • Access Control and Identity Verification
  • Cybersecurity
  • Intelligence and Information Sharing
  • Interdiction and Disruption
  • Physical Protective Measures
  • Risk Management for Protection Programs and Activities
  • Screening, Search, and Detection
  • Supply Chain Integrity and Security

For additional information on each of these core capabilities, review the National Preparedness Goal available on the resources page.