The Bigger Picture: U.S. National Security Strategy 2015

The United States' National Security Strategy of 2015 (p. 2) calls for a prioritization of "efforts that address the top strategic risks to our interests:

• Catastrophic attack on the U.S. homeland or critical infrastructure;
• Threats or attacks against U.S. citizens abroad and our allies;
• Global economic crisis or widespread economic slowdown;
• Proliferation and/or use of weapons of mass destruction;
• Severe global infectious disease outbreaks;
• Climate change;
• Major energy market disruptions; and
• Significant security consequences associated with weak or failing states (including mass atrocities,regional spillover, and transnational organized crime)."

In the light of this multifaceted risk environment, the National Security Strategy goes on to emphasize the need to address it in a multifaceted way, focused on resilience when in comes to homeland security, and including fostering a capable national security workforce (p. 3):   

"America’s strategic fundamentals are strong but should not be taken for granted. We must be innovative
and judicious in how we use our resources to build up our national power. Going forward, we will
strengthen our foundation by growing our economy, modernizing our defense, upholding our values,
enhancing the resilience of our homeland, and promoting talent and diversity in our national security
workforce."

Specifically, the National Security Strategy explains that, and how, homeland security needs to be "reinforced," providing examples of how multifaceted approaches could, and should, look like in practice (pp. 8-9): 

• "Our homeland is more secure. But, we must continue to learn and adapt to evolving threats and hazards. We are better able to guard against terrorism—the core responsibility of homeland security—as well as illicit networks and other threats and hazards due to improved information sharing, aviation and border security, and international cooperation. We have emphasized community-based efforts and local law enforcement programs to counter homegrown violent extremism and protect vulnerable individuals from extremist ideologies that could lead them to join conflicts overseas or carry out attacks here at home. Through risk-based approaches, we have countered terrorism and transnational organized crime in ways that enhance commerce, travel, and tourism and, most fundamentally, preserve our civil liberties. We are more responsive and resilient when prevention fails or disaster strikes as witnessed with the Boston Marathon bombings and Hurricane Sandy."
• "The essential services that underpin American society must remain secure and functioning in the face of diverse threats and hazards. Therefore, we take a Whole of Community approach, bringing together all elements of our society—individuals, local communities, the private and non-profit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all levels of government—to make sure America is resilient in the face of adversity."
• "We are working with the owners and operators of our Nation’s critical cyber and physical infrastructure across every sector—financial, energy, transportation, health, information technology, and more—to decrease vulnerabilities and increase resilience. We are partnering with states and local communities to better plan for, absorb, recover from, and adapt to adverse events brought about by the compounding effects of climate change. We will also continue to enhance pandemic preparedness at home and address the threat arising from new drug-resistant microbes and biological agents."