Homeland Secretary: U.S. To Roll Out New Terror Alert System

The program replaced the Homeland Security Advisory System, which was created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist assaults and used different colors as codes to indicate the risk of another attack.

In the wake of the complex threat posed by domestic terrorists, like those in San Bernardino and Paris, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said DHS will announce modifications to the National Terrorism Advisory System.

Either way, Addicott said you may or may not ever really realize there might be an “imminent” or “elevated threat”.

At an event hosted by Defense One magazine in Washington D.C. Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the change is needed to better inform Americans about the country’s security posture.

Since the Paris attacks, a number of Republican presidential contenders have proposed restrictions on Syrian refugees – with several suggesting preference for Christians seeking asylum – and tighter surveillance in the U.S.

Trump’s proposal comes a day after President Barack Obama spoke to the nation from the Oval Office about the shootings in San Bernardino, California, which Obama said was “an act of terrorism created to kill innocent people”.

“I only remember one or two times hearing “yellow” and it made me alert at the moment”, said Kristie Strickland, who remembers the old system. It really called for a very specific and credible threat that had to be established before something rose to the level of going to the NTAS.

The FBI is investigating whether the shooting suspects Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were inspired by ISIS to carry out the attacks that killed 14 people attending a holiday party.

“We need a system that adequately informs the public at large, not through news leaks of joint intelligence bulletins to law enforcement, not through leaks from anonymous government officials”, said Johnson.

But Jack Tomarchio, who runs the national security consulting firm Agoge Group in Wayne, says he’s concerned that changes could further muddle things.

Johnson said the United States has moved into a “new phase” in the global terrorist threat and requires an alert system that can respond appropriately. Obama also vowed to destroy the Islamic State group.

Before NTAS, DHS used a color-coded terror alert system, which critics called confusing and vague.