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Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
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Bombing Prevention

A whole-of-government approach will best position the US to discover plots to use IEDs in the US or against US persons abroad before the threats become imminent.

Physical Security

  • Active Shooter Preparedness
  • Bombing Prevention
  • Insider Threat Mitigation
  • Non-Confrontational Techniques
  • Protecting Houses of Worship
  • School Safety
  • Securing Public Gatherings
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems
  • Vehicle Ramming Mitigation

Overview 

One of CISA’s greatest responsibilities is providing for the safety and security of our citizens, allies, and partners while providing an economic environment that promotes opportunity and prosperity. The use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) threatens these interests by killing, injuring, and intimidating citizens and political leaders around the world, inflicting damage on U.S. forces on the battlefield, and disrupting transportation and the flow of commerce. The terrorists and criminals responsible for these attacks are resilient, technologically adept, and adaptable. They employ the most recent and successful tactics, techniques, and procedures gained from experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. The use of IEDs worldwide has increased in recent years, with the number of attacks exceeding 7,000 in 2021.

IEDs remain one of the most accessible weapons available to terrorists and criminals to damage critical infrastructure and inflict casualties. The tactics used in IED attacks continue to evolve as our adversaries seek to overcome countermeasures. We must continue to challenge ourselves and each other to be more effective against these threats as we work together to reach our shared national interests of safety, security, and prosperity. The threat from IED use will continue to evolve in response to our abilities to counter them. A whole-of-government approach that incorporates the lessons learned from the state, local, tribal, territorial, private sector, and international community in Counter-IED (C-IED) activities will best position the US to discover plots to use IEDs in the US or against US persons abroad before those threats become imminent. 

CISA’s Role  

To reduce risk to the nation’s critical infrastructure, the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) employs several programs and develops and delivers a diverse curriculum of training and awareness products to build nationwide C-IED core capabilities and to enhance awareness of terrorist threats. CISA’s OBP seeks to enhance the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate the use of explosives against critical infrastructure, the private sector, and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities. 

Coordinated through state homeland security officials and training offices, OBP courses educate on strategies to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial participants include municipal officials and emergency managers, state and local law enforcement and other emergency services, critical infrastructure owners and operators, security staff, and public and private sector partners. 

Featured Content

Security and Resiliency Guide (SRG)

The Security and Resiliency Guide and Annexes are intended to assist stakeholders to plan and implement C-IED activities within their overall public safety and emergency management approach. 

Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) Portal

TRIPwire is the Department of Homeland Security's collaborative information-sharing and resource portal. 

What to Do - Bomb Threat

The guidance and resources on this page outline in-depth procedures for either bomb threats or suspicious items and will help you prepare and react appropriately during these events.

Featured Videos

CISA’s Critical Resources for Handling Bomb Threats

What to Do: Bomb Threat

What to Do: Suspicious or Unattended Item

What to Do: Bomb Searches

What to Do: Surviving a Bombing Attack

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance is the access point for bombing prevention suite of training, tools, products, services and resources.

BMAP program teaser

Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP)

BMAP is a counter-terrorism risk management bombing prevention program. BMAP focuses on restricting access by malicious actors to explosive precursor chemicals, powders, target materials, associated components, and delivery methods.
Operation Flashpoint Logo

Operation Flashpoint Program

Operation Flashpoint is a CISA-FBI partnership designed to promote voluntary reporting of suspicious activity through outreach and awareness to private sector and public safety stakeholders in order to prevent acquisition of explosive precursor chemicals for nefarious use.
INCREASE YOUR RESILIENCE, SHARED SERVICE, SHARE INFORMATION, ASSESS YOUR RISK LEVEL, DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS

Explosive Blast Modeling (EBM) Assessment

EBM assessments use current blast modeling technologies and tools to provide a physics-based, 3D-model used for anti-terrorism and force protection against IED attacks.
INCREASE YOUR RESILIENCE, SHARED SERVICE, RESPOND TO AN INCIDENT, SHARE INFORMATION, ASSESS YOUR RISK LEVEL, DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS, OTHER

Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Capability Assessments (CCA)

CCA assessments evaluate and analyze public safety agencies and entities in a methodological assessment process. The assessment determines the specific capabilities and activities to best address IED risks and resources gaps found during the assessment process.

Training

Bombing prevention training is available through multiple platforms: direct delivery in-person in a classroom or in-residence at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), online through a Virtual Instructor-led Training (VILT) platform, and through Independent Study Training (IST).

OBP Training
Training icon for Virtual-Instructor-Led Training course

Bomb Threat Assessment for Decision Makers Course (AWR-945)

COURSE | VIRTUAL/ONLINE
The Bomb Threat Assessment for Decision Makers Course introduces the participant to types of threats, the threat assessment process, and the implementation of a Bomb Threat Management (BTM) plan.
Register
Training icon for in-person training course

Bombing Prevention Awareness Course (AWR-348)

COURSE | IN-PERSON
The Bombing Prevention Awareness Course (AWR-348) provides participants knowledge of general bombing prevention measures that aid in mitigating the impact of a bombing incident.
Request Training
Training icon for in-person training course

Surveillance Detection for Bombing Prevention Course (PER-346)

COURSE | IN-PERSON
The Surveillance Detection for Bombing Prevention (SDBP) course (PER-346) provides public safety and security professionals fundamental knowledge and skills to recognize and respond appropriately to hostile surveillance at facilities and planned and unplanned events.
Request Training
Training icon for Independent Study Training course

Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response Course (AWR-903)

INDEPENDENT STUDY (ON-DEMAND) | VIRTUAL/ONLINE
The Bomb Threat Preparedness and Response Course (AWR-903) provides participants with interactive exercises and case histories of what actually happened during bombing incidents to familiarize participants with the steps necessary to prepare for and respond to a bomb threat.
Register
OBP Training

Resources

Bombing prevention products/resources—including cards, posters, checklists, guides, videos, briefings, and applications—provide C-IED  awareness information to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents.

OBP Products
An illustration that says TRIPwire

Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire) Portal

SERVICE
TRIPwire is DHS' online, collaborative information-sharing and resource portal for bomb squads, emergency responders, military personnel, government officials, intelligence analysts, private sector security professionals, and critical infrastructure owners and operators.
Book Icon

Security and Resiliency Guide (SRG) and Annexes

PUBLICATION
The SRG and annexes are intended to assist stakeholders to plan and implement C-IED activities within their overall public safety and emergency management approach.
View Files
Book Icon

Bomb Threat Guide

PUBLICATION
The Bomb Threat Guide provides awareness and guidance in preparing for and reacting to a bomb threat. It assists decision makers with assessment of received bomb threats, providing response guidance to save lives and protect critical infrastructure.
Download File (PDF, 7.86 MB)
One Page Icon

DHS Bomb Threat Checklist

PUBLICATION
The DHS Bomb Threat Checklist provides instructions on how to respond to a bomb threat and a comprehensive list of information that will assist law enforcement in a bomb threat investigation.
Download File (PDF, 245.56 KB)
OBP Products

Articles

Image of the Security and Resilience Guide Book
Dec 02, 2022
Blog

How to Use the Security and Resiliency Guide

A photo of an emergency phone worker
Dec 02, 2022
Blog

What to Do - Bomb Threat

Contact

To report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.

Please contact your local Protective Security Advisor (PSA) or send an email to the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@cisa.dhs.gov for additional information about OBP products and programs, or to schedule a training session or a planning workshop.

Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping our nation safe. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our nation—"If You See Something, Say SomethingTM."

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