Yesterday the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released it’s annual report
Fact Sheet: U.S. Department of Homeland Security 9/11 Anniversary Progress and Priorities which begins with the following introduction (emphasis mine):
Since 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made significant progress in protecting the nation from dangerous people and goods, protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure on which our lives and economy depend, strengthening emergency response and unifying department operations. Seven years without an attack on U.S. soil are a testament to this department’s 216,000 employees – and the nation’s first responders and law enforcement officers – who every day put service before self. Since its creation in the aftermath of the tragic events of 9/11, the department has achieved much to protect and secure the United States
What struck me about this report, aside from the solemn occasion it commemorates, was the realization that what all professional security organizations have in common regardless of size, scope or budget is that when we do our job right nothing happens. Our successes go unnoticed but our failures are spectacularly visible.
On this day lets take some time to think about all of those folks whose purpose is to keep our lives as safe as possible and remain unnoticed.
