New Survey from Colorado Technical University and the National Homeland Defense Foundation: Homeland Security Professionals Say U.S. Will Experience a Terrorist Attack Similar to 9/11 within Five Years – But Americans Are Unprepared

While a majority (57 percent) of Homeland Security professionals say America is safer now than it was before the September 11 attacks, 75 percent believe the country will experience a similar terrorist attack in the next five years – and Americans aren’t prepared, according to a recent survey commissioned by the National Homeland Defense Foundation (NHDF) and Colorado Technical University (CTU).

The survey, which was conducted by Kelton Research, revealed that 94 percent of these professionals don’t think Americans know the appropriate steps to take if a terrorist attack were to happen in their hometown.

The full findings will be shared at the 2009 NHDF Homeland Defense, Homeland Security Symposium on Nov. 9-11 in Colorado Springs, Colo., where more than 600 security experts are gathering for the nation’s leading public forum for dialogue on homeland security and homeland defense-related topics.

Among survey findings from professionals within the field:

• Even Homeland Security experts don’t feel safe. More than half of those surveyed (51 percent) do not personally feel safe from a terrorist attack.
• Cyber-terrorism is an emerging threat. When asked which security issues the U.S. should invest more resources in over the next five years, computer networks or the Internet came out on top (58 percent), followed by homegrown or domestic terrorism inside the U.S. or infrastructure (49 percent), and U.S. coastlines and harbors (42 percent).
• Public education needs to be increased. Fewer than three in 10 (27 percent) Homeland Security professionals believe the U.S. is doing a good enough job to educate the public on what to do if the U.S. experiences a terrorist attack.
• Need for more qualified applicants. Only 17 percent of survey respondents believe there are enough qualified job applicants to fill key roles in Homeland Security.

“Since September 11, many aspects of national security have improved, but we still have progress to make in terms of education for the professionals serving our country and in improving communications between government agencies at all levels ,” said Donald E. Addy, NHDF president. “Much more can be done to prepare our nation for attacks, especially as acts and threats of terrorism evolve.”

Homeland Security: Marked Improvement But Room for Growth

Nearly eight in 10 (77 percent) of Homeland Security professionals surveyed believe that the response of federal, state and local governments to a terrorist attack today would be more coordinated than it was in 2001. Moreover, almost three in four (74 percent) feel that communication on Homeland Security matters across all government levels has improved since 9/11.

Although the survey shows greater confidence in government coordination, the following findings suggest areas for improvement:

• Almost nine in ten (87 percent) feel that the field is fragmented, not cohesive, when it comes to communication or collaboration among agencies and departments.
• As for terrorist threats, 58 percent think that Homeland Security in the U.S. is still generally reactive rather than proactive.

“This survey clearly shows we need to do a better job when it comes to helping the public understand how to be prepared should we experience another terrorist attack similar to 9/11,” said Capt. W. Andy Cain, USN (Ret.) a member of the CTU Homeland Security Advisory Board. “Professionals in the industry need preparation as well – in the form of advanced education and training to meet the needs the career will demand in the future.”

More Education Needed, Desired by Homeland Security Professionals

In addition to better public education, the survey also demonstrates a potential need for better education within the field. Seventy-two percent of Homeland Security professionals surveyed think better trained or educated staff would make the most dramatic improvement in America’s Homeland Security. In addition, a majority (71 percent) who don’t already have graduate-level degrees in Homeland Security believe they could advance their own careers with this type of degree.

“This survey reinforces what we have long perceived as a need for advanced degrees in the Homeland Security field,” said Greg Mitchell, president of the CTU Colorado Springs campus. “It is for this reason that we developed both master’s and doctorate degrees in Homeland Security, to provide opportunities for current Homeland Security professionals to advance their career, as well as for those looking to enter this growing field.”

Job Outlook: Opportunities within the Homeland Security Field

Those looking to make a difference with a career in Homeland Security may be well positioned to pursue success, with 69 percent of the Homeland Security professionals surveyed portraying their opinion of the job outlook in Homeland Security in the next five years as excellent or good. The following survey results also speak to their experiences within the field:

• Based on their experiences in the Homeland Security field, an overwhelming majority of the professionals surveyed (89 percent) would recommend a career in the industry to others.
• Almost one in two (47 percent) of those surveyed frequently, if not always, believe they are personally making a difference with their jobs.
• Sixty-three percent of those surveyed feel the public values the services they perform.

For more information about graduate degrees in Homeland Security, visit www.coloradotech.edu/ias. For more information about the NHDF and the upcoming symposium, visit www.nhdf.org.

About Colorado Technical University

Founded in 1965, Colorado Technical University (CTU) provides higher education for today’s career-focused students by teaching applied industry programs and offering students support, flexibility and resources to advance personally and professionally. In addition to degree-track programs at the associate and bachelor's levels, CTU offers master's and doctoral degrees through the CTU Institute for Advanced Studies -- an innovative approach to graduate degrees for career-motivated professionals.

CTU campuses include ground schools in Denver, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Pueblo, Colo.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Kansas City and an internet based division that delivers degree programs 100 percent online. In fact, the award-winning CTU Online Virtual Campus was recognized as “Best of the Best” in the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program. For more information, please visit www.coloradotech.edu.

CTU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more info visit http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or call 312-263-0456. CTU is also a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information visit www.careered.com. CTU does not guarantee employment or salary.

About the National Homeland Defense Foundation

The National Homeland Defense Foundation (NHDF) was established in 2004 as a non-partisan, nonprofit forum and rallying point for our country's response to the presence of terrorism tactics, and preparing and responding to natural disasters around the world.

NHDF’s mission is “Securing the Future of Liberty™” through sharing of technology, innovation, and education. To accomplish this mission, NHDF conducts the nation’s leading public forum at an annual Symposium where experts in government, industry, academia and media converge to discuss, educate and share ideas to help secure our nation.

NHDF hosts an online library for documents and literature focused on homeland defense and security. All of the presentations from 2008’s Emerging Technology Day and Symposium VI are archived in the NHDF Library. Visit www.nhdflibrary.org for more information.

About the Survey

The CTU Homeland Security Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between October 6 and October 28, 2009 using an email invitation and an online survey sent to Americans who work in Homeland Security. The survey had 194 respondents.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results.

In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 7 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.