Since the attacks of September 11, all levels of American government, as well as the private sector, have taken steps to join together and focus efforts toward achieving the homeland security imperative. This effort must be unified and united by a common set of attributes, which include: (1) Vigilance in staying aware of the threat and committing the resources and the effort needed to address vulnerabilities and secure the Nation and its citizenry, environment, and infrastructure; (2) The ability to rapidly mobilize the necessary components of the American government, the private sector and the non-profit community to respond to incidents, pursue those who would commit acts of terror and their sponsors, and organize to protect the homeland; (3) The resilience to absorb and bounce back from the consequences of an incident and to allow for the continuity of the Nation's way of life and economy. These attributes were crucial in the early days after September 11th, and they remain crucial as the Nation continues to engage in a global conflict with radical Islamic jihadists that embrace the use of terrorist techniques to threaten the security of the Nation. Those attributes are equally relevant in meeting the challenges presented by other potential terrorists as well as natural disasters, and manmade accidents (including pandemics) that threaten homeland security. (DHS, The Homeland Security Challenge, Chapter 1, DHS Pub 1, Feb 2008 Draft, pp. 1-2)