_Homeland Security: The Essentials, Second Edition_ concisely outlines the risks facing the US today and the structures we have put in place to deal with them. The authors expertly delineate the bedrock principles of preparing for, mitigating, managing, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. From cyberwarfare, to devastating tornadoes, to car bombs, all hazards currently fall within the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, yet the federal role must be closely aligned with the work of partners in the private sector. The book lays a solid foundation for the study of present and future threats to our communities and to national security, also challenging readers to imagine more effective ways to manage these risks. * Highlights and expands on key content from the bestselling book _Introduction to Homeland Security _ * Concisely delineates the bedrock principles of preparing for, mitigating, managing, and recovering from emergencies and disasters * Provides coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing * Explains the border security, immigration, and intelligence functions in detail * Analyzes the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for critical infrastructure protection * Explores the emergence of social media as a tool for reporting on homeland security issues