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THE NATIONAL TERRORISM ADVISORY SYSTEM (NTAS)

As of April 20, 2011 Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) - a terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color coded alert system.  This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing more timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. 

NTAS alerts will include a clear statement on the nature of the threat, which will be defined in one of two ways:

Elevated Threat:  Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States.

Imminent Threat:  Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States

Depending on the nature of the threat, alerts may be sent to law enforcement, distributed to affected areas of the private sector, or issued more broadly to the public through both official and social media channels.  NTAS alerts and posters will be displayed in places suc as transit hubs, airports and government buildings.

NTAS Alerts contain a sunset provision indicating  a specific date when the alert expires- there will not be a constant NTAS Alert or blanket warning that ther is an overarching threat.  If threat information chnages for an alert, the Secretary of Homeland Security may announce an updated NTAS alert.  All changes, including the announcement that cances an NTAS Alert, will be distributed the same way as the original alert. 

DHS encourages citizens to follow NTAS Alerts for information abouth threats and take an active role in security by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities through the "If You See Something, Say Something" public awareness campaign.