Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a cabinet-level federal agency responsible for protecting the United States from a wide range of threats, including cybercrime, terrorism, natural disasters, and risks to critical infrastructure. Established in 2002, the DHS brings together multiple legacy agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under a unified mandate to safeguard public safety while supporting economic stability and national resilience from external threats. Its work spans border security, emergency management, immigration services, and the protection of physical and digital assets that underpin government and private sector operations. DHS also collaborates closely with state administrative agency partners to ensure consistent security practices across all levels of government.

DHS also develops programs with the intent of strengthening national cybersecurity capabilities. Through initiatives such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS develops guidance, frameworks, and operational support to help organizations protect against, identify, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. These DHS programs are designed to address growing risks to government systems, election infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, and other critical services that depend on secure access to data and technology, while also enabling related local level organizations to have the resources they need. By coordinating threat intelligence and promoting best practices, DHS plays a key role in enhancing cybersecurity nationwide.

Another initiative of the DHS are grants, which are key to enabling cybersecurity improvements at the state and local levels. Funding programs administered or supported by DHS help smaller local organizations modernize systems, enhance identity and access controls, and improve incident response readiness for the groups and people they serve. These DHS grants often prioritize risk-based planning, compliance with federal security standards, and defining measurable outcomes that reduce exposure to cyber threats. State administrative agency recipients are typically responsible for distributing funds, overseeing implementation, and ensuring that investments align with broader public safety and cybersecurity goals.

Through its operational responsibilities and funding initiatives, DHS reinforces the importance of regulatory requirements and compliance for security best practices. This includes recommending established cybersecurity frameworks, continuous risk assessment, and protecting sensitive data accessed by employees, contractors, and partners.

Imprivata supports state and local government organizations by helping them meet regulatory requirements and maintain compliance through secure identity and access management. Imprivata state and local government solutions are designed to strengthen cybersecurity controls, reduce operational risk, and support the objectives advanced by DHS programs and DHS grants to enhance cybersecurity across critical access points and devices.