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Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces complex challenges in preventing terrorism, managing U.S. borders, enforcing and administering immigration laws, safeguarding cyberspace, and strengthening national preparedness and resilience. To help address these challenges, RAND operates the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) for DHS. HSOAC is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that conducts studies and analysis for federal sponsors.

Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center

HSOAC analyses focus on seven functional areas that cut across DHS mission categories

Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered, the Coast Guard's fourth Sentinel Class patrol boat

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Barney/U.S. Coast Guard

Acquisition and Development

  • Acquisition studies
  • R&D studies
  • Innovation and technology acceleration
The oath of citizenship is recited at a naturalization ceremony in Atlanta on November 28, 2011.

Photo by National Archives at Atlanta

Strategy, Policy, and Operations

  • Organizational studies
  • Regulatory, doctrine, and policy studies
  • Operational analysis
A pair of Customs and Border Protection UAS aircraft located at the southern border are standing by to air operations.

Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Security Studies

  • Homeland security threat and opportunity studies
Explore RAND's work on Homeland Security issues »

HSOAC Leadership

HSOAC is housed within the RAND Homeland Security Research Division.

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