Office for Bombing Prevention

Overview

The Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) leads the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to implement the National Policy for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (National C-IED Policy) and enhance national security by building public and private capabilities to deter, prevent, and respond to bombing incidents. 

For more information on OBP's programs, trainings, and resources, please visit the Bombing Prevention page. 

Go to bombing Prevention

Mission and Vision 

OBP Mission: Enhance national security by building public and private capabilities to deter, prevent, and respond to bombing incidents.

OBP Vision: A secure and resilient nation free from the fear and effects of bombings.

OBP was created in response to terrorism events, including the bombing events of Lockerbie, Oklahoma City, 9/11, Madrid, and London. Our service is rooted in the fact that bombings continue to threaten the security of our communities, critical infrastructure, and nation. OBP accomplishes its mission through a focused portfolio of integrated Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) capability development programs, supporting four core initiatives:

  • Strategy
  • Technical Assistance
  • Data and Analysis
  • Training
Strategy

OBP has a leading role in implementing the National Countering Improvised Explosive Devices Policy (National C-IED Policy), which is articulated through Presidential Policy Directive 17 (PPD-17): Countering IEDs. OBP serves as the Deputy Administrator of the federal interagency Joint Program Office for C-IEDs (JPO C-IED), which coordinates and tracks federal government progress in building national C-IED capabilities and works in close collaboration with the White House National Security Council (NSC).

OBP also leads DHS efforts to implement the National C-IED Policy by administering the CISA OBP Strategy Section and chairing the DHS IED Working Group (DHS IEDWG). In partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), OBP co-developed the Security and Resiliency Guide: C-IED Concepts, Common Goals, and Available Assistance (SRG C-IED) to help stakeholders plan and implement C-IED activities within their organizations’ overall public safety and emergency management approach.

Through its leadership role, OBP is instrumental in aligning DHS and national C-IED efforts through centralized and effective coordination of ongoing programs, resulting in better resource allocation within OBP and across DHS and our federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance strategically focuses and guides comprehensive Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident risk management and preparedness assistance to stakeholders. Technical Assistance is modular, agile, and systematic because it focuses on flexible methods to assist participating entities to build, sustain, and deliver appropriate levels of relevant Counter-IED (C-IED) capabilities. Ultimately, Technical Assistance provides increased preparedness capabilities across partner jurisdictions through a deliberate, synchronized, and efficient process illustrating an improved understanding of the nation’s C-IED preparedness/capabilities for senior leaders.

Objectives:

  1. Coordinate the development and delivery of comprehensive preparedness assistance to a wide variety of stakeholders to enhance the Nation’s security and resiliency against explosive attacks.
  2. Engage various stakeholder communities within geographical boundaries, government jurisdictions, and infrastructure sectors to determine specific needs for assistance in managing IED risks and supporting emergency response.
  3. Provide communities with training, tools, and specialized assistance to meet their preparedness needs.
  4. Actively promote the development of new technologies and methods that advance bombing prevention and response capabilities.

End State: increased preparedness and capabilities across partner jurisdictions through a deliberate, synchronized, and more efficient process and a better understanding/picture of the nation’s C-IED preparedness/capabilities for senior leadership.

For more information about the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), please see the TAP fact sheet. 

Data and Analysis

OBP plays a crucial role in Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) information sharing, not only in times of heightened threat or incidents, but also by increasing IED awareness in our day-to-day lives. Through its role in information sharing and decision support, OBP leverages its communications network, including detailed assignments at key federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Explosives Task Force (NETF) and the Counter-Improvised Threat Collaboration Center (C3), to ensure that timely and accurate information is provided to senior decision-makers across DHS, other federal agencies, and state, local, and private sector partners across the United States to support threat and incident-based crisis decision-making.

Training

To reduce risk to the nation’s critical infrastructure, OBP develops and delivers a diverse curriculum of training and awareness products to build nationwide Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) core capabilities and enhance awareness of terrorist threats. Coordinated through state Homeland Security officials and training offices, OBP courses educate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial participants, such as municipal officials and emergency managers; state and local law enforcement and other emergency services; and critical infrastructure owners, operators, and security staff on strategies to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents. OBP provides a variety of C-IED training and awareness products.

Federal Partners 
Contact Information 

To report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.

Please contact your local Protective Security Advisor (PSA) or send an email to the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) at OBP@cisa.dhs.gov for additional information about OBP products and programs, or to schedule a training session or a planning workshop.

Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping our nation safe. Everyone has a responsibility to protect our nation—"If You See Something, Say Something."