Countering Improvised Explosive Devices

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are being used with tragic consequences against US and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, where terrorists have become increasingly sophisticated in their rapid adjustment to US countermeasures. Because of increasing concerns that an IED campaign could migrate to the United States, the President promulgated Homeland Security Presidential Directive 19 (HSPD-19), which mandates the government to prepare for, prevent, and defeat a domestic IED campaign. Major responsibilities fall to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Defense (DoD); however, other government entities must also be actively involved in preventing such a campaign. A task of this complexity requires a whole-of-government approach—with all entities seamlessly working together to optimize counter-IED (C-IED) capabilities.

Our Capabilities

Because of our in-depth support of the overseas C-IED effort—which includes engineering analysis of recovered devices; intelligence analysis; wargaming, modeling, and simulation; information systems support; training; information sharing; and social network analysis—Booz Allen has a solid understanding of C-IED mitigation applications. At Booz Allen, we have found that mission effectiveness in the government sector is most effective when it incorporates:

• Intelligence Analysis: Including analytical tools
• Information Sharing: Understanding what information to share, why, and with whom—
  and addressing cultural, technological, privacy, and governance issues
• Mission Assurance: Using a strategic approach to integrate physical, cyber, and
  personnel security with contingency planning
• Operations Support: Providing appropriate technological, intellectual, and human
  resource infrastructure support
• Decision Support: Accessing, organizing, and effectively and efficiently leveraging the
  information needed to make better decisions

Additional Information

• Countering Improvised Explosive Devices in the US—Jessica Hais talks about how Booz Allen is advising clients on collaborating in the world of joint-missions such as addressing the challenges of countering IEDs domestically.
• Countering Improvised Explosive Devices—This fact sheet highlights Booz Allen’s commitment to bringing a whole-of-government approach to complex threats.
• Commentary: Stopping The Bombers—This article by Booz Allen's Dave Williams appeared in the March 1, 2009, edition of C4ISR Journal.  When it comes to counter-domestic IED policy, U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies must learn from the wars abroad and pick up where the Bush administration left off.