E.O. 13228

In October 2001, President Bush issued '''Executive Order (EO) 13228''' establishing the Office of Homeland Security within the Executive Office of the President and the Homeland Security Council. It stated that the Office of Homeland Security was “to develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks.”

In addition, EO 13228 stated that, among other things, the Office of Homeland Security was to coordinate efforts to protect critical public and privately owned information systems within the United States from terrorist attacks. Further, it established the Homeland Security Council to advise and assist the President with respect to all aspects of homeland security, to serve as the mechanism for ensuring coordination of homeland security-related activities of executive departments and agencies, and to develop and implement homeland security policies.