DHS Approach

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed a Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and Active Shooter approach that applies to all forms of violent extremism or crimes, regardless of ideology; and that focuses not on radical thought or speech, but instead on preventing violent attacks. This approach is designed to support the National Strategy on Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism and the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States which President Obama released in 2011.

To support this initiative, the Department is working with a broad range of partners to gain a better understanding of the behaviors, tactics, and other indicators that could point to potential violent crime or terrorist activity within the United States, and the best ways to mitigate or prevent that activity.

One of the venues used by DHS to promote information and intelligence sharing on a broad range of topics is the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN). This network provides a secure and trusted environment for information sharing and collaboration between Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Territorial, private sector, civilian and international partners engaged in prevention, preparedness, detection, response, and recovery of all threats, crimes, hazards, and incidents.

Countering Violent Extremism and Active Shooter Portal

Within HSIN, the Joint DHS and FBI Countering Violent Extremism and Active Shooter Web Portal provides a forum to share Unclassified For Official Use Only (FOUO), Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU), and Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) Information with anyone who is a sworn, full-time, salaried, Law Enforcement Officer (Federal, State, or Local); Federal Employee affiliated with the criminal justice system or intelligence communities; military personnel; and governmental agencies associated with infrastructure protection of the United States. The Portal also shares Unclassified FOUO or SBU information with private sector partners, civilian security personnel, corporate executives, academic institution employees, first responders (including firemen and EMS), international partners, religious leaders, and other state and local partners that are not law enforcement personnel, as appropriate. The portal provides users and training practitioners with accurate, appropriate, and relevant CVE and AS training development resources, subject matter expert information, and outreach initiatives. It also has forums to provide feedback, products useful to others, and allows participants to ask questions concerning Countering Violent Extremism or the Active Shooter Program.

Educational Materials:

• CVE Educational Sheet
• Active Shooter Educational Sheet

Access to the Countering Violent Extremism and Active Shooter Portal

Persons with a job-related duty, public service interest, or who support a Countering Violent Extremism and/or Active Shooter program can request access into this Portal. Limited work-related information is needed to ensure members are provided the appropriate accesses and their work activities justify a need to know. This information is used to nominate the user into HSIN, and then the user will receive an email to validate their information into the Countering Violent Extremism-Active Shooter (CVE-AS) Web Portal from HSIN to gain access to the appropriate resources in the Portal. When the request-to-join CVE-AS icon is clicked below, an email is generated to the DHS Countering Violent Extremism-Active Shooter Program Manager at cveasportal@hq.dhs.gov.  It will ask you to provide the following information in the body of the email in order to fill out the nomination form:

1. Full Name:
2. Place of Employment:
3. Job Title:
4. Work Email Address:
5. Work Phone Number:
6. Short Job Description as it Relates to CVE or AS:

For more information from DHS, please visit the DHS public web pages at:

• Countering Violent Extremism
• Active Shooter Preparedness
• HSIN Terms of Service