This paper examines the recommendations issued by the 9/11 Commission and evaluates their implementation within the United States federal security framework. It traces the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the specific measures adopted in response to the September 11 attacks, including improved information sharing, risk-based transportation security, enhanced passenger screening, and protection of physical and cyber infrastructure. The paper also identifies recommendations that remain partially or fully unimplemented, such as biometric exit systems, PASS ID legislation, and regional homeland security preparedness programs. It concludes by assessing which recommendations have been most effective and where adjustments—particularly around biometric border security—are still needed.
The paper demonstrates policy evaluation through a recommendation-by-recommendation audit framework. Rather than narrating history chronologically, it uses the Commission's own recommendations as an organizing scaffold, then assesses implementation status against each one. This approach — comparing stated goals to actual outcomes — is a foundational method in public policy analysis and produces a structured, falsifiable argument.
The paper opens with background on the 9/11 Commission's purpose and the creation of DHS. It then lists and explains five implemented recommendations (information sharing, transportation security, passenger pre-screening, explosive detection, and cyber infrastructure protection). Next, it addresses unimplemented recommendations including PASS ID, biometric exit systems, and regional preparedness funding. The paper then evaluates which measures have been most and least effective before concluding with a specific adjustment proposal focused on mandatory biometric border screening.
Among U.S. citizens, September 11 is one of the most enduring dates in the national memory, defined by catastrophic terrorist attacks that fundamentally altered the country's approach to security. In their aftermath, the federal government faced an urgent need to develop a comprehensive security framework — one that would protect American residents from external attacks and equip local, state, and federal agencies to prepare for and respond to internal threats. A commission was established to conduct a security inquiry and analysis to guide the country's next steps.
A central outcome of this process was the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which consolidated 22 different offices and agencies into a single cabinet department. The Commission was founded on the core principle of protecting the American people from terrorism. Working alongside partners and communities across the country, DHS has since helped strengthen the enterprise of homeland security and mitigate potential threats (Kean & Hamilton, 2004).
The United States has progressively made substantial efforts to secure the nation since the September 11 attacks. However, the country's terror threats have evolved considerably over the last two decades. As new challenges have emerged, DHS has continued to focus on minimizing terror risks while maximizing the country's ability to recover from and respond to attacks and security disasters of all kinds. Several key recommendations from the 9/11 Commission have since been adopted and have effectively contributed to safety and security within U.S. borders.
Expanding information sharing. With the creation of DHS, the United States significantly improved its homeland security enterprise by introducing components — such as systematic information sharing — that were not in place before 9/11. Seventy-two fusion centers established across the nation serve as central hubs for gathering, receiving, sharing, and analyzing threat-related data between the federal government and tribal, private, local, and territorial sector partners. A nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting initiative educates local and state law enforcement to detect indicators of terrorism and other threats, while standardizing how such observations are analyzed, documented, and transmitted to federal and community partners. The National Terrorism Advisory System provides timely, detailed information about terrorism threats and recommends security measures to government agencies, the public, private sector entities, and transportation hubs (Kean & Hamilton, 2004).
Risk-based transportation security strategies. DHS has made tangible progress in risk-based security since 9/11, focusing on intelligence-driven structured security across all modes of transportation. This approach heightens pre-screening of cargo and passengers while directing resources toward those who present the greatest threats to national transportation networks. Measures include security assessments across maritime, surface transportation, and aviation sectors; new global aviation standards to strengthen global supply chain security; and expanded processes for gathering and analyzing cargo and passenger data to prevent potential terror threats (Kahan, 2013).
Heightened pre-screening of airline passengers. Before 9/11, screening of passengers entering the United States was limited to the visa process and checks at ports of entry by immigration officers, and the provision of advance passenger information was voluntary. In response, DHS significantly improved its capacity to identify terror threats through multi-layered, risk-based systems. All airlines traveling to the United States from foreign countries must now provide advance passenger information — including names and other identifying details — before departure. The government has also established watchlists to enhance flight security and has advanced trusted traveler programs that require biometric identification and rigorous security checks (Kean & Hamilton, 2004).
Improved explosive detection. Before 9/11, little security attention was paid to cargo screening. Today, all cargo planes and carry-on baggage are screened to detect explosives. There has been a substantial expansion in the use of new technologies and frontline security expertise. Annual appropriations legislation and the Recovery Act have accelerated the adoption of new technologies designed to identify the next generation of threats (Shea & Morgan, 2007).
Protection of vital physical infrastructure and cyber networks. DHS has made measurable progress in enhancing the security of the nation's critical physical infrastructure and cyber networks. U.S. security agencies have implemented the National Cybersecurity Protection System and a communications integration center that serves as the central hub for coordinating cyber response efforts (Fong, 2010).
Despite considerable progress, some 9/11 Commission recommendations remain unimplemented, leaving the country less secure than it could be. One unfinished area involves transforming the intelligence community to enhance information sharing across federal, state, and local governments. Although information sharing has improved significantly since 9/11, further progress is needed — particularly in sharing intelligence between military personnel in the field and the broader intelligence community and national agencies (Hastedt, 2006).
Several other key recommendations have not yet been fully realized. For instance, proposed PASS ID legislation to strengthen the security of driver's licenses has not been fully implemented by many U.S. states. Similarly, risk-based security screening to protect against cyber attacks and the implementation of biometric exit solutions have not been universally adopted (Shea et al., 2007).
The implementation of a regional approach to homeland security and preparedness has also stalled. The Urban Area Security Initiative, designed to help regions develop integrated systems for response, protection, recovery, and prevention of terror threats, has not been fully implemented due to funding challenges (Kean & Hamilton, 2004). The Commission recommended that states direct no less than 25% of Urban Area Security Initiative funds toward counterterrorism activities — including exercises, training, and the development of fusion centers. To encourage compliance, homeland security grant funding has been consistently increased (Kahan, 2013).
Most of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations were sound and have significantly contributed to security enhancement in the United States. However, the challenges of insecurity worldwide evolve daily, necessitating adjustments to the Commission's recommendations to cope with current threats. One recommendation that deserves revision is the strengthening of border security and identity verification. Due to the increased use of technology and the forgery of travel documents, the United States should refocus on biometric identification at its borders as a mandatory screening requirement, in order to filter out individuals who continue to evade current security measures (Hastedt, 2006).
You’re 72% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.