National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)

What does National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) mean?

The National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that exists to advance the department’s mission of reducing federal security risk across the country, including cyber threats and risk to communications systems. The reduction of overall risk is part of integrated action and collaboration between departments and agencies and encompasses both physical and virtual threats, as well as the human elements involved.

Techopedia explains National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD)

The position of head of the National Protection and Programs Directorate is set by presidential appointment and then confirmed by the United States Senate.

There are four divisions under the NPPD:

• US-VISIT: This is the system used by the DHS for keeping track of all visitors to the country and checking all of their identity through various biometric technologies.
• Federal Protective Service (FPS): Protects all federally owned and leased assets.
• Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C): Assures the reliability, resiliency and security of the nation’s cyber and communications infrastructure.
• Office of Infrastructure and Protection (IP): Its mission is to lead a national coordinated effort to reduce the risks associated with critical infrastructure like power and water utilities in terms of preparedness for attacks and disasters, as well as to strengthen the department's ability to respond to such emergencies.