The committee considered nine areas of concern: nuclear and radiological threats, human and agricultural health systems, toxic chemicals and explosive materials, information technology, energy systems, transportation systems, cities and fixed infrastructure, the response of people to terrorism, and complex and interdependent systems. Each of these areas is discussed in a separate chapter. Each chapter contains a number of recommendations, all describing what the committee believes are critical ways to make the Nation safer from terrorist attacks. The actions and research opportunities described in the chapters cover a variety of approaches, fields, and systems. They range from immediate applications of existing technology to the development and deployment of long-term basic research programs. Based on information from prior major studies and commission reports about the current threat, the committee presents a short list of important technical initiatives that span the nine areas. This list includes seven ways to apply existing knowledge and technology immediately in order to make the Nation safer, as well as seven areas of research and development in which it is urgent that programs by initiated or strengthened. These initiatives illustrate the types of actions the committee recommends throughout the report. A 32-item bibliography and appended committee and staff biographies, panel members and staff, panel activities, and a subject index