The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) has replaced the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS)with a system that will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. This alert will only be issued after the Secretary of Homeland Security and other Federal entities review the available information and decide if it raises a potential threat.

Secretary of Homeland Security will announce the alerts publically. Alerts will simultaneously be posted at DHS.gov/alertsand released to the news media for distribution. The Department of Homeland Security will also distribute alerts across its social media channels, including the Department's blog, Twitter stream, Facebook page and RSS feed.

The advisory will clearly indicate whether the threat is Elevated, if we have no specific information about the timing or location, or Imminent, if we believe the threat is impending or soon.

These alerts will state the potential threat, as well as, give a detailed summary of the geographic region, critical infrastructure potentially affected by the threat, actions being placed to ensure the public is safe and protective action the public can take to help prevent, mitigate or respond to the current threat.

The NTAS Alerts carry an expiration date and will be automatically cancelled on that date. If the threat information changes for an alert, the Secretary of Homeland Security may announce an updated NTAS Alert. All changes, including the announcement that cancels an NTAS Alert, will be distributed the same way as the original alert.

Americans all share responsibility for the nation's security, and should always be aware of the heightened risk of terrorist attack in the United States and what they should do to be prepared.