DHS has announced that the Secret Service is the lead agency responsible for the design and implementation of the operational security plan for the Democratic and Republican national conventions, taking place in Denver and Saint Paul, Minn.

The conventions are designated as "national special security events" and as such the Secret Service is carrying out its responsibilities by relying on a core strategy of forming partnerships with all participating law enforcement, security and public safety officials, according to a DHS fact sheet.

It said that during the formation of the Secret Service's overall security plan, each participating DHS agency was tasked based on its jurisdiction and particular area of expertise.

The Secret Service's goal is to develop and implement, with the numerous participating agencies, a seamless security plan that will create a safe and secure environment, but should the need arise for a response to a tactical threat, the Secret Service is prepared to respond by deploying a number of specialized units with unique expertise, DHS said.

Also contributing to the security effort for the conventions, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be providing a contingent of federal law enforcement personnel in support of security and public safety, DHS said.

It said FEMA would work with the Secret Service and FBI as the lead federal agency for consequence management in the event of a large-scale response to a natural or man-made disaster. More