A former member of the U.S. Air Force, Tairod Nathan Webster Pugh, was recently sentenced to 35 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and … Read More
A bill to establish a bounty program where white hats, also known as ethical hackers, identify bugs in computer systems at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in order to strengthen cyber defenses was recently introduced in the Senate … Read More
During a recent hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) discussed the importance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for securing the nation’s international borders. In speaking to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary … Read More
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), in conjunction with the Moscow-based Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the Government of Kazakhstan, recently sponsored a workshop on radiological security and safety procedures. The event … Read More
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently approved an application from the Reno-Tahoe Airport to participate in the agency’s Reimbursable Services Program (RSP), which allows the airport to hire additional CBP personnel to help process international travelers. CBP’s approval also … Read More
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on cybersecurity issues to 700 financial services professionals at the 2017 American Bankers Association (ABA) Stonier Graduate School of Banking program in Philadelphia on June 3. The program … Read More
In response to the President’s recently-proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, which includes zeroing out funding for and closing the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) in Frederick, Maryland, U.S. Rep. John K. Delaney (D-MD) used a public letter to … Read More
A new mask that provides individual respiratory, eye, and skin protection from various chemical and biological warfare agents, including radiological particulates, for pilots and aircrew recently underwent testing at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) facilities at Maryland’s Aberdeen Proving Ground. … Read More
The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) must address various management challenges, including aligning budgets with plans to modernize its nuclear weapons systems, according to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO said its report was based … Read More
According to a thesis published recently by Lund University in Sweden, it may be possible to analyze mobile phones and other objects that come into close contact with the body to determine if an individual has been exposed to a … Read More
A bill that would expand the ability of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to collect information under geographic targeting orders (GTOs) to prevent money laundering for terrorist groups was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Stephen F. … Read More
Modernizing and replacing programs related to the United States nuclear triad is the first priority for both the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy, according to testimony from key defense officials at … Read More
A bill that would establish a process for federal, state and local governments to work together to manage the use of recreational and commercial drones was recently introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), … Read More
A bill that would extend temporary protective status (TPS) for a period of eighteen months to individuals from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea as their home nations continue to recover from the West African Ebola epidemic of 2014-2016 was recently … Read More
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently approved a series of bills that would provide authorizations for the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Maritime Commission, among other provisions. The first of six bills passed by … Read More
A bill that seeks to address the rising costs of disaster recovery, provide additional support for first responders, and reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the first time ever was recently advanced by the House Committee on Transportation … Read More
In the wake of the deadly bombing in Manchester, England, which killed 22 people and injured dozens more, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) strongly warned against President Trump’s proposed FY2018 budget cuts to critical Transportation Security Administration (TSA) programs that … Read More
As the third anniversary passes of the deadly Isla Vista, California shootings, which killed six people and injured 14 others, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a bill that would allow family members to keep guns away from those who … Read More
The Ebola virus harms the body’s natural defenses by binding directly to white blood cells, which expedites the virus’ lethal effects, according to a recent study by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), the University … Read More
FLIR Systems, Inc. recently announced that James J. Cannon will succeed Andy Teich as the company’s president and CEO, effective June 19, 2017. “We are delighted to appoint a chief executive of Jim’s caliber,” FLIR’s Chairman of the Board Earl … Read More
A bipartisan bill that aims to strengthen the nation’s homeland missile defense reliability and capacity was recently introduced in the Senate. The Advancing America’s Missile Defense Act was introduced by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Brian Schatz … Read More
In the wake of the deadly bombing in Manchester, United Kingdom, which killed 22 people, U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) introduced two separate bills that aim to prevent would-be terrorists from traveling in and out of Western countries undetected. The … Read More
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week, U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) questioned intelligence officials on countering threats from North Korean chemical weapons and potential homegrown terrorists in the United States. In speaking with Director of National Intelligence … Read More
In the wake of the international WannaCry ransomware attack, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) recently hosted a virtual conference with officials from affected countries to discuss mitigating actions to be taken. The malicious software has reportedly infected more than … Read More
Two bills that seek to improve law enforcement training and enhance information sharing in combating cyber terror threats were recently advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017, authored by … Read More
A report that details the entry and exit data among nonimmigrant visitors into the United States for FY2016 was recently released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report specifically provides information on immigrant departures and overstays from … Read More
Officials with the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed an agreement to establish a joint Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), which seeks to address new and evolving threats related to extremist financing. U.S. Secretary of the … Read More
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry in California recently seized three separate shipments of illicit narcotics, totaling 370 pounds. The narcotics, which included 316 pounds of methamphetamine and … Read More
The Security Industry Association (SIA), a trade group representing thousands of security industry leaders and companies, recently established a new Public Safety Working Group, which aims to develop plans and recommendations to improve the overall safety, security and sustainability of … Read More
In the weeks since AT&T was awarded a contract to develop the first nationwide broadband network for first responders, FirstNet has since been begun the process of providing each state governor with a notice of completion for the request for … Read More
Democratic members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently requested information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on its efforts in preparing for and responding to a potential Zika virus outbreak over the summer, when … Read More
A bill that requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain an inventory of all sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) was recently passed by the House Committee on Homeland Security. The bill, titled the DHS Classified Facility Inventory … Read More
Sandia National Laboratories is set to host the 11th annual Western Robotics Rodeo, where civilian and military bombs squads work to diffuse and mitigate dangerous situations in a controlled setting. The event will bring in 10 regional teams who will … Read More
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes may also transmit other flaviviruses like Zika virus, chikungunya, and dengue fever within the course of one bite in a process called coinfection, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Colorado State University (CSU). Aedes … Read More
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) recently sent a public letter to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Anne Schuchat, regarding the agency’s coordination efforts with Texas public health agencies to prepare for … Read More
