Countermeasures
Plan will modernize U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) recently entered into a 10-year agreement to revitalize and modernize the USMMA campus in Kings Point, N.Y. The USMMA academy on Long Island is one of five federal service academies. The... Read More »
WHO member states make progress on pandemic agreement
Member states of the World Health Organization recently forged a draft agreement to help make the world safer from pandemics. The proposal, which will be considered at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May, aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to... Read More »
Smiths Detection to supply cruise ships with X-ray inspection systems
Smiths Detection, a threat detection and security screening technologies company, recently announced it will supply SDX 6040 X-ray inspection systems to several major cruise lines. “At Smiths Detection, we serve customers in a wide range of market sectors, with a significant focus on cruise... Read More »
Military exercise tests machine learning technology
Combined Resolve, a U.S. Army Europe-Africa exercise designed to prepare a multinational brigade combat team in support of NATO deterrence operations, was held in February at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) worked... Read More »
Panamanian doctor charged in VA fraud scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice said a Panamanian doctor has pleaded guilty to a widespread fraud scheme involving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials said Dr. Rolando Chin, a surgeon in Panama, was one of several people involved in submitting false and inflated claims to the... Read More »
ICE operation apprehends 133 illegal aliens in New York
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeted criminal illegal alien offenders and other immigration violators in western, central, and northern New York and apprehended 133 illegal aliens between March 24 and March 28. During the operation, four criminal search warrants were served... Read More »
Program to protect sensitive data from foreign adversaries implemented by DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said on April 11 it has taken steps to move forward with a program to prevent China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries from accessing and exploiting American citizens’ personal data. The Data Security Program implemented by the National Security... Read More »
Bill to address transnational repression passes out of committee
A bill focusing on coercive tactics used by repressive foreign governments to silence political dissention has passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) said. The Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Combat Transnational Repression Act, introduced... Read More »
Industrial sector experienced more than 1,400 ransomware attacks in 2024, study finds
UK-based NCC Group, an IT company assessing and managing cyber threats, recently released the third edition of its Global Cyber Policy Radar report on cyber security regulation trends. In 2024, the industrial sector experienced 1,424 ransomware attacks, up from 2023, making it the most targeted... Read More »
Legislation introduced to combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks
U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) reintroduced legislation that would help combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks. The legislation, Strengthening Cyber resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act, would require the federal government to assess and... Read More »
CBP launches International Remote Baggage Screening initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently implemented the International Remote Baggage Screening initiative that is designed to enhance the efficiency of international travel. Under the initiative, passengers arriving in the United States from foreign airports can continue to their... Read More »
Coast Guard cuts Logistics Information Management System
The Coast Guard recently terminated the Logistics Information Management System (CG-LIMS) with program activities ending no later than May 1. The armed services are facing difficulties attempting to replace its outdated information technology systems. This is because of the transactions... Read More »
Legislation introduced to reauthorize Project Safe Neighborhoods program
A group of Republican Senators introduced legislation that would reauthorize a national program allowing law enforcement to use evidence-based, data-driven approaches to reducing violent crime. U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom... Read More »
Legislation would continue Department of Defense 1033 Program
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would protect the Department of Defense 1033 Program. The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act would allow the program to continue to transfer equipment to local law enforcement. U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Pete Stauber (R-MN)... Read More »
Legislation would restore FEMA as independent agency
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency. The FEMA Independence Act would remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency then would report directly to... Read More »
ICE, USCIS investigation leads to arrest of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement partnered with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in an investigation that led to the apprehension of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts. The agencies said that during a six-day enhanced operation in March, federal law enforcement partners and... Read More »
Agencies warn of fast flux enabled malicious activities
Cybersecurity service providers, internet service providers, and organizations were warned Wednesday of the ongoing threat of fast flux enabled malicious activities. “Fast flux” exploits a gap commonly found in network defenses, making the tracking and blocking of malicious fast flux... Read More »
March southwest border crossings lowest on record
Crossings over the southwest border reached a record low in March, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data. Approximately 7,180 southwest border crossings were recorded in March and there were approximately 230 southwest border apprehensions daily. The monthly average for... Read More »
Lockheed Martin awarded $4.94B Army contract for Precision Strike Missiles
The U.S. Army recently awarded global defense technology company Lockheed Martin an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract worth up to $4.94 billion. The contract is for the production of additional Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM), a solution designed to provide a warfighter with... Read More »
Legislation to extend concealed carry privileges to law enforcement officers reintroduced
U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) said their legislation extending concealed carry privileges to law enforcement officers would improve public safety and offer real solutions to terrorism and mass shootings. The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act (LEOSA) would extend... Read More »
Coast Guard increases presence near Mexico border
The Coast Guard recently increased its operational presence near the border between the United States and Mexico with the goal of enhancing border security and immigration enforcement. Coast Guard District Eleven has increased its counter-illicit-maritime-activities since Jan. 21, tripled its... Read More »
Hoeven meets with Air Force General to keep Minot Air Force Base modernization on track
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven met with Gen. Thomas Bussiere to ensure the modernization efforts at Minot Air Force Base stay on track. Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command, is working with Hoeven to ensure the base has the facilities necessary to house and operate new weapons... Read More »
DOJ seizes cryptocurrency intended to fund Hamas
Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said a court-authorized seizure of more than $200,000 in cryptocurrency will disrupt an ongoing Hamas funding scheme. According to a press release from the DOJ, the office seized $201,400 in cryptocurrency held in wallets and accounts intended to... Read More »
Raytheon completes live fire demonstration of DeepStrike vehicle
Raytheon successfully completed a live fire demonstration of its DeepStrike autonomous mobile launcher vehicle at the U.S. Army's Project Convergence. Compared to what is currently fielded, the DeepStrike launcher increases the amount of weapons. It can fire missiles of various sizes which... Read More »
Congressmembers applaud contract modification for Polar Security Cutter program
Congressmembers in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee applauded the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to award a contract modification to Bollinger Mississippi Shipyards for the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Mike Ezell (R-MS) said the... Read More »
Legislation reintroduced to use AI to prep for, respond to pandemics
Legislation re-introduced into Congress this week would direct the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence to create a program leveraging artificial intelligence to prepare for and respond to pandemics. Sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM),... Read More »
Next round of payments through United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund scheduled
The U.S. Department of Justice will be authorizing at least $2 billion in payments for all eligible United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund claims by Jan. 1, 2026. This will be the sixth round of payments, and potential new claimants can submit applications through June 1. The... Read More »
U.S. Cyber Command holds Cyber Guard exercise
The U.S. Cyber Command held the largest joint Cyber Guard exercise earlier this month, officials said. The annual command exercise coordinated with the Joint Staff to perform the first phase of its 11th annual command exercise; part of a larger joint force exercise series designed to simulate... Read More »
Congress members seek answers on monitoring, countering drones
A group of five Republican Congress members recently sent a letter to Pete Hegseth, Department of Defense secretary; Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security secretary; and Chris Rocheleau, Federal Aviation Administration acting administrator; to question how the agencies are monitoring and... Read More »
Legislation to prohibit U.S. investments from fueling Chinese aggression introduced
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr would prevent U.S. capital from financing the Chinese Communist Party, officials said. The legislation, the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, would establish a comprehensive outbound investment screening regime to... Read More »
Boeing awarded Air Force contract
The U.S. Air Force recently awarded Boeing a contract to design, build and deliver its next-generation fighter aircraft, the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The contract is for the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Next Generation Air Dominance... Read More »
Legislation would exclude certain service members from federal taxes
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would ensure that U.S. service members stationed in certain high-risk areas receive critical tax exclusion benefits. The bill would extend the Qualified Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA) designation to Chad, Burkina Faso,... Read More »
MS-13 leader arraigned in court on federal terrorism, racketeering charges
A high-ranking MS-13 leader, who was added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List in February, was arraigned in federal court Wednesday. Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, also known as Veterano de Tribus, 47, of Ahuachapán, El Salvador, and Veracruz, Mexico, had been a fugitive for nearly... Read More »
DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge gears up for final competition
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health recently released a procedures and scoring guide for the final competition of the AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC), which will award $8.5 million in prizes. The AI Cyber Challenge final... Read More »