Countermeasures
Legislation would require federal contractors to adhere to cybersecurity guidelines
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would require federal contractors to adhere to National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines. The Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025 would require the Office of Management and Budget to... Read More »
Legislation would make permanent CBP Innovation Teams
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would strengthen U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to combat human and drug trafficking at the southern border. The Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act would make permanent Innovation Teams, a division... Read More »
Warrants unsealed for seizure of malicious domains
The Justice Department recently unsealed two warrants that authorizes the seizure of five internet domains used by malicious cyber actors to operate the LummaC2 information-stealing malware service. LummaC2’s administrators used the seized websites to distribute LummaC2, an... Read More »
Legislation would modernize the Defense Production Act
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would modernize the Defense Production Act that was enacted in 1950. The Federal Overhaul of Reserve Command Executive Modernization Act would modernize voluntary agreement authorities to enabling federal agencies to... Read More »
WHO member states adopt pandemic agreement
Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) voted to adopt the world’s first Pandemic Agreement, that boosts global collaboration as part of the response to future pandemics. The agreement is the result of more than three years of intense negotiations, officials said, that came as a... Read More »
FEMA to make available $396M for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will make $360 million in funding available through the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The program funds fire prevention programs and supports firefighter health and safety research and... Read More »
Legislation would reauthorize the Community Oriented Policing Services program
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would reauthorize the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and double federal funding. The More Funding for COPS Act would formally reauthorize the program that hasn’t been reauthorized since... Read More »
Bipartisan bill would protect military installations from unauthorized drones
A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and August Pfluger (R-TX) would help secure the airspace around military bases, officials said. The Comprehensive Operations for Unmanned-System Neutralization and Threat Elimination Response (COUNTER) Act would expand the definition of a... Read More »
Legislation would improve visibility of medicine supply chains
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would improve federal coordination and visibility of medicine supply chains. The Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply Act would directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with other relevant... Read More »
DHS technology partner launching first responder solution
New Jersey-based MaXentric Technologies LLC, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) technology to industry partner, will make commercially available a first responder solution to law enforcement agencies nationwide. The radar-based Detect Presence of... Read More »
Michigan man arrested for planning terrorist attack
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former member of the Michigan Army National Guard, recently was arrested after attempting to conduct a mass-shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Mich., on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.... Read More »
Legislation would improve police preparedness
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would improve officer readiness, enhance public trust, and make communities safer. Smaller or under-resourced jurisdictions often lack the ability to offer advanced training on their own. The Law Enforcement... Read More »
Legislation would extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 for an additional 10 years. CISA incentivizes companies to voluntarily share cybersecurity threat indicators with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Threat... Read More »
CBP reports “dramatic” change in operations at the border
According to statistics released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for April, border agents patrolling the southern border are up and the number of immigrants entering the country are down. The monthly reporting, which can be viewed on the agency’s stats and summaries webpage, show... Read More »
Bill to address port staffing shortages reintroduced
Legislation aimed at addressing personnel shortages at ports of entry was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week. U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) reintroduced the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act to fully staff America’s airports, seaports and land ports of entry... Read More »
Global Congress issues recommendations on chemical security threats
The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats released recommendations at its fifth plenary meeting last week to boost global action against chemical security threats. The meeting included 300 delegates from more than 100 countries and six international... Read More »
Legislation will seek to reform FEMA, federal disaster assistance programs
Bipartisan legislation soon to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal disaster assistance programs. U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, and Rick Larsen (D-WA)... Read More »
Bill introduced to eliminate unfair overtime limits on police
Legislation that would guarantee federal law enforcement officers are paid the compensation they have earned was introduced in the House on May 8. The bill, the Law Enforcement Officer Fair Retirement Act, was introduced by U.S. Reps. Nellie Pou (D-NJ), Don Bacon (R-NE), Gerry Connolly (D-VA)... Read More »
Coast Guard offloads 725 pounds of cocaine following seizure off Puerto Rico
The Coast Guard offloaded approximately 725 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $5.4 million on Wednesday that was seized by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier, a fast response cutter homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cocaine was turned over to Coast Guard Investigative... Read More »
Legislation would combat China’s infiltration of American college campuses
U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-TN) and August Pfluger (R-TX) said they applaud the House’s passage of legislation that combats China’s influence on American college campuses. Green, chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the legislation, DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes... Read More »
DEA, federal authorities arrest 16 in connection to drug trafficking organization
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal authorities recently arrested 16 people and seized fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles in five states in connection to a drug trafficking organization. Law enforcement officers executed coordinated search warrants. “Our... Read More »
Task force formed to enhance security for special events like FIFA, Olympics
U.S. Reps. Mark E. Green, M.D. (R-TN) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) said a bipartisan task force will conduct security oversight as the country prepares for major international events in the coming years. The “Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States” will visit... Read More »
Legislation introduced to modernize missile technology export controls
U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced legislation on Monday that would remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to missile technology export controls. The legislation, the Missile Technology Control Revision Act, would bolster national security while providing our... Read More »
DHS offering travel assistance, $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens for self-deportation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering a stipend of $1,000 to every illegal alien who self-deports. Aliens would receive payment after their return to their home countries is confirmed through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. “If you are here illegally,... Read More »
Legislation would help law enforcement respond to building code violations
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would equip local law enforcement officers with the tools and training necessary to recognize and respond to public health threats arising from building code violations. The Safety Training for Officers on Public... Read More »
Biodefense commission issues report on U.S. warfighters
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) should safeguard the country and its warfighters from biological threats, a new report said. Issued by the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, the report, “Battle Rattle: Fast Movers for Military Biodefense” recommended 10 high priority action items the... Read More »
Autonomous fire suppression techniques successfully demonstrated
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and California-based Rain, an autonomous aerial wildfire containment technology company, recently successfully demonstrated and tested autonomous wildfire suppression techniques. The tests were conducted in California in collaboration with San Bernardino... Read More »
Legislation would grow U.S. Merchant Marines
Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in Congress would bolster the U.S. Merchant Marines. The Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act would boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S.... Read More »
Legislation to expand military recruitment introduced
Legislation to enhance military recruitment was introduced recently by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran. The Service Enlistment and Recruitment of Valuable Engagement (SERVE) Act would promote the benefits of service while expanding recruiter access to high school students. The... Read More »
Republicans advance Trump administration budget focusing on border security
Republicans in the House Committee on Homeland Security advanced its budget reconciliation recommendations to fund President Donald Trump’s border security efforts. The budget recommendation will complete the border wall and increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel while... Read More »
Legislation would protect service members’ data from being sold
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would prevent data brokers from non-adversarial nations from purchasing U.S. service members’ data and then selling it to adversarial nations such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. The Protecting Military Servicemembers Data... Read More »
National Institute of Standards and Technology updates guidance on wildfires
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently updated its guidance on preparing for wildfires. The updates are based on scientific research and community feedback. Guidance was first published in 2023 along with a case study on the 2018 Camp Fire evacuations in Paradise,... Read More »
Maryland, DARPA sign quantum research agreement
DARPA and the state of Maryland announced they had reached an agreement to test and evaluate quantum computing prototypes and systems. The Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub is part of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) that will assess which quantum computing approaches, if any, can... Read More »
U.S. Central Command targeting terrorist organization in Yemen
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces have conducted Operation Rough Rider, a campaign targeting the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, since March 15. Forces include the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and two Carrier Strike Groups. There... Read More »