Policy
CENTCOM confirms continued strikes on ISIS in Syria
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Thursday it continues to strike ISIS targets in Syria. In a press release, CENTCOM said its forces had conducted 10 strikes on more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12. The purpose, CENTCOM said, was to “sustain relentless... Read More »
CISA releases secure communications guidelines for critical infrastructure users
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released new guidelines this week to help operational technology users implement secure communications. In the guide, Barriers to Secure OT Communications: Why Johnny Can’t Authenticate, CISA provides insight from control system... Read More »
Legislation to strengthen DEA hiring introduced in Congress
A new bill that would combat drug trafficking through streamlined hiring at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was introduced this week in Congress. U.S. Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) introduced the “Hiring Improvement and Recruitment Empowerment (HIRE) for Drug Enforcement... Read More »
Legislation expanding DHS law enforcement vehicle security introduced
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) would expand existing resources for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to upgrade law enforcement vehicle protection. The legislation, the Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act, would allow law enforcement organizations to make... Read More »
DHS data dragnet under scrutiny as watchdog opens audit
The watchdog office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched an audit Feb. 4 into the department’s data practices, including those used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in response to serious concerns about potential data privacy abuses and the misuse of sensitive... Read More »
Legislation would improve criminal money laundering statutes
Legislation recently re-introduced in the U.S. Senate would enhance criminal money laundering statutes. The Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Finance and Counterfeiting Act would update counterfeiting laws to prohibit state-of-the-art counterfeiting methods and the Federal Deposit Insurance... Read More »
CISA orders federal agencies to strengthen device security
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a new directive to federal agencies to take action against rising cyber security threats. The Binding Operational Directive 26-02, Mitigating Risk from End-of-Support Edge Devices, requires Federal Civilian Executive Branch... Read More »
Legislation introduced to strengthen telecommunications cybersecurity
Legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Rob Menendez (D-NJ) would strengthen telecommunication networks against cyberattacks, officials said. The bill, the AI for Secure Networks Act, would address the increase in cyberattacks that threaten the security of Americans’... Read More »
Concern grows over New START Treaty expiration
The last remaining arms control treaty limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, New START, expires on Feb. 5 – a cause for concern, advocates said recently. Christine Wormuth, president and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a non-proliferation advocacy group, said the treaty’s... Read More »
Vendors chosen for first phase of Drone Dominance Program
U.S. Department of Defense recently invited 25 vendors to compete in phase one of the Drone Dominance Program. The program is an acquisition reform effort designed to rapidly field low cost, unmanned one-way attack drones at scale as part of strengthening the arsenal. "Drone dominance is a... Read More »
New York receives $9M in federal grants to support Multi-Factor Authentication tokens
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her state had received $9 million in federal grants to support the delivery of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) hard tokens to counties, municipalities, school districts and public authorities across the state. MFA requires two or more proofs of identity to... Read More »
Defense Department launches digital platform to help businesses enter into defense markets
The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) of the U.S. Department of Defense, referred to by the Trump administration as the U.S. Department of War, recently announced the launch of a new digital platform for small businesses, LYNX. The LYNX system will strengthen supplier readiness, improve... Read More »
DHS exercise prepares for New World Screwworm animal, public health threat
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Security held a two-part New World Screwworm simulation exercise in January to strengthen national readiness and improve coordination for emerging animal and public health threats. The New World Screwworm is a parasite that infests... Read More »
Advisory boards merge to create Science and Technology Innovation Board
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently merged the Defense Innovation Board and the Defense Science Board into the new Science and Technology Innovation Board (STIB). The STIB will be a forum where leading scientists and industry experts can provide mission‑focused advice to solve... Read More »
FEMA releases more than $2.2B in funding for past disasters
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released more than $2.2 billion in disaster relief funds for natural disasters from 2021 through 2024. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the money would be to support ongoing recovery efforts. “This investment will repair and restore critical public... Read More »
Space Force releases strategic plan
Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, recently revealed a new strategic plan outlining priorities for 2026 and beyond for Vandenberg Space Force Base, a critical hub for national defense and U.S. space operations. “We must expand our capacity for full-spectrum operations as... Read More »
DHS, DOJ affirm commitment to combating human trafficking
As part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reaffirmed their commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. The DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces, have an... Read More »
Rep. Ogles requests information about North Korean cyber infiltration
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) wants answers from tech companies about suspected North Korean infiltration of U.S. companies. Ogles, the chair of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, said he has sent a letter to LinkedIn, Amazon Web Services and Palo Alto Networks... Read More »
House passes bill funding the Department of Homeland Security
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. “This full-year appropriations bill will bolster the border security wins provided by House Republicans in our reconciliation package and ensure the safety of... Read More »
Legislation introduced to denaturalize fraudsters, terrorists and felons
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) introduced legislation this week that would clarify what evidence the government can use to denaturalize citizens found guilty of fraud, terrorism or an aggravated felony. Emmer, the House Majority Whip, said the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act... Read More »
Panel urges deeper public-private fight against U.S. cyber adversaries
Republicans and cybersecurity experts warned that the United States must move faster and act more aggressively to counter foreign cyber threats during a Jan. 13 hearing held by the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection. As foreign nations... Read More »
Defense Department makes $1B investment in missile company
The U.S. Department of Defense recently committed a $1 billion convertible preferred equity investment in the Missile Solutions business of Florida-based L3Harris Technologies, a defense and space manufacturing company, becoming an anchor investor. As part of the transaction, the business will... Read More »
Legislation introduced to strengthen DoD cyber workforce
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced legislation recently that they hope will help the U.S. Department of Defense recruit and retain cybersecurity professionals. The Department of Defense Comprehensive Cyber Workforce Strategy Act would require the DoD to further its... Read More »
Senators urge Energy Secretary to ban Chinese Nationals from American labs
A group led by U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Mike Lee (R-UT) is urging the U.S. Department of Energy to prohibit Chinese foreign nationals from working in American national laboratories. Cotton, the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Lee, the chair of the energy and National... Read More »
DHS launches new office for drone, counter-drone technologies
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it was launching a new office dedicated to drone and counter-drone technologies. The new office, the DHS Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems will oversee strategic investments into drone... Read More »
National Security Agency announces Timothy Kosiba as next deputy director
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced they have designated Timothy Kosiba as the National Security Agency’s (NSA) next Deputy Director. Kosiba, who has already been approved by U.S. President Donald Trump, will be the 21st deputy... Read More »
DoD takes steps to protect department-funded research
The U.S. Department of Defense recently took action to protect department-funded research from foreign malign influence, intellectual property theft, and other forms of exploitation that threaten the United States’ security and economic interests. These actions are intended to identify... Read More »
CISA retires 10 emergency directives
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced recently that it had retired 10 Emergency Directives issued between 2019 and 2024. The emergency directives had been issued, per statute, to mitigate emerging threats and to minimize impact. Officials said the emergency... Read More »
Secret Service conducted 22 skimming outreach operations nationwide in 2025
The U.S. Secret Service, working with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, conducted 22 Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) fraud and ATM skimming outreach operations nationwide in 2025. Law enforcement visited more than 9,000 businesses during the operations and inspected nearly... Read More »
ICE added 2,000 officers, agents in 2025
In less than a year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hired more than 12,000 officers and agents. The new hires were the result of a nationwide recruitment campaign. “With these new patriots on the team, we will be able to accomplish what many say was impossible and fulfill... Read More »
CACI to provide secure network modernization to U.S. Space Force
CACI International Inc announced it had won a five-year task order to deliver network modernization for the U.S. Space Force. The $212 million order will see the company provide software-defined enterprise-level network modernization for the military branch, for reliable, secure and modernized... Read More »
Two Americans plead guilty to 2023 ransomware scam
Two Americans have pleaded guilty in federal court to extortion through a ransomware attack in 2023. The two men entered their guilty pleas in federal court in the Southern District of Florida for conspiring to delay or affect commerce through extortion in connection with ransomware attacks.... Read More »
FEMA awards $250M to states hosting FIFA World Cup
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded $250 million in Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Program grants to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and National Capital Region events. The region is hosting America 250 national events. “We knew we... Read More »
Legislation would make the United States more prepared for UAS threats
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would strengthen the United States’ ability to counter emerging threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The Detecting and Evaluating Foreign Exploitation of Novel Drones (DEFEND) Act would direct the Department of... Read More »