Policy
OPCW completes first training course for analytical chemists working in customs services
Ten analytical chemists who work in laboratories that support or have plans to support customs services around the world recently completed an Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) training course in the Netherlands. The inaugural training course, which was held from Dec.... Read More »
Senators introduce bill to enhance election security
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators recently introduced a bill to improve election security and protect against foreign interference in U.S. elections. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Lindsey Graham... Read More »
FEMA would place greater emphasis on pre-disaster planning under approved House bill
The House of Representatives approved legislation last week that would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to place a greater emphasis on pre-disaster planning and mitigation. The bill, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA), was approved as part of a larger emergency... Read More »
Joint report finds 94 percent all aliens in custody found to be unlawfully present
As part of their required by executive order, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have released a quarterly Alien Incarceration Report, in which they found 94 percent of confirmed aliens in custody are unlawfully present. Additionally, they determined that... Read More »
Senate bill would extend authorities of Counterterrorism Advisory Board for four years
Authorities of the Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB), which coordinates the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) various intelligence, operational and policy-making functions, would be extended for four years under bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate last week. Established... Read More »
Many state bioterrorism countermeasures are lagging, report finds
Waning U.S. federal and state funding for public health over the last 15 years has left many states ill-prepared to respond to acts of bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, according to a recent report by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). The annual report,... Read More »
CBP announces measures to streamline processing of holiday travelers at Laredo Port of Entry
The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Office of Field Operations at the Laredo Port of Entry announced measures being taken to accommodate an expected influx of travelers during the holiday season on Wednesday. Travelers are encouraged to apply for I-94 tourist permits online ahead of time. The... Read More »
Engility Holdings to provide chemical, biological defense expertise under new DoD contract
The Department of Defense (DoD) recently granted Engility Holdings Inc. a position on the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) Joint Enterprise Research Development Acquisition and Procurement Omnibus contract. JPEO-CBD manages the military’s... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee chair calls on DHS to address terrorists’ abuse of encryption technology
Citing widely available encryption technologies that can be used by terrorists, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) recently renewed his call for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to convene an advisory panel to help better understand the challenges at hand. McCaul, the chairman of the... Read More »
Seven inspectors join OPCW Inspectorate Division after completion of intensive training course
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) welcomed Monday seven inspectors to its staff during a graduation ceremony held at OPCW headquarters in the Hague, Netherlands. The recruits, who previously worked as chemical production technologists and analytical chemist... Read More »
Federal jury convicts former police officer of attempting to aid ISIS
A former police officer from Fairfax, Virginia, accused of providing ISIS members with gift card codes that could be used to communicate with potential recruits was convicted on Monday of attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization. Nicholas Young, 38, was working as a... Read More »
House Republicans call for report on alleged leaks of information related to Russian election meddling
A group of Republican lawmakers raised questions on Monday about allegations that members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) improperly communicated information about the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. In a letter to leaders of the... Read More »
House bill would support local, state efforts to modernize 9-1-1 call centers
Additional federal funding, technical support, and training would be made available to ease state and local governments’ transition to next-generation technology in 9-1-1 call centers under a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Monday. The Next Generation (NG) 9-1-1 Act of... Read More »
Senate bill would require establishment of land-based alternative to GPS satellite timing signals
In an effort to ensure the reliability and resilience of timing systems used by civilians and the military, a bill recently introduced in the Senate would direct the secretary of transportation to establish a land-based alternative timing system to GPS satellites. Under the National Timing... Read More »
National Association of Secretaries of State calls on Congress to modernize state election systems
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) recently joined the Congressional Task Force on Election Security in calling on Congress to direct $396 million in existing funds to modernize aging election systems across the country. Congress authorized nearly $3.9 billion to help... Read More »
OPCW undertakes rapid response training in Romania
Members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) gathered in Romania last week as part of a rapid response and assistance training exercise based around chemical attacks. The Rapid Response and Assistance Mission, of which this was a part, was created in 2016 as an aid... Read More »
DHS announces new requirements for visa waiver program countries to shore up security
Countries taking part in the visa waiver program (VWP) will now be required to better screen travelers, to implement aviation safeguards and to administer public education campaigns to reduce visa overstays, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday. DHS also called on... Read More »
House approves bill to enhance oversight of Iranian aircraft purchases from US manufacturers
The treasury secretary would be required to report to Congress financial transactions related Iran’s purchase of commercial passenger aircraft from U.S. manufacturers under a bill that the House of Representatives approved on Thursday. Under the Obama administration's nuclear agreement with... Read More »
DHS, EAC, and election industry representatives to launch Sector Coordinating Council
Election industry representatives recently met with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and representatives from the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in Arlington, Virginia, to launch the formation an industry-led Sector Coordinating Council (SCC). The council will support critical... Read More »
GAO finds surface transportation security fails to prioritize risk, clearly define objectives
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a series of recommendations on Thursday that aim to improve Transportation Security Administration (TSA) surface transportation security inspections for freight rail, passenger rail, and maritime activities. GAO conducted the review in light of... Read More »
Exercises demonstrate communications interoperability between US, Canadian first responders
First responders from the United States and Canada recently took part in a training exercise that demonstrated communications interoperability between the two countries if disaster strikes on or near the border. The fifth Canada-U.S. Enhanced Resiliency Experiment (CAUSE V) was held in November... Read More »
Marines, sailors undergo specialized training on chemical, biological weapons attacks
Just a week after an international coalition carried out airstrikes on an ISIS chemical weapons facilities, marines and sailors took part in a three-day course on combating, adapting to and overcoming chemical and biological contaminations from Dec. 5-8. The course was administered by Corps... Read More »
Congressional caucus launched to advance Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission
A bipartisan congressional caucus launched on Tuesday will work to bolster the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which fortifies national security through 24/7 operations around that world that supply military leaders with real-time information. U.S. Reps. Don Bacon... Read More »
Middle Eastern, North African first responders train for chemical incidents in Qatar
A multinational effort from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region drew first responders to Qatar this week to bolster their emergency response and protection skills in the field. The large-scale event was hosted by Qatar’s National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW)... Read More »
New tools to protect against vehicular attacks would be developed under House bill
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate would be tasked with developing new tools and safeguards to protect against vehicular terrorist attacks under a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) introduced the... Read More »
Houston man charged with supporting ISIS after online FBI sting
A Houston man who allegedly told undercover FBI agents that he planned to fight for ISIS or carry out a domestic terrorist attack on the group’s behalf in online conversations was arrested by federal agents on Dec. 8. Kaan Sercan Damlarkaya, 18, is charged with unlawfully distributing... Read More »
Whistleblower leaks document outlining Trump Administration’s planned cuts to counterterrorism programs
A report released by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday outlines the Trump administration’s planned cuts to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) counterterrorism programs. The Administration plans to eliminate Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response... Read More »
Preemption services now available for FirstNet primary users in opt-in states
First responders in states that opted into FirstNet can now use preemption services to prioritize mission-critical communications during emergencies, the First Responder Network Authority announced on Tuesday. In addition to prioritizing the communications of primary users like firefighters,... Read More »Port Authority of NY/NJ leadership praises officers’ response to explosion in passageway
The chair and executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commended four Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) officers Monday for their actions following an explosion in a passageway near the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT). “Thanks to the quick response of these... Read More »
Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum draws leaders from 53 countries
Topics related to terrorism financing and cybersecurity issues highlighted at the recent Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum, a multinational gathering that drew government, diplomatic, intelligence and industry leaders from 53 countries. Hosted by U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC), the... Read More »
Bill establishing new DHS agency for cybersecurity, infrastructure protection clears House
The House of Representatives approved legislation on Monday that would recalibrate the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity and infrastructure security functions by establishing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), a standalone organization. Under the Cybersecurity... Read More »DHS releases FY2017 border security statistics for New England
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced its end-of-year immigration enforcement numbers for New England for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). “CBP officers at the ports of entry throughout New England are committed to enforcing the border security laws of our nation, which... Read More »
INTERPOL convenes conference on biometric data
The Fingerprints unit of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) recently held the first INTERPOL Fingerprint and Face Symposium, which brought together approximately 125 experts on fingerprint examination and facial recognition from 58 countries in Lyon, France. Speakers at... Read More »
Sen. McCaskill highlights local impact of proposed counterterrorism program cuts
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the FBI testified before a Senate panel on Friday about evolving international terrorist threats and the impact of $582.8 million in proposed cuts to counterterrorism programs. U.S. Sen. Claire... Read More »