Policy
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 »
US, Mexico launch pilot program to collect biographic information on travelers at San Ysidro-El Chapparral Port of Entry
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) recently launched a pilot program to collect and share biographic information on pedestrians leaving the United States for Mexico at the San Ysidro-El Chaparral Port of Entry. The Joint Pedestrian Land... Read More »
House panel explores US ability to counter weapons of mass destruction
Leaders of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) testified before a congressional panel on Thursday about the United States’ ability to counter weapons of mass destruction and additional emerging threats. U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), the chairman of the House Homeland Security... Read More »
International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification defines a Phase II program of work
The International Partnership for Nuclear Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) defined a Phase II program of work to increase the scope of its activities at its fifth plenary meeting recently held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Phase II aims to emphasize the importance of verification ahead of the... Read More »
DHS announces establishment of new Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office
A new Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will consolidate the efforts to thwart and counter WMD attacks, the department announced on Thursday. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced the creation of the CWMD Office, which will... Read More »
DHS consolidation of chemical, radiological, nuclear, explosives functions advancing without key recommendations, GAO says
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal to begin consolidation of chemical, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) functions this month does not reflect recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in August 2016. Congress directed DHS to review its weapons... Read More »
Congress probes new office within DHS to counter diverse threat of weapons of mass destruction
A witness at a House subcommittee hearing on Thursday identified drone delivery of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as one of the newest threats to homeland security, as lawmakers examined a proposal to reorganize and enhance U.S. defenses against weapons of mass destruction. The... Read More »
US Customs and Border Protection reports increase in unreported currency, cocaine seized in South Texas in fiscal year 2017
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported on Wednesday significant increases in seizures of cocaine and unreported currency at eight South Texas ports of entry in fiscal year (FY) 2017 as compared to FY2016. CBP officers at the eight ports of entry from Brownsville to Del Rio that... Read More »
Government agencies’ use of Kaspersky Labs products subject of congressional inquiry
U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) requested information this week about how many government agencies have complied with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive to identify Kaspersky Labs software on government computers and to plan for its removal. DHS Binding Operational Directive (BOD)... Read More »
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network launches program to enhance information sharing with financial institutions
The United States Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) launched a program this week to improve information sharing with financial institutions. The FinCEN Exchange program will include regular briefings with financial institutions to share information on... Read More »
House bill would modernize Medicare identification cards with chip technology
Legislation introduced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday would add chip technology to Medicare identification cards to better protect seniors and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. Under the Medicare Common Access Card (CAC) Act, Medicare cards would use the same chip technology that... Read More »
House Foreign Affairs Committee urge CDC, NIH to lead investigation into attacks on US Embassy in Cuba
Bipartisan leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Tuesday to lead the investigation into sonic attacks on personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba. The State Department... Read More »
Panel discussion focuses on Russia’s perspective on potential nuclear conflict
A forum hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last week focused on the risk of nuclear conflict from Russia’s perspective, exploring Russia’s position on topics like tactical nuclear weapons, arms control agreements, and cyberattacks. James Acton, co-director of Carnegie... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security announces end-of-year immigration enforcement numbers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released Tuesday its end-of-year immigration enforcement statistics, which showed historically low border apprehension numbers but an increase in removals. We have clearly seen the successful results of the President’s commitment to supporting the... Read More »