Policy
Barletta bill to improve law enforcement access to secure information sharing facilities
A bill that requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to maintain an inventory of facilities certified to store classified information and enhance information sharing amongst law enforcement entities was recently advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, the... Read More »House Committee marks 9/11 anniversary with 10-year progress report of Homeland Security
As the nation gathered to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, this week, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered a review of the Department of Homeland Security’s progress over the past decade. Analyzing 10 specific mandates, including... Read More »
Rep. Pittenger urges Treasury to consider sanctions against Qatar-based terrorism financiers
Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC), vice chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, recently sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin urging the exploration of sanctions against Qatar-based terrorism financiers. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), David... Read More »
GAO report examines US efforts to fight narcotics-related money laundering
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report exploring U.S. efforts to stop profits from drug trafficking from entering financial systems in the Western Hemisphere through money laundering. The report describes U.S. agency oversight and monitoring of compliance with the... Read More »
IAEA nuclear experts complete security advisory mission to China
A team of nuclear security experts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently completed an advisory trip to the People’s Republic of China at the behest of its government for an examination of the country’s nuclear security apparatus. Under the IAEA’s Physical Protection... Read More »
NNSA needs to develop cost estimates, schedule for new uranium processing project, GAO says
A complete scope of work is needed to develop timely cost and schedule information for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) uranium program, according to a recently published report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). As part of the FY2013 National Defense... Read More »
McSally bill to reauthorize Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism advances committee
A bill, authored by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), that aims to protect global supply chains against terrorist activities by reauthorizing and modernizing the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) recently advanced the House Homeland Security Committee. First established as... Read More »
Amendment to fully fund NBACC advances House
The U.S. House of Representatives recently advanced an amendment authored by U.S. Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) to fully fund the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC), reversing a decision by the Trump Administration to eliminate funding for the center in its proposed FY2018... Read More »
Feasibility study for modernization of Arizona’s Douglas Port of Entry receives funding
The General Services Administration (GSA) recently informed U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) that it provided funding for a feasibility study of the modernization of the Douglas Port of Entry (POE) for fiscal year 2017. “GSA is taking a major step towards making the Douglas modernization... Read More »
Sen. Tester secures $5 million for state-based border security efforts
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) recently secured $5 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist Montana-based law enforcement agencies in their efforts to strengthen security along the state’s 540-mile international border with Canada. "Terrorists and criminals will find... Read More »
OPCW holds internship program for implementing Chemical Weapons Convention legislation into national laws
Legal representatives from Ghana, Djibouti, and Benin recently participated in an Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-sponsored internship program aimed at providing insight for drafting country-specific national legislation related to the implementation of the Chemical... Read More »NNSA team conducts radiological training exercise aboard Maersk container ship
Scientists, engineers, and technicians from the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Nuclear/Radiological Advisory Team (NRAT) recently conducted advanced maritime training aboard the Maersk Detroit in order to expand their advanced shipboard operational skill sets while on the... Read More »
Japan Air Self-Defense Force joins US Marine Corps for Patriot missile defense testing
In a unique opportunity for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), members of the 2nd Air Defense Missile Group were invited to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) deployment training this week. “We conduct many exercises with our partners in... Read More »
Alabama Dept. of Public Health launching infectious disease response network
The Alabama Department of Public Health recently announced the launch of a serious infectious disease response network in order to help identify and respond to potential outbreaks as they occur. According to Mary McIntyre, chief medical officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, the... Read More »
International conference seeks to strengthen global collaboration on intellectual property crime
The 11th annual International Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference, held this week in New York, aims to increase international partnerships to prevent intellectual property crime and form enforcement strategies. The event was co-hosted by INTERPOL and the National Intellectual Property Rights... Read More »
Interpol hosts capacity building training event for southeast Asian nations in Singapore
A five-day training course aimed at building the capacity of countries in southeast Asia to address border management issues tied to illicit immigration and human trafficking was recently hosted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) at its Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI)... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security holds hiring event for veterans
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently held a two-day hiring event in an effort to employ hundreds of veterans for both mission critical and support positions. Thousands of veterans attended the event, called Continue Your Service to America. “Hiring veterans is a top priority... Read More »
AIA offers recommendations to reduce government security clearance backlog
In the wake of reports that an estimated 700,000 federal civilians, military personnel, and industry employees cannot perform their duties as a result of a backlog for security clearance background checks, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) issued a series of recommendations in order to... Read More »
Lawmakers urge investigation, possible sanctions of Iran Air for transporting militants to Syria using commercial aircraft
Following the publication of a series of photos that depicted Iranian-backed militants aboard an Iran Air commercial aircraft, a group of U.S. congressmen sent a public letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin requesting his department re-sanction Iran Air if found guilty of transporting military... Read More »
Sen. Schatz, Rep. Pallone call for GAO review of cybersecurity in wake of reported FCC attack
In the wake of a reported cyberattack on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) electronic comment filing system, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) recently called upon the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent review on... Read More »
Report from former Energy Secretary lays out critical defense of US nuclear industry
While some claim nuclear power is past date, former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz published a report last week that claims the commercial nuclear energy industry remains vital to national defense and must be supported. The report, “The U.S. Nuclear Energy Enterprise: A Key National Security... Read More »
House Committee on Homeland Security set to hold hearings on domestic terrorism in wake of Charlottesville attack
In response to the recent domestic terrorist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia by a reported white supremacist, 12 Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee sent a public letter on August 15 to Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) urging the committee to hold hearings... Read More »
INTERPOL conducts training course on countering terrorist use of social media
The International Police Organization (INTERPOL) recently conducted a first-of-its-kind specialized training course for law enforcement in the Middle East and North Africa on countering the use of social media for terrorist activities. The program aimed to improve methods for identifying and... Read More »
Kansas to become 14th state to opt-in to nationwide public safety broadband network
Gov. Sam Brownback (R-KS) recently announced that the state of Kansas will become the 14th state in the country to opt-in to the nationwide public safety broadband network that is currently being developed by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) and AT&T. As part of the agreement,... Read More »
US agencies join Turkish counterparts for training in combating nuclear smuggling
Representatives of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) worked with the Turkish National Police last month to provide radiation detection systems and training. Their goal was to enhance capabilities to detect smuggled nuclear and... Read More »
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to recognize Reis for contributions to nuclear security
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC recently announced that it would recognize Victor Reis for his contributions to nuclear security with the John S. Foster Jr. Medal. Reis retired from his role as senior adviser in the Office of the Secretary and Undersecretaries at the U.S. Department... Read More »
Bioterrorism threats require common global experimentation oversight, expert says
Without an internationally standardized approval process to guide countries in conducting public health-related experiments, resurrecting an eradicated disease in the lab increases the risk it could be used as an agent of bioterrorism, says Dr. Tom Inglesby, who is recognized worldwide in the... Read More »
Congressman highlights progress implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations
Marking the 10th anniversary of legislation enacting 9/11 Commission recommendations, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) highlighted progress in shoring up national security — and mandates that have not been fully implemented. Thompson, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security... Read More »
INTERPOL and Palo Alto Networks to collaborate on preventing, combating cybercrime
The International Police Organization (INTERPOL) and Palo Alto Networks recently signed an agreement at the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) in Singapore that will increase collaboration between the two organizations on cybercrime issues. The agreement provides a framework for... Read More »Bill to strengthen border security infrastructure, enhance personnel efforts
A bill that aims to increase the resources available at the nation’s borders, boost trade through ports of entry, and strengthen the enforcement of existing laws was recently introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Cornyn (R-TX), and John Barrasso (R-WY). “The first... Read More »
DHS develops threat assessment of US-Canada border
A report that details the current threat landscape along the U.S.-Canada border and provides an assessment on threats across the air, land, and maritime domains was recently delivered to Congress by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The report’s publication was mandated as part... Read More »
Bill to increase transparency of ownership of shell corporations to cut down on financial crimes
A bipartisan bill that aims to prevent individuals from using anonymous shell corporations to engage in illicit activities such as fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing or sex trafficking was recently introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). “For... Read More »
Governments, Silicon Valley faces problems in combating terrorist exploitation of cyberspace, cybersecurity expert says
The United Kingdom’s Home Secretary Amber Rudd is set to face an uphill battle this week as she meets with leading tech companies in Silicon Valley to discuss issues related to terrorist exploitation of information and communications technologies (ICT), according to a recent blog from David P.... Read More »
Senate advances legislation to extend grants for first responders
The U.S. Senate advanced legislation Wednesday that would reauthorize grant programs that provide funds for training, equipment and staffing to fire and emergency services personnel. The bill, co-sponsored by John McCain (R-AZ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE),... Read More »