Policy
Moore named permanent director of Army’s Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
After serving as the acting director of the Army’s Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) since May, Eric Moore was named the permanent director of ECBC by Maj. Gen. Cedric Williams effective Oct. 29. ECBC is tasked with research and development efforts related to non-medical components of... Read More »
President signs bill reauthorizing nationwide task force programs that help protect children, prosecute online predators
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force will continue its efforts help state and local police departments and prosecutors prevent, investigate and respond to technology-enabled crimes against children under a bill signed into law on Friday. Established in 2008, the ICAC Task... Read More »
Senators aim to boost federal investments in Next Generation 911 technology
Existing federal grant programs would be expanded to help state and local governments deploy modern 911 systems that enable citizens to text for help and send audio, text or video files during emergencies under legislation introduced on Thursday. The Next Generation 911 Act of 2017, which was... Read More »
GAO warns of need to strengthen pathogen research lab oversight in wake of safety incidents
The labs working to protect the United States from hazardous pathogens are themselves in need of oversight updates, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), owing to several lapses in safety. The labs in question--overseen by the Federal Select Agent Program--amount to more... Read More »
Recent WPA2 protocol vulnerability highlights critical need for information sharing, according to DHS
A vulnerability recently identified in the Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) protocol that secures most wireless network traffic highlights the critical nature of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) information sharing, according to a recent DHS release. Jeanette Manfra, the assistant... Read More »
President signs bill formally authorizing National Computer Forensics Institute
State and local law enforcers will continue to receive specialized training to incorporate cyber and digital tools into criminal investigations following the President’s signed a bill last week that formally authorizes the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI). The NCFI has trained... Read More »
Emerging threats to air cargo prompts legislation to enhance screening, partnerships
Under a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Thursday, 3D imaging technology and stronger public-private partnerships would be leveraged to enhance Transportation Security Administration (TSA) air cargo security protocols. The Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017, H.R.... Read More »
Infectious Diseases Society of America opposes House bill seeking to eliminate Prevention and Public Health Fund
A federal fund that helps state and local efforts to detect and respond to disease outbreaks, supports immunization and critical health responses is at risk of legislative elimination, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). The bill that would do so--the CHAMPION Act--is... Read More »
Half of states commit to FirstNet, committee hears concerns about tight state deadlines
The first nationwide public safety broadband network, known as FirstNet, secured partnership commitments from about half of the states and two U.S. territories by the end of October, according to testimony before a congressional panel on Wednesday. Members of the House Energy and Commerce... Read More »
Effort to enhance health care system’s cybersecurity capabilities relaunches in House
A bill reintroduced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday would better equip the U.S. Department Health and Human Services’ (HHS) to address cyber threats to the health care system following recent malware attacks like WannaCry and NotPetya. U.S. Reps. Billy Long (R-PA) and Doris... Read More »
CBP announces 30 public-private partnerships under Reimbursable Services Program
Thirty private sector and government stakeholders would reimburse U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for providing additional cross-border trade and travel inspection services under tentative partnership agreements announced on Tuesday. The Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) was launched... Read More »
Senate bill aims to secure state voting systems against security threats
State-run election systems would be deemed critical infrastructure, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be enlisted to protect registration data, voting systems, and ballots from foreign interference, under bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate on Tuesday. The Securing... Read More »
US Border Patrol announces new Chief Patrol Agent of the Del Rio Sector
U.S. Border Patrol announced Tuesday the appointment of Felix Chavez as the new Chief Patrol Agent of the Del Rio Sector, effective Oct. 29. As Chief Patrol Agent, Chavez will manage nine stations and more than 1,500 agents and support staff. He will also oversee 210 miles of border and over... Read More »
Homeland Security Committee holds field hearing on port security
Members of U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee held a field hearing last week on port security at the Port of Los Angeles. The hearing, titled Examining Physical Security and Cybersecurity at our Nation’s Ports, included testimony from representatives from the Coast... Read More »
OPCW Director-General Üzümcü addresses International Council of Chemical Associations in Vienna
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü recently gave a speech at the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) in Vienna, Austria, to highlight the organization’s cooperation with industry as it works to complete the destruction of... Read More »
GAO identifies mission, membership overlaps within DHS emergency communications organization
A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that there is an overlap in the missions and membership within a number of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emergency communications organizations because each of them promotes interoperable emergency... Read More »
Sen. Markey, Rep. Lieu introduce legislation to create Internet of Things cybersecurity certification program
Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) recently introduced bicameral legislation that would create a voluntary cybersecurity certification program for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. “The IoT will also stand for the Internet of Threats unless we put in place appropriate... Read More »
New Michigan law assigns cybersecurity volunteers to network security assistance during cyber attacks
Though the state of Michigan first established a Cyber Civilian Corps back in 2013, a new law signed last week will allow those volunteers to service a broader range of entities in need of crisis assistance. The bill was appropriately dubbed the Cyber Civilian Corps Act by its introducers, state... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection announces completion of border wall prototypes
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that the six companies tasked with building prototypes for a southern border wall completed construction in San Diego, California. CBP will now test and evaluate the eight prototypes over a 30 to 60-day period to determine which... Read More »
Bill to improve American security for commercial flights at Cuban airports introduced in Senate
A bill that aims to strengthen American security at airports in Cuba and on commercial flights between the two countries was recently introduced to the Senate by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). The Cuban Airport Security Act would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to... Read More »
Bipartisan House delegation visits last point of departure airports in Jordan, Germany
A bipartisan delegation led by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), chairman of the House Homeland Security’s Transportation and Protective Security Subcommittee, continued their visitation this week at last point of departure airports in Jordan and Germany. The delegation toured the Queen Alia... Read More »
Senators introduce bill to expand checks for sale or transfer of firearms
A group of 28 Senators led by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) to require private sellers to conduct background checks for the sale or transfer of firearms, with certain exceptions. The requirements of the Background Check Expansion Act would apply to all unlicensed sellers, whether they sell firearms... Read More »
White House announces updated security measures for refugees entering the United States
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the implementation of updated security measures for refugees entering the United States, including, but not limited to, increased data collection, improved information sharing between agencies, and new training procedures for screeners. The changes come... Read More »
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee examines federal response efforts in wake of recent hurricanes
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing Tuesday to examine the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) preparedness for and response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The hearing follows a recent bipartisan... Read More »
House advances bill to provide chemical detection devices to combat illicit fentanyl trade
A bipartisan bill that seeks to combat the growing opioid epidemic in the United States was advanced this week by the U.S. House of Representatives. Authored by U.S. Reps. Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting... Read More »
Bill to strengthen information sharing at the nation’s ports advanced by House
A bill that seeks to improve information sharing and cooperation in addressing cybersecurity risks at the nation’s ports was recently unanimously advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives. Authored by U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), the Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and... Read More »
Defense Secretary Mattis meets with ASEAN counterparts to discuss defense, security challenges
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and his 10 counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus met Monday at the former Clark Air Base in the Philippines to discuss mutual security challenges and their multilateral defense cooperation. Mattis... Read More »Center for Health Security releases scenario book regarding medical countermeasures in a pandemic
The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security recently introduced a self-guided exercise scenario to help public health communicators and risk communication researchers prepare for transmission dilemmas they could face during a pandemic. The SPARS Pandemic scenario book features the outbreak of... Read More »
NGA project aims to prevent acts of violent extremism in US
The National Governors Association (NGA) recently announced the launch of a project aimed at preventing acts of violent extremism in throughout the United States. Developed through a two-year training and engagement grant provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the project... Read More »
Rep. Jenkins introduces bill to create interagency task force to combat illicit fentanyl, heroin trafficking
A bill that establishes an interagency task force of federal law enforcement agencies to help eradicate the illicit trade of fentanyl and heroin throughout the United States was recently introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-WV). The bill, titled the... Read More »
House advances bill to reauthorize CBP’s cargo vetting program
A bill that seeks to reauthorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) cargo vetting program for the first time in eleven years was recently advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives. Authored by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), the... Read More »
Sen. King presses need for national cyber defense plan
During a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) prodded federal officials on the nation’s cyberdefenses and the need for a national doctrine for deterrence of cyber attacks. Witnesses included Christopher Krebs, the senior official undertaking duties of... Read More »
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security advances collaboration with foreign leaders on combatting terrorism
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke recently met with foreign leaders in the United Kingdom and at a G7 meeting in Italy to advance collaborative efforts to fight terrorism. Duke first traveled to London where she met with UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd and other top officials from... Read More »
OPCW Executive Council recommends next director-general for appointment
The Eighty-Sixth Session of the Executive Council (EC) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently reached a consensus recommendation for the next Director-General of the OPCW Technical Secretariat to be appointed. The EC recommended that the Twenty-Second... Read More »