Policy
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 »
November Terror Threat Snapshot highlights increased threats during holiday season
Efforts to enhance vetting of travelers to the United States, to intercept ISIS fighters fleeing Syria and Iraq, and to remain vigilant of “homegrown violent extremists” highlighted a Terror Threat Snapshot released by the House Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday. Key developments... Read More »
ATF, Department of Justice initiate rulemaking process to review, restrict legality of bump stocks
The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Department of Justice (DoJ) initiated a regulatory process on Tuesday to determine if bump stocks are illegal under federal prohibitions on machineguns. The ATF has submitted an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to the Office of... Read More »
US losing ground in artificial intelligence race
With billions of dollars flowing into a focus on artificial intelligence, China poses both a military and commercial threat to the United States where artificial intelligence is concerned, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. While the exact amounts invested remain hazy, experts dub... Read More »
NATO agrees to purchase Enhanced Laser Guided Training Rounds from Lockheed Martin for member countries
Lockheed Martin and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) recently signed a five-year agreement for NATO to purchase Enhanced Laser Guided Training Rounds (ELGTRs) on behalf of member countries. Under the agreement, which is in effect through 2021,... Read More »
Senate bill would establish criminal penalties for corporate employees concealing data breaches
Businesses would have to adhere to new customer notification requirements for data breaches under a bill introduced in the Senate on Thursday, and corporate employees could face new criminal penalties for deliberately concealing breaches. Democratic members of the Senate Commerce, Science and... Read More »
Modernization of Douglas Port of Entry advances with GSA’s naming of contractor
Efforts to modernize the Douglas Port of Entry in southeastern Arizona advanced on Friday with the General Services Administration (GSA) awarding a contract to Tuscon-based architectural firm Line and Space to conduct a feasibility study. The feasibility study will aim to evaluate and identify... Read More »
Military leaders warn US space dominance could be lost without action
With U.S. adversaries making steady gains in space capabilities in the decades following the first Gulf War, military leaders called for swifter action to secure U.S. space dominance and for reforms to procurement processes on Saturday. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Gen. John... Read More »
Acting DHS secretary voices support for ending Diversity Visa Lottery Program
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Director Elaine Duke testified before a House committee on Thursday that the Diversity Visa Lottery Program is “rife with fraud,” backing a bill that would eliminate the program. During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Duke said that... Read More »
Romania agrees to purchase Raytheon’s Patriot missile defense system
Romania agreed to purchase Raytheon Co.’s Patriot integrated air and missile defense system from the U.S. Army on Wednesday, a move that sets the stage for contract negotiations between Raytheon and the U.S. government. Under the letter of offer and acceptance that the Romanian government... Read More »
NNSA’s Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team leads strategic preparedness training event in Hawaii
The National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) team recently led three days of training on countering a potential nuclear threat for more than 70 local, state, and federal responders in Hawaii. RAP held the event at the request of the state of... Read More »
House committee to markup bill revising intelligence gathering under FISA
A provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) used by the intelligence community to gather intelligence on terrorists located outside the United States would be amended under a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The FISA Amendments Reauthorization... Read More »
Bills aiming to crackdown on money laundering, financing of illicit activities subject of subcommittee hearing
Witnesses testified before a House subcommittee on Wednesday about the impact that two bills would have on efforts to eliminate access to banks by terrorist organizations, human traffickers, and drug cartels. The Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit and Terrorism and Illicit Finance... Read More »
National security executives offer dire forecasts during Homeland Security Committee hearing
Top executives of the government’s national security agencies offered troubling assessments of the growing threats from terrorism, both internationally and domestically, during a congressional hearing on Thursday. “Today, the magnitude of the threat we face from terrorism is equal to, and in... Read More »