Policy
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 »
Senate HELP Committee likely to approve Kadlec as nominee for preparedness and response at HHS
Dr. Robert Kadlec of Alexandria, Virginia, who was nominated last month by President Donald Trump to be assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is expected to be approved on Wednesday by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and... Read More »
Report outlines challenges to implementing Trump’s immigration, border hiring order
A recent special report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified challenges to implementing the immigration and border officer hiring surge mandated by President Trump’s Executive Orders. In January, President Trump ordered DHS to hire an... Read More »
DHS issues waiver to expedite process of border security measures near San Diego
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a waiver this week regarding specific legal requirements and regulations in order to ensure the expedited construction of physical barriers and roads within the vicinity of the U.S. international border near San Diego, California. According... Read More »
Rep. McSally bill reauthorizes, modernizes global supply chain security program for ports of entry
A bill that aims to increase security and decrease wait times at the nation’s ports of entry was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ). The legislation specifically addresses issues with the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, a global... Read More »
Rep. McCaul introduces expansive border security enhancement bill
Legislation that aims to address a variety of issues related to illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking, law enforcement officer safety, and overall security along the nation’s international borders was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX).... Read More »Unnecessary use of social security numbers persist in federal government, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a new report that found that use of social security numbers (SSNs) in the federal government is still widespread despite requirements to eliminate the unnecessary collection and use of SSNs. House Ways and Means Social Security... Read More »
Regional meeting held to discuss implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention among African State Parties
Representatives of National Authorities from African State Parties recently convened at a regional meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Banjul, Gambia to discuss successes and challenges related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention... Read More »Bill to deploy new technology to help secure southern US border introduced in House
A bill that mandates the deployment of practical and effective security technologies in order to achieve full situational awareness of the southern U.S. border with Mexico was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), David Valadao (R-CA), Steve Knight... Read More »
West Virginia to become seventh state to opt-in to FirstNet’s nationwide public safety broadband network
Gov. Jim Justice (D-WV) recently announced that West Virginia will become the seventh 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 »
Bolster U.S. missile defense system, ‘massively retaliate’ if needed, Sen. Sullivan says
An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch on Friday by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un that landed roughly 200 miles from Japan’s coast, and reports this week that North Korea was threatening an ICBM strike against the United States, are fresh warnings that the country continues to... Read More »
OPCW director calls for ethics in science during Australia visit
Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, the director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), recently visited Australia to meet with leaders of various agencies to discuss continued efforts to prevent the use of chemical weapons. “Every science holds the potential for... Read More »
Rep. McSally introduces bill to require DHS threat assessment for southwest border
A bill that directs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a full mile-by-mile analysis of threats to the nation’s southern international border with Mexico was recently introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ). The bill, titled the Southwest Border... Read More »
Reps. Pallone, Engel call for Trump Administration to fully staff CDC
U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) recently called upon the Trump Administration to immediately staff up the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cautioning that neglecting the agency presented a grave risk to both global health and the nation’s... Read More »
New Sandia National Lab Fellowship named after first female nuclear security lab director
Sandia National Laboratories established this week a new fellowship program, which it named after Jill Hruby, its immediate past director and the first woman to direct a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory. The Jill Hruby Fellowship Program will provide postdoctoral candidates... Read More »
Representatives urge Secretary Tillerson not to close cybersecurity office
Following reports that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to close the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues (S/CCI), a group of U.S. representatives sent him a letter urging him not to do so. The S/CCI office organizes responses to cyber threats, mitigates... Read More »Hearing addresses technology’s role in mitigating illicit activity along southwest border
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) recently chaired a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee to examine the role that technology plays in predicting, deterring, and detecting illicit activity along the nation’s southern border with Mexico. The hearing comes as U.S. Customs and Border... Read More »Anti-human trafficking groups applaud Justice Department’s criminal inquiry into Backpage.com
A number of leading anti-human trafficking organizations are applauding a recommendation made by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) conduct a criminal inquiry of Backpage.com over concerns that the website is facilitating acts of human trafficking. On... Read More »
Hawaii to receive $6.1 million from CDC to support public health emergency preparedness efforts
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently awarded a total of $6,125,363 to the Hawaii Department of Public Health (DOH) to support its Disease Outbreak Control Division’s Public Health Preparedness Branch to help address a variety of public health threats and emergencies.... Read More »
Bill to improve data collection in officer-involved fatal incidents introduced in Senate
A bill that would require states that receive federal funds for law enforcement programs to properly document all relevant details surrounding an officer-related shooting that result in the death of a civilian was recently introduced to the Senate by U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chuck Grassley... Read More »
FirstNet agrees to fully explore tribal concerns, execute long-term staffing plan
The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), which is charged with establishing a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders, should more fully address the concerns voiced by tribal stakeholders and proactively develop a long-term staffing plan as the public-safety project... Read More »
House advances first Homeland Security reauthorization bill in department’s history
A bill that reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies for the first time since its inception in 2002 recently advanced the U.S. House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 386-41. The legislation’s introduction stems from a memorandum of understanding... Read More »
Savannah River Tritium Facility triples extraction capacity
A National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) tritium extraction facility in South Carolina recently surpassed its own mining records by conducting three extractions in fiscal year 2017. Tritium is a radioactive component that is critical to the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Previously, the... Read More »
No valid evidence supporting TSA’s list of behavioral indicators for dangerous persons, GAO reports
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not have valid evidence to support the effectiveness of its list of behavioral indicators for individuals who may post a threat to aviation security, according to a recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).... Read More »
FEMA awards Phoenix $1.5 million in terrorism prevention grant funds
The City of Phoenix. Arizona received a boon for its terrorism preparedness efforts last week with the announcement that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be providing them $1,565,000 in grant funds for that purpose. The funds were provided through the 2016 Complex Coordinated... Read More »
Battelle receives $13 million contract to assist CBRNE teams to combat weapons of mass destruction
Battelle recently received a Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Homeland Defense and Security Technical Area Task (HD TAT) award with a total value of $13,781,575 to support the National Guard Bureau’s (NGB) Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Division initiative. The... Read More »