News
Bipartisan legislation would fund cybersecurity education
U.S. Reps Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA), introduced legislation Monday that provides resources to develop cybersecurity education programs at technical schools. The Cybersecurity Education Integration Act would establish a competitive grant program to add cybersecurity into new... Read More »
Nearly 30 national organizations urge immediate federal action on all-hazards, pandemic reauthorization
A coalition of national organizations representing public health, healthcare providers, biotechnology companies, and researchers this week urged congressional leaders to swiftly approve the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act of 2018 before Congress adjourns... Read More »
Cybersecurity Roadmap prioritizes TSA security measures
The Transportation Security Administration released Tuesday its first Cybersecurity Roadmap, a guide that prioritizes the administration’s cybersecurity efforts. The guide highlights efforts both within the TSA and the transportation systems sector. It is part of the 2018-2026 TSA Strategy... Read More »
Sen. Young announces support for criminal justice reform bill
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) announced Tuesday his support for criminal justice reform legislation recently proposed in Congress. The First Step Act (S.3649) would reduce federal recidivism and crime, prepare inmates for a successful return to society, enhance prison security and officer safety,... Read More »
Montana State University leading international project to counter bat-spread diseases
More than 20 scientists from five continents led by Montana State University will study bats in Australia, Bangladesh, Madagascar, and Ghana to research disease prevention. Scientists hope to uncover the complex causes of bat-borne viruses and what has led them to jump to humans, fueling... Read More »
Canada to donate additional CA$10 mil to CEPI for anti-epidemic efforts
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed another 10 million Canadian dollars for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) this week, in an effort to bolster the development of vaccines. The announcement was made following the recent G20 summit and supports that body’s... Read More »
DHS seeks innovative solutions from startups to address digital forgery, counterfeiting
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is reaching out to startups as a means of bolstering anti-forgery and counterfeiting capabilities for digital documentation. The request is being made through a new solicitation, “Preventing Forgery and... Read More »
Soldier sentenced for attempting to provide material aid to ISIS
Army Sgt. First Class Ikaika Erik Kang has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Officials said Kang, 35, formerly stationed at Schofield Barracks, was sentenced to 240 months on Counts 2, 3 and 4 to run... Read More »
US colleges competitively defend energy infrastructure in DOE CyberForce challenge
Teams from 14 colleges and universities throughout the United States competed this week as part of the Department of Energy CyberForce Competition held at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) campus. The competition marks the second held at the PNNL campus. Students had to build and... Read More »
International effort to vaccinate 250 in Burkina Faso typhoid conjugate vaccine study
The Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at the Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS) are launching a vaccine study in Burkina Faso, focused on a typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV). The study represents their second effort in the area... Read More »
Report examines radioactive source security challenges
A new report released by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and Moscow-based Center for Energy and Security Studies (CENESS) maintains that sustained regional dialogue is essential to addressing Central Asia's radioactive source security challenges. “Largely as a result of poor... Read More »
Space launch aids Arctic search, rescue missions
The Coast Guard Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently launched two 6U CubeSats as a means of evaluating the effectiveness of space-based sensors in support of... Read More »
Boeing program completes Phase II receiver certification testing
Boeing’s KC-46 tanker program recently completed planned Phase II receiver certification flight tests. The certification comes after three weeks of flights with F-15E aircraft from Edwards Air Force Base in California. Testing began in April with Boeing and U.S. Air Force KC-46 crews... Read More »
US senators urge Trump not to withdraw from INF Treaty with Russia
Several U.S. senators have expressed concern with President Donald Trump expressed intention to pull the United States out of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is an arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, then... Read More »
DARPA showcases advanced awareness, coordination for small combat units through first Squad X test
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully conducted a test of the Squad X Experimentation program last week, pairing Army and Marine units with autonomous technology. Squad X involves an integrated system that boosted the coordination, threat detection and combat... Read More »
AAR secures more than $50M maintenance, logistics support services contract for US Marshals Service prisoner transport aircraft
AAR recently secured a five-year, $51 million U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) contract to perform support services for Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System Boeing 737 series aircraft. The agreement covers maintenance and logistical work for the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation... Read More »
Cybersecurity strengthening measure gains House advancement
House lawmakers recently advanced the Federal CIO Authorization Act of 2018, which officials said strengthens national cybersecurity by elevating and reauthorizing the role of the Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO). House IT Subcommittee Chair Will Hurd (R-TX) and Ranking Member Robin Kelly... Read More »
New CBP deputy chief patrol agent appointed for New York, Pennsylvania ports of entry
Andrew Scharnweber, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol, was selected in late November as Deputy Chief Patrol Agent for the agency’s Buffalo sector. That new authority makes him one of the top figures governing the security of New York’s and Pennsylvania’s ports of entry. It also... Read More »
Homeland Security program to work on correcting the vulnerabilities with GPS
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently launched a multiyear program dedicated to finding solutions to global positioning systems’ (GPS) vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The program will conduct vulnerability and impact assessments,... Read More »
NTI holds meeting to identify, address biological risks
Policy leaders and scientific experts met in November to assess the impact of advances in technology on biological risks and brainstorm new ideas to address them. The meeting -- sponsored by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Oxford University, and Johns Hopkins University -- included... Read More »
Walter Weaver to head Port of Progreso
Walter Weaver was selected Nov. 29 as the new port director for the Port of Progreso. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations, Laredo Field Office officials announced the selection at a change of command ceremony held at the Donna North High School Auditorium, in Donna,... Read More »
Researchers create six antibodies with potential to test, treat Zika
Researchers from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine have generated six antibodies that could be used to test for and potentially treat the Zika virus. To date, the mosquito-borne disease has afflicted more than 1.5 million people worldwide, but there is no effective vaccine... Read More »
Air Force field testing new protective mask
The U.S. Air Force completed field testing last month of an improved chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protective mask for crews on rotary wing aircraft. The Joint Service Aircrew Mask – Rotary Wing replaces the Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection system on HH-60G Pave... Read More »
US Senators introduce legislation to prevent nuclear arms race
A group of U.S. Senators recently introduced legislation that would stop the United States from entering into a 21st Century nuclear arms race. The Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2018 is sponsored by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Markey... Read More »
Sen. Wicker urges ship fleet increase
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) is urging progression toward the Navy meeting its goal of a 355-ship fleet, which became policy when President Donald Trump signed the Securing the Homeland by Increasing our Power on the Seas (SHIPS) Act into law last year. Wicker, chairman of the Senate Seapower... Read More »
House lawmakers, Alliance for Biosecurity urge Senate to pass pandemic, all-hazards reauthorization bill
Federal officials are pushing for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 (PAHPA), which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in September, to be signed into law this year. In a discussion on Wednesday hosted by the Alliance for Biosecurity... Read More »
Measure targets worldwide violence, instability
A group of lawmakers recently praised the House advancement of legislation designed to reduce worldwide violence, enhance engagement, and address instability in other countries. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Ted Poe (R-TX), Adam Smith (D-WA) and Bill Keating (D-MA) said the... Read More »
Air Force awards 100 contracts in 40 hours
As a means of expediting the acquisition process, Air Force officials recently awarded more than 100 contracts to small businesses in 40 hours. Officials said personnel from varied departments met at the AFWERX Innovation Hub in Austin, Texas to streamline contracting processes and develop new... Read More »
TSA could better measure effectiveness of cargo screening, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued three recommendations to improve how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspects air carriers and assesses foreign airports in regards to U.S.-bound air cargo. The GAO examined the TSA’s screening process to monitor the... Read More »
Accident Response Group shifts departments, potentially improving ability to respond to nuclear incidents
The Accident Response Group (ARG), a group of technical experts within the Department of Energy (DOE) meant to respond to nuclear weapons accidents, has been regrouped into the Military Liaison Department, more closely aligning it with military interests. Department officials hope that this will... Read More »
DHS to host event on new technologies for first responders in Houston
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate S&T will host an event for first responders in the Houston area on new technologies available to them. The event -- called the Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Harris County Operational Experimentation (OpEx)... Read More »
Lockheed Martin donation targets cyber research
Lockheed Martin has contributed $1.5 million to the University of Central Florida (UCF) as a means of aiding the development of a new cyber research lab. The Lockheed Martin Cyber Innovation Lab ensures UCF remains a leader in educating and empowering future cyber experts. “Our... Read More »
Groups seek funds countering biological threats
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) has joined over 60 global health security organizations in calling for bolstered funding in the Trump Administration’s 2020 budget request to counter biological threats. The groups forwarded correspondence to Secretary of Health and Human Services and Chair... Read More »
Researchers begin Ebola trials in Democratic Republic of the Congo
A team of international researchers began enrolling confirmed Ebola patients this week for clinical trial testing of multiple therapies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Organized by a research consortium coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), the trials are in response to... Read More »