Threats
TSA begins enforcement of REAL ID on May 7
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin enforcement of its REAL ID enforcement measures at TSA checkpoints nationwide on May 7. On that date, the TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant from airline passengers 18 years and older.... Read More »
Industrial sector experienced more than 1,400 ransomware attacks in 2024, study finds
UK-based NCC Group, an IT company assessing and managing cyber threats, recently released the third edition of its Global Cyber Policy Radar report on cyber security regulation trends. In 2024, the industrial sector experienced 1,424 ransomware attacks, up from 2023, making it the most targeted... Read More »
Legislation introduced to combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks
U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) reintroduced legislation that would help combat Chinese-backed cyberattacks. The legislation, Strengthening Cyber resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act, would require the federal government to assess and... Read More »
CBP launches International Remote Baggage Screening initiative
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently implemented the International Remote Baggage Screening initiative that is designed to enhance the efficiency of international travel. Under the initiative, passengers arriving in the United States from foreign airports can continue to their... Read More »
Coast Guard cuts Logistics Information Management System
The Coast Guard recently terminated the Logistics Information Management System (CG-LIMS) with program activities ending no later than May 1. The armed services are facing difficulties attempting to replace its outdated information technology systems. This is because of the transactions... Read More »
ICE, USCIS investigation leads to arrest of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement partnered with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in an investigation that led to the apprehension of 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts. The agencies said that during a six-day enhanced operation in March, federal law enforcement partners and... Read More »
Agencies warn of fast flux enabled malicious activities
Cybersecurity service providers, internet service providers, and organizations were warned Wednesday of the ongoing threat of fast flux enabled malicious activities. “Fast flux” exploits a gap commonly found in network defenses, making the tracking and blocking of malicious fast flux... Read More »
March southwest border crossings lowest on record
Crossings over the southwest border reached a record low in March, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data. Approximately 7,180 southwest border crossings were recorded in March and there were approximately 230 southwest border apprehensions daily. The monthly average for... Read More »
Coast Guard increases presence near Mexico border
The Coast Guard recently increased its operational presence near the border between the United States and Mexico with the goal of enhancing border security and immigration enforcement. Coast Guard District Eleven has increased its counter-illicit-maritime-activities since Jan. 21, tripled its... Read More »
DOJ seizes cryptocurrency intended to fund Hamas
Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said a court-authorized seizure of more than $200,000 in cryptocurrency will disrupt an ongoing Hamas funding scheme. According to a press release from the DOJ, the office seized $201,400 in cryptocurrency held in wallets and accounts intended to... Read More »
Legislation reintroduced to use AI to prep for, respond to pandemics
Legislation re-introduced into Congress this week would direct the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence to create a program leveraging artificial intelligence to prepare for and respond to pandemics. Sponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM),... Read More »
U.S. Cyber Command holds Cyber Guard exercise
The U.S. Cyber Command held the largest joint Cyber Guard exercise earlier this month, officials said. The annual command exercise coordinated with the Joint Staff to perform the first phase of its 11th annual command exercise; part of a larger joint force exercise series designed to simulate... Read More »
Legislation to prohibit U.S. investments from fueling Chinese aggression introduced
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr would prevent U.S. capital from financing the Chinese Communist Party, officials said. The legislation, the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, would establish a comprehensive outbound investment screening regime to... Read More »
MS-13 leader arraigned in court on federal terrorism, racketeering charges
A high-ranking MS-13 leader, who was added to the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List in February, was arraigned in federal court Wednesday. Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, also known as Veterano de Tribus, 47, of Ahuachapán, El Salvador, and Veracruz, Mexico, had been a fugitive for nearly... Read More »
DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge gears up for final competition
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health recently released a procedures and scoring guide for the final competition of the AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC), which will award $8.5 million in prizes. The AI Cyber Challenge final... Read More »
Central Command Forces kill ISIS #2 leader
U.S. Central Command forces announced they have conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader. Officials with Central Command said Emir-Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah,” chief of operations was killed in the... Read More »
Rep. Garbarino urges DHS to examine Cyber Safety Review Board
U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to look into the structure of the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) as the Trump administration considers reconstituting it. In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Garbarino, the chair of the House Homeland... Read More »
Cobalt Magnet 25 to hold training exercise
The Cobalt Magnet 25, a training, exercise and planning program to ensure preparedness in the event of public health and safety emergencies, is holding a training exercise to prepare against radiological threats, incidents, and accidents at locations throughout southeast Michigan, Ohio, Indiana,... Read More »
Legislation to counter transnational repression introduced
Members of the House Committee on Homeland Security reintroduced legislation to strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s response to countering transnational repression on U.S. soil. Transnational repression occurs with foreign actors, like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or... Read More »
ICE arrests 32,809 people during Trump’s first 50 days
Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) made 32,809 enforcement arrests during the first 50 days of President Donald Trump’s second administration. The arrests include 14,111 convicted criminals, 9,980 people with pending criminal charges, 1,155 criminal gang members and 39 known or... Read More »
CBP closing processing facilities due to low border apprehensions
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it has begun reducing the number of soft-sided facilities along the southwest border due to low apprehensions. CBP will close soft-sided facilities in Donna, North Eagle Pass and Laredo, TX, as well as in Yuma and Tucson, Ariz. SSFs in San Diego,... Read More »
Legislation combatting China’s influence on the supply chain passes House
Two bills officials say will counter the influence of China’s Communist party on the supply chain passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Monday. The bills, the “Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act,” H.B. 1166, and the “SHIELD Against the CCP Act,” H.R. 708,... Read More »
Republicans ask for information about TSA’s cybersecurity measures
Republicans in the House Homeland Security Committee are requesting information from the Transportation Security Administration on its measures and resiliency following recent cybersecurity incidents. U.S. Reps. Mark Green, MD (R-TN), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Andre Garbarino (R-NY), and Sheri... Read More »
Legislation would assess how terrorists groups use technology
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would examine how foreign terrorist organizations use the internet and emerging technology to recruit, radicalize, and inspire attacks in the homeland. The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act would require the... Read More »
Legislation introduced to combat online radicalization
In response to the treat posed to the U.S. by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qaeda, U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced legislation to examine how foreign terrorist organizations use the internet and other technology to recruit and radicalize members against the U.S. Pfluger,... Read More »
Legislation would prevent individuals tied to Hamas from entering United States
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would prevent any migrant tied to Hamas from entering the United States. The No Immigration Benefits For Hamas Terrorists Act would prohibit any migrant who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support... Read More »
Bill addressing the threat of vehicular terrorism introduced
U.S. Reps. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) and Mark Green (R-TN) introduced last week legislation addressing the rising threat of vehicular terrorism. Coming on the heels of the attack on New Orleans on New Year’s Day, the Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation... Read More »
Homeland Security Committee advances Cyber Pivott Act
The Cyber Pivott Act, legislation strengthening the cybersecurity workforce, advanced out of the House Committee on Homeland Security this week. The legislation, formally H.R. 1000, the Providing Individuals Various Opportunities for Technical Training to Build a Skills-Based Cyber Workforce... Read More »
Project provides access to violent incident data
The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism recently launched the Terrorism and Targeted Violence (T2V) project. The project will provide the homeland security community with data and analysis on violent events occurring in the United States and its territories... Read More »
Legislation reintroduced to strengthen security at major events
U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) reintroduced legislation that would strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to support security at major sporting and entertainment events. The DHS Special Events Program and Support bill would permanently codify... Read More »
Legislation aims to stop Chinese espionage
A bipartisan, bicameral bill reintroduced on Friday in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to stop Chinese Communist Party (CCP) espionage, intellectual property theft and economic warfare against the United States. The Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act would... Read More »
Legislation would enhance counterterrorism efforts
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s counterterrorism efforts. The Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act would require an evaluation of the threat posed to the United States by individuals in Syria with ties to... Read More »
California seizes nearly 22,000 pounds of fentanyl in 2025
California’s Counter Drug Task Force has confiscated of nearly 22,000 pounds of illegal fentanyl and more than 37 million pills containing fentanyl so far this year. The drugs have a street value of nearly $300 million. In January, 557 pounds of fentanyl and 319,732 pills with a street value... Read More »
Congress members urge USDA to fight avian flu outbreak
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and a bipartisan group of Congress members asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to explore all available options to address the latest avian flu outbreak. In a Feb. 18 letter, the group said the USDA should explore all the mitigation and prevention... Read More »