Threats
CISA releases new guidance on operational technology
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released new guidance to help operational technology (OT) owners and operators create and maintain comprehensive OT asset inventories and taxonomies. “OT systems are essential to the daily lives of all Americans and to... Read More »
Seattle woman charged with murder of border patrol indicted on additional charges
A federal grand jury in the District of Vermont on Thursday indicted Teresa Youngblut, a Seattle resident accused of murdering a border patrol agent, for the assault of two additional agents with a deadly weapon and related firearms offenses. On Jan. 20., a U.S. Border Patrol agent conducted a... Read More »
X-energy agrees to develop microreactor for Defense Department
Citing its importance in national security, X-energy Reactor Company said it had entered into an agreement to provide the U.S. Department of Defense with nuclear microreactors. X-energy said the agreement with the DOD’s Defense Innovation Unit and the U.S. Department of the Air Force would... Read More »
ICE arrests 356 criminal illegal aliens in Houston area in first six months of Trump presidency
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 356 criminal illegal alien gang members in the Houston area during the first six months of the Trump administration. Collectively, the gang members, who were from more than 40 different gangs, were convicted of 1,685 criminal... Read More »
Violent crime down in 2024, FBI reports
Reporting in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program finds that violent crime decreased across the country an estimated 4.5 percent when comparing 2024 to 2023. The FBI’s crime statistics are based on reports from more than 16,000 state, county, city, university and college, and tribal... Read More »
Chinese nationals arrested for shipping AI microchips to China
Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice said two Chinese nationals, one in the country illegally, have been arrested for exporting microchips used in artificial intelligence to China. The DOJ alleges that Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 29, of El Monte, violated the Export... Read More »
HHS announces mRNA vaccine development wind down
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would begin the wind-down of mRNA vaccine development activities. As part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), HHS said it would be cancelling and de-scoping contracts and solicitations for... Read More »
Sandia cybersecurity platform now publicly available
Thorium, a cybersecurity platform developed at Sandia National Laboratories, is now available for the public to download through CISA’s GitHub repository. The platform detects and analyzes advanced malware threats. It supports automation and data processing and allows cyber analysts to... Read More »
Appropriations bill includes funding for infectious disease programs
The Senate FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill includes billions in funding for domestic and global infectious disease programs. Funding includes $1.015 billion for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority; $6.562 billion for National Institute of... Read More »
DHS launches third phase of remote identity verification tech
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced it has entered the third phase of the Remote Identity Validation Rally (RIVR). This phase is a series of challenges hosted by DHS S&T that allows the tech industry to test and improve its identity... Read More »
Legislation would modernize weather radio communications
Bipartisan legislation recently re-introduced in the U.S. Senate would modernize weather radio with the goal of enhancing the reliability of emergency communications during severe weather and increasing the accessibility of critical warnings. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric... Read More »
New York Gov. Hochul calls on DHS to release security funding
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release funding to help secure the city after a mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Hochul demanded the release of Urban Area Security... Read More »
Legislation would prevent U.S. Transportation Department from using Chinese LIDAR technology
U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) re-introduced legislation this week that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology. The legislation is aimed at preventing the department from using technology that would give China access to 3-D... Read More »
Raytheon launches next-gen targeting system for Navy helicopters
Raytheon, a defense solutions provider, recently launched its latest Multispectral Targeting System variant, MTS-A HD. Raytheon's MTS family of sensors are currently in use on more than 400 U.S. Navy helicopters. The MTS-A HD's modular architecture allows for seamless integration while offering... Read More »
Violent crime has decreased in 2025, criminal justice report finds
Certain violent crimes have dropped in multiple cities across the United States during the first six months of the year, according to a recent Council on Criminal Justice report. From January through June, homicides decreased 17 percent in 30 cities compared to the same period a year ago.... Read More »
TSA seeks airport security checkpoint technology proposals
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking proposals for the development and deployment of turnkey solutions to use at airport security checkpoints. Solutions must enhance aviation security effectiveness; reduce total operating costs, workforce requirements, and manual labor;... Read More »
FBI, law enforcement partners arrest five members of Mexican Mafia in California
Law enforcement officers recently arrested five people associated with the Mexican Mafia prison gang in several locations throughout the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange counties. Officers also seized methamphetamine, firearms, electronics and illicit proceeds. The arrests and seizures... Read More »
Senate confirms Gen. Guetlein to lead Golden Dome office
The U.S. Senate recently confirmed Gen. Michael Guetlein as the first direct reporting program manager for the Golden Dome for America project. Guetlein will report directly to U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg. Officials said. Guetlein will be responsible for developing the... Read More »
Legislation would crack down on illegal drug sales on social media
Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) would crack down on the illegal sale and distribution of drugs on social media channels. The legislation, the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, would require social media companies and other... Read More »
Legislation to combat drug cartels, human traffickers introduced
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) introduced legislation to address the threat of organized criminal activity in border communities. The No Mor Narcos Act and the Stop COYOTES Act targets drug cartels and human traffickers to prevent them from exploiting vulnerable populations including children... Read More »
House security task force announces hearing on attacks at mass-gathering events
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), vice chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security said a task force for enhancing security for special events in the United States would hold its first hearing next week. McCaul said the “Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Event in the United... Read More »
Bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening seaport security introduced
U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-FL) introduced legislation recently that aims to create a collaborative approach to securing trade and travel, as well as strengthening security the nations seaports. The legislation, The CBP Securing Ports and America’s Commerce and Economy (SPACE) Act, would allow... Read More »
CBP seizes $23M worth of at Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations, officers intercepted more than $23 million in alleged methamphetamine on July 6 at the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility. The bridge connects Pharr, Texas, with the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The drugs... Read More »
Chinese man accused of hacking arrested in Italy
Xu Zewei, a Chinese national wanted on a nine-count indictment in the Southern District of Texas, was arrested on July 3 in Italy and faces extradition proceedings, according to the Justice Department. Xu and co-defendant Zhang Yu hacked into thousands of computers worldwide between February... Read More »
Philadelphia CBP intercepts ketamine destined for South Florida
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia seized five shipments of ketamine hydrochloride destined for South Florida recently. According to the CBP, shipments of 57 pounds of ketamine were hidden in fishing rods and in boxes of toys. Agents with CBP said the seizure had a... Read More »
Action taken against North Koreans who were employed illegally in IT
The Justice Department recently took action regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK) government’s schemes to fund its regime through remote information technology (IT) work for U.S. companies. Actions include searches of 29 known or suspected “laptop farms” in 16... Read More »
CISA, other agencies point to potential cyberattack from Iran
According to a report from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3), and the National Security Agency (NSA), Iran may target United States with a cyberattack. In response to the June 20 bombing of Iranian nuclear... Read More »
DHS awards Jewish faith-based organizations $94.4M in security grant funding
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded more than 512 Jewish faith-based organizations nationwide $94.4 million in National Security Supplemental funding. A portion of funding is through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Funding will... Read More »
ASPR tests portable biocontainment unit with Tranquil Passport Exercise
Officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) said started testing the capabilities of its new Portable Biocontainment Unity (PBCU) on June 24. The system will test the Tranquil Passport Exercise to test a portable... Read More »
Legislation introduced to combat threats from Venezuelan gang
Legislation from U.S. Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC), co-sponsored by every Republican member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, would address the threat posed to the country by members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. The legislation, Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment... Read More »
Legislation would develop layered missile defense system
Bicameral legislation would develop a modern, layered missile defense system that can counter, detect, track, and defeat existing and evolving threats. The Ground and Orbital Launched Defeat of Emergent Nuclear Destruction and Other Missile Engagements (GOLDEN DOME) Act would authorize more than... Read More »
Legislation would deter entities financially assisting the Taliban
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would require the State Department to create and carry out a strategy aimed at deterring foreign nations and non-governmental organizations from offering financial or material aid to the Taliban or other terrorist groups. The No... Read More »
More than 18.5M travelers to hit the skies over July Fourth holiday weekend, TSA estimates
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it is expecting millions of people to travel through airport security checkpoints during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Starting on Tuesday, July 1 and ending Monday, July 7, TSA said they expect more than 18.5 million people to hit the... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security issues terrorism advisory bulletin amid U.S. involvement in Israel-Iran conflict
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin on Sunday concerning the U.S. direct involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. While there are no specific credible threats against the United States, the bulletin addresses a... Read More »