Threats
Michigan man arrested for planning terrorist attack
Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, a 19-year-old former member of the Michigan Army National Guard, recently was arrested after attempting to conduct a mass-shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Mich., on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.... Read More »
Legislation would extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would extend the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 for an additional 10 years. CISA incentivizes companies to voluntarily share cybersecurity threat indicators with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Threat... Read More »
CBP reports “dramatic” change in operations at the border
According to statistics released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for April, border agents patrolling the southern border are up and the number of immigrants entering the country are down. The monthly reporting, which can be viewed on the agency’s stats and summaries webpage, show... Read More »
Global Congress issues recommendations on chemical security threats
The Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats released recommendations at its fifth plenary meeting last week to boost global action against chemical security threats. The meeting included 300 delegates from more than 100 countries and six international... Read More »
Legislation would combat China’s infiltration of American college campuses
U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-TN) and August Pfluger (R-TX) said they applaud the House’s passage of legislation that combats China’s influence on American college campuses. Green, chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said the legislation, DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes... Read More »
DEA, federal authorities arrest 16 in connection to drug trafficking organization
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal authorities recently arrested 16 people and seized fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles in five states in connection to a drug trafficking organization. Law enforcement officers executed coordinated search warrants. “Our... Read More »
Task force formed to enhance security for special events like FIFA, Olympics
U.S. Reps. Mark E. Green, M.D. (R-TN) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) said a bipartisan task force will conduct security oversight as the country prepares for major international events in the coming years. The “Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States” will visit... Read More »
DHS offering travel assistance, $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens for self-deportation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering a stipend of $1,000 to every illegal alien who self-deports. Aliens would receive payment after their return to their home countries is confirmed through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App. “If you are here illegally,... Read More »
Autonomous fire suppression techniques successfully demonstrated
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and California-based Rain, an autonomous aerial wildfire containment technology company, recently successfully demonstrated and tested autonomous wildfire suppression techniques. The tests were conducted in California in collaboration with San Bernardino... Read More »
Republicans advance Trump administration budget focusing on border security
Republicans in the House Committee on Homeland Security advanced its budget reconciliation recommendations to fund President Donald Trump’s border security efforts. The budget recommendation will complete the border wall and increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel while... Read More »
Legislation would protect service members’ data from being sold
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would prevent data brokers from non-adversarial nations from purchasing U.S. service members’ data and then selling it to adversarial nations such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia. The Protecting Military Servicemembers Data... Read More »
National Institute of Standards and Technology updates guidance on wildfires
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently updated its guidance on preparing for wildfires. The updates are based on scientific research and community feedback. Guidance was first published in 2023 along with a case study on the 2018 Camp Fire evacuations in Paradise,... Read More »
U.S. Central Command targeting terrorist organization in Yemen
U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces have conducted Operation Rough Rider, a campaign targeting the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, since March 15. Forces include the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and two Carrier Strike Groups. There... Read More »
Internet crimes increased 33 percent in 2024
In 2024, there were 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime and reported losses exceeding $16 billion, a 33 percent increase in losses from 2023, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) annual internet crime report. Other... Read More »
Legislation aims to crack down on drone surveillance
U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced legislation that will make drone surveillance of national defense sites illegal. The Drone Espionage Act will update the Espionage Act of 1917 and make videography of sensitive national defense sites a crime punishable with a fine, 10 years in prison or... Read More »
Plan will modernize U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) recently entered into a 10-year agreement to revitalize and modernize the USMMA campus in Kings Point, N.Y. The USMMA academy on Long Island is one of five federal service academies. The... Read More »
WHO member states make progress on pandemic agreement
Member states of the World Health Organization recently forged a draft agreement to help make the world safer from pandemics. The proposal, which will be considered at the upcoming World Health Assembly in May, aims to strengthen global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to... Read More »
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 »