Threats
DHS S&T offers $45M funding opportunity for new Homeland Security center in the Arctic
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) solicited colleges and universities nationwide this week with a $45 million funding opportunity, seeking proposals to guide a new Center of Excellence (COE) for Arctic operations. Funds will be offered through a... Read More »
More than 50 Congressional lawmakers question DHS proposal to raise H-2A, H-2B visa fees
In a letter dispatched to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, 52 House members responded to a recent proposal to increase fees and processing time for H-2A and H-2B visa proposals, blasting the idea as detrimental to businesses. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security Committee holds hearing over DHS resources needed to face security threats
A hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee this week put Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas under the spotlight, seeking answers to what his Department needs to secure and operate borders and counter threats... Read More »
DEA to host 24th National Drug Take Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is espousing the benefits of its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22. “Thanks to our local and state partners, we collected in the past event in October more than 33,500 pounds," DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge... Read More »
Kathryn Coulter Mitchell named new CISA Chief of Staff
Kathryn Coulter Mitchell has been named the new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Chief of Staff, replacing Kiersten Todt, who will return to the private sector. “I’m really excited to have Kathryn join our team at CISA,” CISA Director Jen Easterly said. “She brings... Read More »
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary to introduce firefighting robot at FDIC International
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary Howe & Howe, Inc. will introduce its Thermite EV1 firefighting robot during the FDIC International conference on April 24-29 in Indianapolis, Ind. “Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response,” Howe & Howe Senior Vice... Read More »
Justice Department details charges regarding illegal police station operation
U.S. Department of Justice officials have outlined a complaint charging two defendants for allegedly opening and operating an illegal overseas police station for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Justice Department alleges in the complaint unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New... Read More »
CBP seeks ideas for Non-Intrusive Inspection Anomaly Detection Algorithm
This week, a new solicitation from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week sought new Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Anomaly Detection Algorithm solutions to increase inspection efficacy and reduce review times, and support analysis by CBP officers. CBP’s goal for these... Read More »
HHS releases new online educational platform, publication and report to aid cybersecurity in health sector
Due to the rising threat of cyberattacks against the health and public health sector, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released three new resources under its HHS 405(d) Program to aid cybersecurity efforts. Together with the Health Sector Coordinating Council... Read More »
WHO launches PRET initiative to ready countries for next pandemics
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to help countries prepare the systems and capabilities to manage emerging threats. The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Initiative (PRET) will officially launch on April 24-26, 2023, during a global... Read More »
DHS touts Operation Blue Lotus success
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel are touting Operation Blue Lotus, which has, in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), disrupted synthetic drug trafficking. Operation Four Horsemen, the U.S. Border Patrol’s... Read More »
Bill seeks to strengthen DHS law enforcement mental health resources
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a bill to enhance Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel's mental health resources. U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the DHS Suicide Prevention and Resiliency for Law Enforcement Act, which would... Read More »
U.S., international security agencies publish new guidance for secure shipping by software manufacturers
In a collaborative effort, several United States security agencies joined with related authorities in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last week to launch guidance for technology providers meant to increase security by design and default. In... Read More »
Northrop Grumman F-16 electronic warfare suite capable of countering modern radio frequency threats
In the first LIVE test of Northrop Grumman Corporation’s AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) last week, the system proved capable of countering modern radio frequency (RF) attacks, effectively blocking certain hacking attempts. During testing, simulated air defense... Read More »
Expanding fentanyl crackdown, Biden administration designates xylazine combos emerging threat
Xylazine, a non-opioid tranquilizer approved for veterinary use, was recently declared an emerging threat to the United States by Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), when combined with fentanyl. While never approved for human use,... Read More »
DHS, State Department seek to expand Central American Minors program
Enhancements to the Central American Minors (CAM) program would provide alternatives to perilous and irregular border migration, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State officials. The CAM program enables certain individuals in the United States to request... Read More »
TSA procures new x-ray scanners for airport checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has procured three Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray scanner orders worth up to $1.3 billion to be deployed at airport checkpoints. The orders call for up to 426 base, 359 mid-size and 429 full-size scanner units, if all options are exercised, for... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks information on drone technologies to counter small UAS swarms
Through a Request for Information (RFI) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) signaled a search for new and emerging counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capable of defending against other small UAS (sUAS). Small UAS are... Read More »
DHS S&T touts new carry-on baggage screening system
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently installed a next generation carry-on baggage screening system at Boston Logan International Airport. “This new carry-on screening system is an important next step in aviation security,” S&T... Read More »
CBP guidance seeks to address supply chain disruption resilience
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently issued new guidance to address bolstered supply chain disruption initiatives. Cyber Incident Guidance for Customs Brokers would aid customs brokers in preparation, response, and recovery regarding cyberattacks, from proactively installing... Read More »
DEA details life sentence for large-scale drug trafficking organization leader
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials recently announced the sentencing of Jorge Sanchez Morales, aka “Capulina,” 47, to life in prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization. In November 2022, an El Paso jury found Sanchez Morales guilty of conspiracies to import... Read More »
Report: Stronger, more frequent hurricanes pose greater risks to U.S. East, Gulf Coasts
According to a new paper from researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), hurricane season is set to worsen in the years ahead in terms of strength and frequency as global warming empowers storms along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. Hurricane frequency could rise by as much... Read More »
Capitol Hill lawmakers vow to end U.S. drug shortages, dependency on Chinese pharma
The rising dependence that the United States has on many Chinese pharmaceuticals is worsening the nation’s drug shortage and creating a national security risk that several members of Congress want to disrupt. Lawmakers, in fact, have introduced legislation in Congress from both sides of the... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Garcia introduces bills to shuffle COVID-19 relief funds into school safety
As the United States continues to reckon with gun violence nationwide, including in its schools, U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) introduced the latest legislative proposals for change, with the Safe Schools Act and the Strengthening School Security for Students Act. Touted as ways to protect... Read More »
CBP, Air and Marine Operations nab vessel transporting cocaine
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) along with the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) intercepted a vessel transporting cocaine in waters along northern Puerto Rico. The agencies seized 1,455 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $15.1 million and arrested four non-citizens from the... Read More »
Justice Department disrupts global cyber crime marketplace
The U.S. Justice Department personnel has dismantled a major criminal marketplace that allegedly enabled cybercriminals to victimize individuals, businesses and governments globally. “Our seizure of Genesis Market should serve as a warning to cybercriminals who operate or use these criminal... Read More »
CISA and partners highlight risk management for National Supply Chain Integrity month
As a way to encourage stakeholders and partners to pursue rigorous supply chain risk management (SCRM) solutions, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and a mix of federal and industry partners are highlighting SCRM as the recipe for resilience in this National Supply Chain... Read More »
Report: Nearly 150 illegal or illicit trafficking incidents of radioactive material occurred last year
According to a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pulled from its own database, 146 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities occurred in 2022 involving nuclear and other radioactive material. While the IAEA’s global database utilizes information from 143... Read More »
House Homeland Security Republicans request information regarding cybersecurity threat by Chinese-built cranes at U.S. ports
In a letter dispatched to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, Republican chairs linked to the House Committee on Homeland Security pressed for answers on potential cybersecurity threats posed by Chinese-manufactured cranes used at U.S. ports. “We are... Read More »
Smiths Detection passenger screening system receives DHS designation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Smiths Detection's HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX CT passenger screening system as terrorism deterring technology. The designation was established through the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act. "This is a... Read More »
DoD details website to aid systems, assets security
The Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) Directorate for Digital Services (DDS) has launched a website targeting DoD systems and assets protection. The site was developed in conjunction with the Hack the Pentagon (HtP) program, which invites vetted,... Read More »
U.S. disrupts supposed Iranian ammunition transport overseas, files forfeiture action
After seizing a flagless vessel in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 1, 2022, U.S. Central Command forces took more than 1 million rounds of ammunition, among other weapon supplies, and as of last week, the Justice Department filed a forfeiture complaint over it, accusing the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guard... Read More »
Legislators, law enforcement officials express support for SAFE School Act
Lawmakers and law enforcement personnel are expressing support for the SAFE School Act, which focuses on keeping children safe. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) would introduce the bill to establish a $900 million grant program enabling public and private schools to... Read More »
Senate panel advances open source software protection bill
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has advanced the Securing Open Source Software Act - noting it protects federal and critical infrastructure systems. The measure introduced by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) now moves to the full Senate for... Read More »