Threats
Secret Service holds card skimming and fraud operation in Illinois, Indiana
On Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service joined state and local law enforcement partners in Illinois and Indiana to complete a 2-day payment card skimming and electronic Benefit Transfer fraud operation. The sting save residents an estimated $1.8 million in prevented losses, officials said.... Read More »
Sen. Peters asks DOD Inspector General to add oversight to PFAS remediation efforts in Michigan
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of the Inspector General to add oversight on the department’s efforts to remediate per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Michigan communities. Peters, the chair of the Homeland Security and... Read More »
DHS Science and Technology Directorate awards $789,280 in contracts
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced four contract awards, totaling $789,280, for the development of synthetic data capabilities that model and replicate the shape and patterns of real data. “Sharing sensitive data that can be used... Read More »
Alien sexual offenders would be deported under pending federal legislation
The recent introduction of a bipartisan, bicameral bill in Congress would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence as aggravated felonies, which are deportable offenses. U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) Oct. 4 cosponsored the Better... Read More »
Rep. D’Esposito questions FEMA storm modeling after Helene
On Saturday, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), asked FEMA for answers on how it used advanced forecasting and rainfall modeling to prepare for Hurricane Helene. D’Esposito, chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, sent a letter to the FEMA... Read More »
Justice Department, Microsoft disrupt Russian intelligence cyber scheme
The Justice Department recently unsealed a warrant authorizing the seizure of 41 internet domains used by Russian intelligence agents and their proxies to commit computer fraud and abuse in the United States. “Today’s seizure of 41 internet domains reflects the Justice Department’s cyber... Read More »
GAO: NRC has not taken steps to address radiological security risks
According to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has failed to take steps that would strengthen its security requirements for radioactive materials. The GAO noted that only a small amount of radioactive material is required for terrorists... Read More »
National Security Data and Policy Institute launches
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the University of Virginia have partnered to create the National Security Data and Policy Institute. The institute will advance the intelligence community's (IC) use of emerging technologies to collect, analyze, and manage... Read More »
Terrorism threat, both foreign and domestic, remains high DHS report says
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the threat from both foreign and domestic terrorism over the coming year remains high. As part of its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment report released on Oct. 2, DHS said that a number of factors, including violent extremist responses to domestic... Read More »
DHS announces additional funding to protect faith-based and nonprofit institutions
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it would distribute another $210 million in funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to protect faith-based and nonprofit organizations. The money, part of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), is the second batch of... Read More »
Legislation would target influx of synthetic drugs
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would try to stop the influx of synthetic analogues entering the United States. Synthetic drugs are engineered substances similar to already-controlled drugs. They often enter the United States undetected from... Read More »
More than 3,400 arrested as part of Operation North Star
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) had arrested more than 3,400 violent fugitives as part of its Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24). Operation North Star is a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative. The recent sweep resulted in the... Read More »
Legislation leveraging AI to handle pandemic preparedness introduced
On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced legislation that would use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to handle pandemic preparedness and response. The co-chairs of the Senate AI Caucus said the legislation would establish a program called MedShield and would... Read More »
Legislation would combat Chinese cyber threats
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would combat growing cyber threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against critical infrastructure. The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act would create an interagency task force tasked... Read More »
Congressmen request briefing with FBI, SEC on Chinese company
Republicans on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) Subcommittee are requesting a joint briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Chinese Communist Party member-linked Temu and its parent company, Pinduoduo... Read More »
House passes legislation to bolster wildfire tech
On Thursday, the U.S. House passed legislation designed to combat wildfires across the country. The Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) would allow private entities to partner with... Read More »
Legislation would increase cyber training access
Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the accessibility of cyber training and education. “I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure all levels of government have the best and brightest cyber professionals on the frontlines of America’s cyber... Read More »
HHS boosts Mpox global vaccine supply through donations
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would donate more than a million doses of the mpox vaccine, boosting both domestic and international supply. The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine received regulatory approval from the World Health Organization last week.... Read More »
DHS opens application period for cybersecurity grants
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced the availability of $279.9 million in State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program grant funding for fiscal year 2024. The program funds projects that help reduce cyber risk and build resilience against evolving cybersecurity threats by... Read More »
Senate committee passes terrorist watchlist reform legislation
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed legislation that would provide some reforms to the terrorism watchlist and traveler screening processes. The legislation, the Enhanced Oversight and Accountability in Screening Act, introduced by U.S.... Read More »
United States, UK, Canada partner for technology research and development
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence have partnered to collaboratively research, development, test, and evaluate artificial intelligence (AI), cyber technologies, resilient systems, and information... Read More »
Legislation would reduce reliance on China for critical minerals
The U.S. Senate recently passed bipartisan legislation that would reduce U.S. reliance on foreign nations for critical minerals. The bipartisan Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act would establish a presidential task force tasked with determining how to address national... Read More »
California early warning system notified millions ahead of 4.7 magnitude earthquake
On Friday, an earthquake early warning system worked, officials said, notifying millions of Californians of a 4.7 magnitude earthquake up to 20 seconds before the shaking started. Officials said that at 7:28 a.m. on Sept. 13, an earthquake centered 4.4 miles north of Malibu was felt across... Read More »
Report finds port security threat in Chinese tech, equipment
On Friday, a joint investigation found a rising threat to U.S. economic and homeland security in the Chinese Communist Party’s dominance in U.S. port infrastructure. According to a report from House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), Subcommittee on... Read More »
TSA proposes REAL ID enforcement flexibilities
On Thursday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposed new rules that would provide federal agencies with the flexibility to enforce REAL ID regulations. The proposed rule would ensure that federal agencies, including TSA, can enforce REAL ID requirements starting May 7, 2025.... Read More »
Legislation introduced to increase communications from FEMA to states, localities receiving counter-terrorism grants
On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced legislation designed to improve communication from FEMA to states and localities receiving counter-terrorism grants. The bill, the “Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act,”... Read More »
House passes legislation countering Chinese influence on higher education
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mark Green, MD (R-TN) applauded the House’s passage of legislation that seeks to counter the influence of China on American higher education. Green, the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said U.S. Rep. August Pfluger’s (R-TX) bill, “DHS Restrictions... Read More »
Homeland Security Republicans applaud bills addressing national security, fentanyl activity
On Monday, Republicans on the House Committee on Homeland Security applauded the passage of three bills countering Chinese influence on homeland security and the fentanyl crisis out of committee. U.S. Rep. Mark Green, MD (R-TN) said the committee had advanced three bills out of committee that... Read More »
U.S. Secret Service partners with law enforcement on EBT fraud, card skimming outreach operation
On Thursday, the U.S. Secret Service announced it had joined forces with state and local law enforcement to conduct a payment card skimming and Electronic Benefit Transfer fraud operation in Birmingham, Ala. Secret Service personnel, as well as Birmingham Police Department officers, and members... Read More »
Treasury Department’s FinCEN holds events to combat fentanyl financing
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) held its latest event focused on addressing financial crimes threats stemming from the fentanyl trade. Part of the Promoting Regional Outreach to Educate Communities to the Threat of Fentanyl (PROTECT)... Read More »
DHS seeking information to boost port cybersecurity
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) issued a Request for Information from commercial port operators to help research maritime cybersecurity. The Directorate’s Maritime Port Resiliency and Security Research Testbed project is... Read More »
DHS strengthens Maritime cybersecurity through partnership with Japan
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it had strengthened maritime cybersecurity through a partnership with its counterpart in Japan. From Aug. 21-22, DHS and the Government of Japan conducted a tabletop exercise that simulated a major cyber incident impacting... Read More »
Rep. Moolenaar, Sen. Rubio ask DoD to blacklist China-linked battery company
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) asked the U.S. Department of Defense to immediately place CATL on the list of companies operating in the United States that have ties to the Chinese Communist Party’s Military-Civilian Fusion Strategy. In a letter to U.S.... Read More »
DOD convenes climate summit to strengthen regional security collaboration
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Defense hosted the Climate and Defense Summit of the Americas to gather senior leaders in the Western Hemisphere to address defense and security challenges posed by climate change. Officials said the summit, held at the U.S. Naval Academy on Aug. 22 and 23,... Read More »