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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Tuesday that found that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport perimeter and access control security would benefit from a risk assessment and strategy updates.
The report noted that the TSA has made progress since... Read More »
At the request of House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Tuesday released a report that found that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) could better incorporate risk into its method of selecting on which flights... Read More »
A bipartisan coalition of representatives introduced legislation on Friday that would help ease congestion and long lines at Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) screening checkpoints at the nation’s airports.
The FASTER Act, H.R. 5340, would ensure that passenger security fees only go... Read More »
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) participated in Operation RAILSAFE, a nationwide initiative that provides enhanced visible law enforcement and security presence at train stations and trains on selected high volume travel days, on May 26.
Operation RAILSAFE training seeks to... Read More »
Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Uzumcu warned that non-state actors are likely developing and using chemical weapons abroad during his keynote speech last week at the 19th International Chemical Weapons Demilitarization Conference in London.... Read More »
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) on Friday introduced the Checkpoint Optimization Act of 2016 to overhaul the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) bureaucracy and relieve congestion at airports as peak travel season approaches.
“Travelers are frustrated with TSA’s bureaucracy – facing... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) sent a letter on Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson urging him to strengthen information-sharing efforts pursuant to the visa waiver program and calling on him to designate additional “countries of concern.”
"I remain concerned... Read More »
The House Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on Wednesday examining cybersecurity efforts and responsibilities at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The hearing examined the HHS Data Protection Act, H.R. 5068, which amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the Office... Read More »
A union representing workers of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) took out a full-page ad in The Hill newspaper on Wednesday to amplify its call for 6,000 additional full-time security screeners to alleviate long airport security lines.
The American Federation of Government... Read More »
With the world’s volume of stored data doubling each year, an opportunity exists for organizations across the globe to analyze that data and use it to add business value, particularly as it relates to defense and cybersecurity, according to Matthew Kuckuk, CGI Group’s data analytics global... Read More »
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Monday finding that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has made progress in deploying programs under the Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan, but more action is needed by the agency.
GAO reported in March 2014... Read More »
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) urged the Senate on Tuesday to pass two bills that seek to close vulnerabilities at overseas airports.
The Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016, H.R. 4314, accelerates the transfer of certain border security... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) questioned officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) on Tuesday about delays and cost-overruns in border technology acquisition programs.
“Customs and Border Protection’s border technology procurement... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) led a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection and Security on Tuesday regarding potential cyber threats.
“Our legacy response doctrine – from... Read More »
The U.S. Army Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense awarded Battelle a $59 million contract on Monday for medical countermeasures to combat infectious diseases affecting warfighters and the general public.
The grant is part of Battelle’s OASIS contract mechanism,... Read More »
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers joined Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials on Monday in releasing new steps to help address growing security line delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The coalition included U.S. Sens. Robert Melendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker... Read More »
A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers sent a letter on Monday to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler asking how the FCC’s proposed rule on set-top boxes could affect cybersecurity.
The coalition included U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Tom Carper (D-DE), along with... Read More »
House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) on Tuesday urged the United States Senate to take action on two bipartisan bills aimed at reducing wait times at the nation’s airports.
The TSA PreCheck Expansion Act, H.R. 2343, was introduced by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) and passed... Read More »
The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on Wednesday applauded legislation advanced by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security to ensure that the U.S. is prepared for biological threats, including the Zika virus.
The National Biodefense Strategy Act of 2016, S. 2967, introduced by U.S. Sen.... Read More »
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility apprehended two Mexican men after discovering packages of marijuana and cocaine in two separate incidents last week.
“Our officers have once again demonstrated great... Read More »
A coalition of financial trade associations, led by the Financial Services Roundtable (FSR), made a push this week to encourage Congress to pass a data security bill that would protect consumers from data breaches.
Each group is pushing for the bipartisan Data Security Act of 2015, a bill that... Read More »
Avon Protection on Monday introduced new technology designed to combat chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats for first responders and other security-related officers.
One of the new products includes the Avon CSPARR, the newest generation of CBRN powered air purifying... Read More »
Tyco Integrated Security recently unveiled a high-tech security system at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport to help prevent costly exit lane security breaches and increase operational efficiency.
“Airports will be able to save costs overall by using technology over manpower,”... Read More »
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ordered a bulk supply of Bavarian Nordic’s non-replicating smallpox vaccine Imvamune on Friday.
Imvamune is being developed as a smallpox vaccine for... Read More »
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) named David Salazar as area port director for the Calexico ports of entry on Thursday.
Salazar is a career federal law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of experience involving international travelers and trade along the California-Calexico... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) introduced the Strong Visa Integrity Secures America Act of 2016, H.R. 5253, on Thursday to enhance visa screening procedures at U.S. embassy outposts overseas.
The bill calls for the Department of Homeland Security to assign counterterrorism personnel and biometric... Read More »
Ahmet Uzumcu, director general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), addressed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction Arms Control Disarmament in Slovenia on Wednesday regarding security challenges facing the OPCW.... Read More »
The Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health held a hearing entitled “Examining H.R. 3299, Strengthening Public Health Response Act” on Thursday to examine legislation meant to better prepare the U.S. to fight biological threats.
The Strengthening Public Health Emergency Response... Read More »
More than 200 bomb technicians and first responders from five states and Canada came together this week to participate in what has become the biggest explosive public safety bomb squad training exercise in the world.
Held in New York, the state with the highest risk of terrorism in the nation,... Read More »
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on Monday regarding critical infrastructure protection and federal efforts to address electromagnetic risks.
The report found that key agencies have taken various steps to address electromagnetic risks to the electric grid, with... Read More »
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) called upon the U.S. Senate on Tuesday to take action on his bipartisan TSA PreCheck Expansion Act, H.R. 2843, in order to address long security lines affecting many of the nation’s airports.
The TSA PreCheck program is a risk-based security model that provides... Read More »
The 44th International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) European Regional Conference is being held this week, with participants discussing the challenges posed by record numbers of migrants traveling to Europe.
Following the publication of the joint Europol-INTERPOL report on migrant... Read More »
Many U.S. mid-cap companies are struggling to defend themselves against cyber attacks, begging the question of what is the appropriate role the federal government should play in getting the private sector cyber ready, according to Michael Balboni, president of RedLand Strategies, Inc., a business... Read More »
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this week warned the public that ransomware attacks are on the rise for businesses and consumers alike.
“As cybercriminals become more cunning and sophisticated, we must become more vigilant about basic digital hygiene and protecting our data and... Read More »
A partisan coalition of House representatives on Monday introduced a bill to strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) presence overseas.
The Expanding DHS Overseas Passenger Security Screening and Vetting Operations Act would require the DHS to issue a comprehensive... Read More »
