Threats
GAO issues potential Chinese nationals technology transfer recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recommendations to address Chinese nationals potentially transferring technology to foreign entities. Per the GAO, a third of foreign graduate students studying science, technology, engineering, and... Read More »
Sandia National Lab publishes review of vulnerabilities in electric vehicle charging infrastructure
A team at Sandia National Laboratories completed four years of work on and published a summary of various vulnerabilities in electric vehicle charging infrastructure this week in the journal Energies, drawing attention to the risks of evolution. While all growth comes with its share of risks,... Read More »
Treasury Department outlines transnational network sanctions
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has outlined sanctions against a transnational network procuring technology they maintain supports the Russian military-industrial complex. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) initiated the sanctions in conjunction with the U.S.... Read More »
New York Attorney General investigation yields cease and desist letters against 39 ammunition sellers
At least 39 ammunition sellers have been shipping ammunition directly to New York residents and failing to keep records of the transactions in violation of state law, according to the results of an investigation announced this week by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Under the New York... Read More »
SAIC secures Army contract for software management services
The U.S. Army has awarded Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) a contract to continue providing Army Enterprise Service Desk (AESD) software development and management services. The single-award contract possesses an estimated ceiling value of $757 million. The scope of work... Read More »
Homeland Security S&T awards nearly $200,000 to startup Flux Tensor for motion-identifying algorithms
The startup Flux Tensor captured the interest of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) last week with the potential to apply motion-identifying algorithms to complex security videos and improve safety for soft targets. The department... Read More »
Government Accountability Office report details path for TSA to eliminate potential discrimination in airport screenings
Airport screenings have long been a source of consternation for many and rife with accusations of discrimination in their handling – but a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report laid out a path for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to take to reduce the potential for... Read More »
Rep. Torres seeking oversight of DoD military equipment transfer
U.S. Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) is requesting further oversight regarding the U.S. Department of Defense's recent transfer of military equipment to the Guatemalan government. Torres has forwarded correspondence to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken... Read More »
DOJ outlines ransomware campaign criminal complaint
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently detailed a criminal complaint charging a dual Russian and Canadian national for alleged participation in the LockBit global ransomware campaign. Mikhail Vasiliev, 33, of Bradford, Ontario, Canada, is in custody in Canada and awaiting extradition to the... Read More »
First look at global vaccine market since COVID-19 shows development still lagging due to profit-over-health mindset
Capitalistic values continue to hinder vaccine development, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first report on the global vaccine market since COVID-19, with prioritizes vaccines not being developed due to limited profit potential and limited access for lower-income countries... Read More »
TSA outlines Denver airport hiring initiative
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said the agency has initiated a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) new hire incentive program to attract more Denver International Airport (DEN) applicants. Full and part-time positions are available with a starting wage of $24.23 per... Read More »
CBP holds local training on Jones Act specificity in New Orleans
Earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held a training exercise on enforcement of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, a complex and tricky law that demands specificity from federal agents. When established, the law limited how cargo could be... Read More »
Reps. Garbarino, Gallagher urge President Biden to work on Continuity of the Economy disaster plan
Two Republican legislators are criticizing the Biden administration for not developing or implementing an emergency plan for the U.S. economy in the event of a disaster, despite being required to do so within two years by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021. In a letter to President... Read More »
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center wins $9.42M cooperative agreement with IARPA to investigate radiation exposure biomarkers
Through a federal cooperative agreement with the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) announced this week that they are working on non-invasive means of detecting and preventing radiation... Read More »
Funds earmarked for New York nonprofit safety initiatives
New York state officials are detailing an allocation of $96 million to aid nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks in bolstering safety and security measures. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently detailed the opening of applications for $50 million earmarked for organizations facing the... Read More »
INTERPOL conducts global chemical security session
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) officials are touting a recent gathering of 220 chemical security practitioners from over 70 countries to address combating terrorism, chemical weapons, and explosives use. INTERPOL hosted its third Global Congress on Chemical Security and... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers seek to collaborate with Canada to fix NEXUS traveler backlog
In a letter to their Canadian counterparts last week, four U.S. representatives sought to kick off a joint fix for the growing logjam in the NEXUS system, the Trusted Traveler Program for the U.S.-Canadian Border. That system requires travelers to undergo in-person interviews with agents from... Read More »
TSA details Florida gun checkpoint interceptions
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials have indicated Florida air travel passengers have brought a record number of guns to TSA checkpoints. According to the agency, the present number of 700 guns is higher than in any previous year and includes records set at 12 individual... Read More »
Clinical data shows Pfizer, BioNTech Omicron BA.4/BA.5 booster offers higher protection in adults
Pfizer and BioNTech announced updates from a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of their bivalent booster for the COVID-19 variants Omicron BA.4/BA.5 last week, pointing to the 4-fold higher emergence of neutralizing antibody titers among treated adults older than 55, comparative to the original COVID-19... Read More »
DHS awards $500,000 for targeted violence, domestic terrorism prevention efforts in New York
As announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security awarded $500,000 in federal funds for support, threat assessment, and management of efforts to combat targeted violence and domestic terrorism in New York. "New York... Read More »
Report examines healthcare sector cybersecurity threats
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released Thursday a white paper detailing present healthcare sector cybersecurity. The report offers dialogue on a series of policy solutions to improve cybersecurity across the healthcare industry. The white paper, Cybersecurity is Patient Safety, explores... Read More »
CBP details $6.1M narcotics seizure at Laredo Port of Entry in Texas
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have detailed a recent $6.1 million narcotics seizure in separate incidents at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge and World Trade Bridge. “The dedicated employees of CBP continue to fulfill the agency’s border security role,” Laredo Port... Read More »
Measure seeks to bolster cybersecurity education efforts through $10M pilot program
U.S. Reps. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI) have reintroduced legislation to form a $10 million Department of Education pilot program to strengthen cybersecurity education initiatives. Specifically, the Cybersecurity Skills Integration Act would award competitive grants to... Read More »
ICF secures pact to bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement technology initiatives
Global consulting and digital services provider ICF has secured a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract to enhance Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) technology. "For over 20 years, ICF has been a trusted partner to DHS,... Read More »
Senators urge Justice Department, ATF to clarify, implement ghost guns rule
Responding to attempts by companies to avoid restrictions imposed by the federal Ghost Gun Rule, more than a dozen Democratic senators this week wrote to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to address the matter and crackdown.... Read More »
Legislation targets ATM thefts, robberies
U.S. Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and John Rose (R-TN) recently introduced legislation to address efforts to combat crimes involving ATMs that include theft, robbery, and assault. The Safe Access to Cash Act (H.R. 9248) would strengthen enforcement mechanisms to deter criminals and protect... Read More »
U.S. Transportation Department to award $32.4M in grants for six hazardous materials safety efforts
Drawing from 81 separate grants, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced last week that it will award $32.4 million to states, territories, and tribes for hazardous materials safety programs. Despite a large number of... Read More »
Homeland Security Department details Cybersecurity Performance Goals business, critical infrastructure benefits
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) to aid businesses and critical infrastructure owners in considering measures to protect against cyber threats. “Organizations across the country increasingly understand that cybersecurity... Read More »
U.S. Sen. Peters, CISA Director Easterly and Michigan CIO Clark talk cybersecurity collaboration
In a fireside event moderated by the State of Michigan’s Chief Information Officer Laura Clark at the annual Michigan Cyber Summit, guests U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly discussed intergovernmental collaborations... Read More »
California touts efficacy of earthquake early warning system during recent Bay Area quake
California state officials are touting the benefits of its Earthquake Early Warning System, noting it provided over 2.2 million residents with advanced notification prior to a recent episode. “California continues to harness the power of science and technology to help keep our communities... Read More »
BARDA invites Soligenix to submit contract proposal for thermostabilized Sudan Ebola, Marburg virus vaccines
Biopharmaceutical company Soligenix, Inc. recently received an invitation from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to submit a contract proposal for millions of dollars in development support for single vial, thermostabilized subunit vaccines for the Sudan ebolavirus... Read More »
Drug Enforcement Administration tout results from recent Violent Crime Initiative
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently touted the benefits of the agency's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), noting the endeavor recently resulted in criminal charges against 42 defendants for various offenses. The charges, involving racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution,... Read More »
Coast Guard set to maintain Harmonized Waterway database for free public access
A database of national waterways known as the Harmonized Waterway project will soon be hosted and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, offering free access to the public for navigation, study, and monitoring. The Marine Safety Information (MSI) previously required referencing the National Oceanic... Read More »
CEPI, SK bioscience collaboration seeks to address rapid Disease X response
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and SK bioscience personnel are touting a collaboration to facilitate rapid response to unknown pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential or Disease X. The partnership agreement, in which CEPI is slated to provide up to $40 million in... Read More »