Threats
Rep. Langevin applauds CISA funding allocation
U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) recently applauded the inclusion of $2.42 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the House's draft Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Langevin and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) previously forwarded correspondence to appropriators... Read More »
FDA grants breakthrough therapy designation to Valneva’s Chikungunya vaccine candidate
A chikungunya vaccine candidate created by Valneva SE is proceeding through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pipeline, having been awarded a breakthrough therapy designation this week after already gaining fast track designation. A single shot therapy, the vaccine -- known as VLA1553... Read More »
VA, DHS launch noncitizen service member initiative
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week the launch of a new initiative to support noncitizen service members, veterans, and their immediate family members. "It’s our responsibility to serve all veterans as well as they... Read More »
DHS seeking component technology support
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program announced last week that it is seeking information in three topic areas to support component technology needs. “DHS SBIR is uniquely positioned to support DHS’s broad mission by finding ways to... Read More »
Huntington Ingalls Industries in $1.65B deal to acquire Alion Science and Technology
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced this week that it entered a definitive agreement to purchase Aion Science and Technology from Veritas Capital for $1.65 billion in cash, providing further inroads for Huntington into the global defense marketplace. As a result of the agreement, Alion will... Read More »
RECOVER study finds mRNA vaccines cut risk of COVID-19 infection by 91 percent
A nationwide study from the University of Utah found that those who receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are 91 percent less likely to develop the disease than those who are unvaccinated. This news came from the RECOVER (Research on the Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Essential Response Personnel)... Read More »
Senators call for end to mask mandate on planes, public transportation
U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined several senators in introducing legislation calling on the Biden administration to end the mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals on public transportation throughout the United States, including airports, commercial airplanes, buses, and rail systems.... Read More »
FBI, partners release Russian cyber activity report
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently announced that it has joined law enforcement partners in releasing a Cybersecurity Advisory addressing Russian military intelligence cyber activities. The FBI, along with the National Security Agency (NSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure... Read More »
Rep. Thompson, Homeland Security Democrats reintroduce legislation initiating DHS reform
House Committee on Homeland Security Democrats reintroduced last week legislation designed to initiate reform within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, recently joined Committee Democrats in... Read More »
NIH funds five additional projects to research safe means of returning to in-person school
As part of its Safe Return to School Diagnostic Testing Initiative, the National Institutes of Health funded five additional research projects last week to investigate ways of safely returning people to in-person learning in areas with vulnerable and underserved populations. Up to $15 million... Read More »
New York City subway system adds chemical, biological threat sensors as part of major safety collaboration
In an effort to keep transportation safe without slowing the flow of traffic, the New York City subway system, together with a series of collaborators in the federal, academic, and private sectors, is rolling out a testbed and series of biosensors to scan for chemical and biological threats.... Read More »
Mayorkas announces largest DHS cybersecurity hiring initiative
DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced last week the agency's largest cybersecurity hiring initiative, noting the onboarding of nearly 300 cybersecurity professionals as well as the extension of an additional 500 tentative job offers. In May, Mayorkas established a goal to hire 200 new... Read More »
Bill targets supply chain security training
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) recently introduced legislation designed to enhance supply chain security via vigorous training initiatives. The Supply Chain Security Training Act creates a standardized training program to help federal employees responsible for purchasing... Read More »
U.S. lawmakers seek to fund program supporting academic medical centers in pandemic preparedness, response
A new legislative effort is pushing for a new program to designate academic medical centers as research and communication hubs in the American preparation for and response to pandemics. While COVID-19 is firmly in mind with the program, it also seeks to aid developments for fighting future... Read More »
BARDA purchases Paratek’s NUZYRA to treat anthrax infections
Looking to address a medical need and reduce development and preparedness costs for taxpayers, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has purchased and begun accepting the Paratek Pharmaceuticals antibiotic NUZYRA for use on anthrax infections. The contract could... Read More »
Legislation seeks to ban 3D printed guns
A group of Democratic legislators recently reintroduced a bill prohibiting the online distribution of blueprints and instructions enabling the printing of three dimensional (3D) firearms. The bicameral 3D Printed Gun Safety Act was introduced by U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Robert... Read More »
Dynavax to supply adjuvant for Clover COVID-19 vaccine candidate by year’s end
By the end of 2021, the terms of a new supply agreement will see Dynavax Technologies Corporation deliver its CpG 1018 adjuvant to Clover Biopharmaceuticals for use in its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, SCB-2019. SCB-2019 is a protein-based vaccine that, pending regulatory approvals, is expected to... Read More »
House ICBM Act proposes spending pause for new nuclear missiles
Denouncing further spending on the nuclear Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program as unnecessary, costly, and promoting a nuclear arms race, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) has introduced legislation to pause development until 2031 and extend the lifespan of existing weapons. “As a... Read More »
Legislators seek accountability for food industry cyberattacks
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) recently led colleagues in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, encouraging the administration to hold China and Russia accountable for food industry cyberattacks. The correspondence addressed recent cyberattacks on infrastructure and the nation's food system and... Read More »
Republican legislators urge DHS to provide update of Trusted Traveler Program renewals
U.S. Reps. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and John Katko (R-NY), ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, recently forwarded correspondence to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding a status update on the backlog of Trusted Traveler... Read More »
NIH-funded adjuvant for COVAXIN COVID-19 vaccine aids India’s pandemic response
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported this week that a COVAXIN adjuvant they funded, Alhydroxiquim-II, is actively aiding the COVID-19 response efforts in India, boosting the COVAXIN vaccine’s efficacy among the millions who have taken it. Alhydroxiquim-II was originally... Read More »
Small studies indicate Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be effective against Delta, Kappa and Eta variants
Moderna, Inc. released a clinical update of a small Phase 1 trial this week evaluating the performance of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against three of the ever-multiplying strains of the disease, including the worrisome Delta variant. Based on serum samples from eight vaccinated participants,... Read More »
Legislators push forward the PASTEUR Act to address antimicrobial resistance
Antibiotics underpin modern medicine— used to treat everything from bacterial infections to cancer. However, a world without effective antibiotics because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could mean the unraveling of health care. It also has implications for national security as antibiotics... Read More »
NIST awards nearly $3M to commercialize public safety communications system
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $2.99 million in grant funding for new interoperable public safety communication systems. Initially funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology... Read More »
Legislation seeks to increase funding for Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Mark Green (R-TN) introduced last week legislation seeking to increase funding to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). The measure garnered advancement in the U.S. House of Representatives last year as efforts with the executive branch continue... Read More »
Bipartisan senators seek updated public transportation travel, mask guidance
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding travel and mask guidance updates. U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar... Read More »
New report calls for ASPR reforms, greater interagency coordination
A new policy brief released this week by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) assessed the role of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded that reforms are necessary both within the agency and beyond to improve federal pandemic... Read More »
Legislation seeks to address Arctic region security
U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Elaine Luria (D-VA) recently joined U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing legislation that focuses on assessing Arctic region security while also establishing Department of Defense (DOD) resources there. The Arctic Security... Read More »
DHS S&T awards more than $105,000 to Florida-based Bloodstone Division to develop longer-lasting COVID-19 disinfectant
A small, veteran-owned business in Florida, Bloodstone Division, LLC, earned a $105,877 award from the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to fund the development of an antiviral disinfectant for COVID-19 and beyond. Traditional disinfecting... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee to oversee three new areas U.S. public health, medical preparedness efforts
Committee leadership for the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that it would provide oversight and investigation of three new areas to improve the nation’s pandemic preparedness effort. “More than 600,000 Americans have died as a result of... Read More »
Bill targets cybersecurity literacy effort
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to increase knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity risks via a cybersecurity literacy campaign. U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) presented the... Read More »
Rep. Duncan proposes new office to oversee NTIA cybersecurity efforts
With the introduction of new legislation last week, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has proposed the creation of the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity (OPDC) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance national cybersecurity... Read More »
FirstNet expands public safety access to more than 100 portable cell sites
The FirstNet network expanded the number of unthrottled, deployable network assets for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety personnel to more than 100 land-based and airborne portable cell sites as of last week. “When disaster strikes, FirstNet is there to support first... Read More »
UNC vaccine research targets coronaviruses
University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health researchers are exploring the potential of a universal vaccine protecting mice against other coronaviruses and variants. Scientists noted coronaviruses continue to be a threat after causing the SARS outbreak 18 years ago,... Read More »