Threats
DHS launches Track 3 of Remote Identity Validation Technology Demonstration challenges
As part of its ongoing Remote Identity Validation Technology Demonstration (RIVTD), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently began a third track of challenges for identity verification technologies. Those challenges will help S&T and its... Read More »
U.S. Sens. Peters, Braun seek improvements to federal cybersecurity competition
With the recent introduction of the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Competition Act, United States Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) sought to get ahead of cybersecurity threats with improvements to the national President’s Cup Cybersecurity Competition. “As foreign... Read More »
CBP recruitment incentives reach as high as $30,000 for new border patrol agents
As a way to fill gaps in its ranks, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently upped its recruitment incentives for agents to as much as $30,000 for those who entered duty on or after Jan. 8, 2024. Additional incentives were also potentially offered for applicants who took on... Read More »
Republicans step up TikTok battle with demands for DHS, FBI briefing
Continuing a fight against the Chinese-owned mobile application TikTok that has stretched since the Trump administration, two House committee leaders recently wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to demand updates on ongoing investigations.... Read More »
Critical Minerals Security Act seeks to safeguard mineral supply chains against Chinese industry
Pushing to counter Chinese dominance of critical minerals, a bipartisan group of senators recently introduced the Critical Minerals Security Act to shore up what they saw as information gaps, evaluate the global supply chain and pull domestic industry away from Chinese industry. The Critical... Read More »
House Homeland Security chairs seek briefing from DHS, DEA on expanding Chinese-operated marijuana farms
Although marijuana is becoming increasingly legal state-by-state across the country, House chairs related to homeland security called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently to discuss Chinese-operated farms. These elicit farms, their... Read More »
Bill to stop fentanyl from crossing the border introduced
On Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Bob Casey and Mark Kelly (both D-AZ) introduced legislation to address the fentanyl crisis by stopping it at the southern border. The legislation, the Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, would increase staffing capacity, as well as add technology to... Read More »
TSA looks back at 2023 highlights, significant improvements in transportation security
In a new report, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said its 2023 was a significant year for improved transportation security. On Friday, the TSA said the agency had made strides in its effectiveness, efficiency and enhanced passenger experience. Over 2023, TSA screened more than... Read More »
World Economic Forum warns of growing threats, disparities for cybersecurity
Cyber insecurity remains among the top 10 risks globally, according to the latest report from the World Economic Forum, amid growing inequity and increasing worries over cybercrime. Released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Switzerland, the Global Risks Report was... Read More »
Record number of firearms blocked at airport security checkpoints in 2023
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported this week that it intercepted 6,737 firearms people attempted to take through airport security checkpoints and onto aircraft in 2023. It is the highest total on record, topping 2022’s record 6,542 firearms, which was itself... Read More »
New York Gov. Hochul announces new crime and public safety initiatives in 2024 State of the State address
Using her 2024 State of the State address this week as a springboard, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new initiatives on crime and public safety, including crackdowns on retail theft and gun violence, and support for both domestic violence and hate crime prosecution. “If government... Read More »
Homeland Security releases 2024 Law Enforcement Resource Guide for departments nationwide
For Law Enforcement Appreciation Day this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a 2024 Law Enforcement Resource Guide for state, local, tribal, territorial and campus law enforcement to check for training and resource support. It was the third annual release of... Read More »
U.S. Navy sailor sentenced to prison for transmitting military information to Chinese intelligence
A service member in the U.S. Navy was sentenced this week to 27 months in prison and fined $5,500 for taking bribes and transmitting sensitive military information to an intelligence officer from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The court named the sentenced as Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao... Read More »
Justice Department has barred more than 500 illegal firearm purchases due to enhanced background checks
Since the 2022 implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that, as of December 2023, it had stopped more than 500 unlawful firearm purchases by people under 21 years old. “In the 19 months since the passage of the Bipartisan... Read More »
Energy sector physical and cyber security projects focus of $70M federal funding opportunity
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) last week announced up to $70 million would be made available for projects working to improve the energy sector’s security. The security improvements, addressing both physical and... Read More »
Colorado delegation urges FEMA to increase support for those assisting migrant arrivals
With more than 32,000 migrant arrivals in the city of Denver alone as of December 2023, federal Democratic lawmakers from Colorado have called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase support for cities and nonprofits assisting those migrants. In a letter, the lawmakers –... Read More »
Massachusetts delegation urges President Biden to remove Cuba from terrorism sponsor list
In a letter to President Joe Biden at the beginning of this year, senators and representatives from Massachusetts called on President Joe Biden to strike Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List, in a rebuke of Trump-era decisions. While President Barack Obama removed Cuba from that list... Read More »
DoD opens Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to feedback
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) this week published a proposed rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, designed to keep defense contractors compliant with information protection requirements and the protection of sensitive data. Applicable to both contractors... Read More »
BARDA awards $117M contract for clinical trial of three ARDS novel therapeutics
A $117 million contract for the simultaneous evaluation of three novel therapeutics to treat hospitalized adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) went to PPD Development, LP, care of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) last week. BARDA, as... Read More »
FEMA announces second, $150M funding opportunity for natural hazards-focused capitalization grants
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in-hand, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a second funding opportunity for its Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to provide capitalization grants to disaster-vulnerable communities. Meant to help... Read More »
Senate bill proposes new reporting requirements for attacks on law enforcement
With the introduction of the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act this week, five senators sought to increase the information that can be supplied about anti-police attacks and explore their impacts on officers’ mental health. According to the group, it would... Read More »
Sen. Peters calls out cumbersome terrorist screening practices, recommends changes for civil liberties
A new report released by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, called out cumbersome traveler screening among federal agencies and insufficient oversight of discrimination. The report was looking into the terrorist watchlist... Read More »
TSA partners with Amtrak, Transport Canada for international exercise on cross-border system threats
In a first for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the agency joined an exercise in Canada with Amtrak and Transport Canada last week to address surface and critical infrastructure threats to cross border systems. They held an exercise scenario developed by TSA’s Surface... Read More »
Congress authorizes speedy transfer of seven C-130 aircraft to help California fight wildfires
After significant lobbying by the Newsom administration, Congress last week authorized and hastened the transfer of seven United States Coast Guard-owned C-130 aircraft to CAL FIRE, for California’s use in fighting wildfires. “These are aircraft that can mobilize quickly and attack... Read More »
Treasury Department sanctions Malas Mañas organization over human smuggling, drugs trafficking
In response to a report by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Malas Mañas transnational criminal organization (TCO) over its human smuggling and drug trafficking at the southwest border. The action... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Cornyn introduce bill to keep Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office open
With a looming sunset date for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bill this week to keep the agency open for another two years. At stake, according to Peters, is... Read More »
Justice Department releases reporting, storage models for states to consider for gun safety
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) this week published two models for states to consider in terms of legislation to address gun violence and improve gun safety. The first model would lock in requirements for securing firearms in residences and vehicles to prevent their acquisition by... Read More »
FEMA awards $22.4M grant to help Philadelphia hire 72 firefighters
Through its SAFER grant program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded more than $22.4 million this week to the city of Philadelphia, to reopen three city fire stations and staff them with firefighters for three years. As a result, the city will hire and provide benefits to 72... Read More »
New bill would block American genetic data from access by companies tied to foreign adversaries
With the introduction of the Safeguarding American Genetic Data Act of 2023 last week, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) sought to prevent biotechnology companies with ties to foreign adversaries from accessing American genetic data and personal health information. “Every day, Americans get blood... Read More »
BAE Systems, U.S. Department of Commerce research non-binding preliminary agreement for new national security project
The Biden administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce, reached a non-binding preliminary agreement with BAE Systems Electronic Systems to provide approximately $35 million in federal incentives for its new Microelectronics Center in Nashua, N.H. By the end of the project, the... Read More »
Funding for 9/11 health care included in FY24 National Defense Authorization Act
Among the items that were included in the final version of the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week was $676 million in funding for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), providing millions in coverage support for responders to the 9/11 aftermath. The... Read More »
Republican senators introduce Iran China Accountability Act
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), together with seven Republican colleagues, reintroduced the Iran China Accountability Act this week in a push to weaken Iran’s relationship with communist China and ensure that the United States not move forward with any nuclear agreement without congressional... Read More »
CISA sets physical security performance goals for faith-based organizations
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this week released a new set of physical security performance goals for faith-based organizations. Partially in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians,... Read More »
Congress advances TRANQ Research Act in bid to understand, counter synthetic opioids
Opioids have remained a major focus for Congress in recent years, given the scope of their spread across the United States, and this came to a head once more this week with the House’s passage of the TRANQ Research Act (H.R.1734), which now heads to President Joe Biden. If approved, the bill... Read More »