Threats
House Homeland Security committee, federal agencies hold classified briefing focused on TikTok
Security concerns regarding TikTok, which have passed in and out of Congress for years, surged back into focus again recently as the House Committee on Homeland Security gathered federal agencies for a classified briefing on the Chinese firm-owned app. In a meeting led by U.S. Rep. August... Read More »
Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act proposes border changes, appropriations for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan
With the introduction of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act recently, a bipartisan mix of representatives are pushing for year-long authorities to secure the United States-Mexico border and provide $66.32 billion for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This latest attempt to both solve... Read More »
Discussion draft of ONSHORE Manufacturing Act proposes incentives for domestic battlefield medicine, device manufacturing
U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) released this week a discussion draft of a new bill known as the ONSHORE Manufacturing Act, which proposes incentives to encourage domestic manufacturing of critical battlefield medicines and devices. ONSHORE, which stands for the Our Nation’s Supply chain for... Read More »
TSA reports successful operations during Super Bowl LVIII weekend
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported successful safety operations during Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nev., securing the routes in and out of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and continuing their efforts once the game was over. At LAS, the TSA readied for a surge of... Read More »
Republican bill proposes death penalty or life sentences for killing police officers
Through the Fallen Law Enforcement Act introduced this week, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and John Cornyn (R-TX) seek to strengthen penalties for attacks on law enforcement across the board. The bill would require death penalties or life imprisonment imposed on anyone... Read More »
International effort results in cybercrime charges, seizure of internet domains used to sell malware
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with international law enforcement organizations, recently announced the seizure of internet domains used to sell malware and a pair of indictments lodged against individuals in Malta and Nigeria. Federal authorities in Boston seized four... Read More »
DETECT Act seeks cybersecurity guidelines for federal usage of drones
With their recent introduction of the Drone Evaluation to Eliminate Cyber Threats Act of 2024 (DETECT Act), U.S. Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) seek to direct the development of cybersecurity guidelines for the federal government’s use of drones. “Drones and unmanned systems... Read More »
Department of Homeland Security, NFL collaborate on Super Bowl security
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, traveled to Las Vegas, Nev., this week as part of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) review of operations underway for Super Bowl LVIII, in conjunction with local and state law enforcement and the National Football League (NFL). The... Read More »
Bill to improve federal building security advances to Senate floor
Overcoming its first hurdle, the Improving Federal Building Security Act (S.3613) passed out of committee this week, putting its ideas of timely improvements for federal buildings into consideration by the full Senate. Earlier, the Federal Protective Service (FPS) issued recommendations on... Read More »
DHS launches artificial intelligence expert hiring push to scrutinize use of AI
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to hire 50 artificial intelligence experts this year as part of a unique initiative meant to create a new team focused on ensuring responsible use of AI. Dubbed a hiring sprint, the effort will yield what the DHS is calling its AI Corps.... Read More »
FBI arrests nearly 200 people in push against large-scale drug-trafficking organizations
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced charges against nearly 200 people over the last several weeks as part of a nationwide crackdown on drug-trafficking organizations. Arrests were made from seven different field offices: Los Angeles, Columbia, Anchorage, Pittsburgh, Baltimore,... Read More »
Senators press TSA for answers as agency delays planned PreCheck enrollment expansion
Despite legal obligations, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has delayed expanding its PreCheck program to underserved areas and reportedly opened itself to security breaches, earning the ire of two senators this week. United States Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Thune (R-SD)... Read More »
Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Competition Act advances out of committee with bipartisan support
In a recent vote, the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Competition Act advanced its way out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, leaving the Senate to consider its push to prepare federal employees for cybersecurity threats. “By ensuring our nation has a... Read More »
Anti-drug trafficking operation leads to charges against nearly 200 people nationwide
The U.S. Justice Department recently concluded a series of nearly 200 arrests across the country as part of a large-scale operation against drug-trafficking organizations. The cases spanned four districts and 10 states, as part of a calculated approach by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices – and... Read More »
New federal bill would limit certain foreign biotechnology companies from accessing U.S. genetic data
Seeking to keep adversaries’ hands off sensitive American genetic data, a bipartisan and bicameral group of federal lawmakers recently introduced the Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act of 2024 and took aim at certain biotechnology companies’ practices. “Every... Read More »
HHS releases voluntary healthcare performance goals for cybersecurity improvements
Eying ways to improve cybersecurity among healthcare operations nationwide, the U.S. Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) released new voluntary performance goals and a new gateway website this week. “We have a responsibility to help... Read More »
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 »