Threats
House E&C leaders seek additional information from pharma companies on COVID-19 vaccine
Leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are seeking information from the nine pharmaceutical companies developing COVID-19 vaccines about their research and development efforts and how they are ensuring that only a safe and effective product will be made publicly available. The... Read More »
Secret Service conducts cyber incident simulation
The Secret Service recently hosted a virtual Cyber Incident Response Simulation officials focused on ransomware attack and mitigation strategies. “Recognizing the dynamic nature of this threat, President Trump has made it a priority to build strong and robust cybersecurity across the federal... Read More »
Bill addresses southern border cartel tunnels
Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) has introduced a measure she said is designed to combat cross-border tunnel trafficking operations across the nation’s southern border. The DHS Illicit Border Tunnel Defense Act has a companion measure introduced by Rep.Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) in the House in... Read More »
WHO urges equitable access to COVID-19 tools, maintenance and preparation
Global leaders gather for a virtual session of the 75th United Nations General Assembly this month, and as proceedings got underway, the World Health Organization (WHO) took the opportunity to push for three actions it deems key to the collective future. Foremost among these concerns a weight on... Read More »
NIH awards seven contracts to business, academic institutions for new COVID-19 digital health options
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is looking to innovate in terms of COVID-19 tools, and as a result, has awarded seven contracts to a mix of companies and academic institutions for things like smartphone apps, wearable devices, and software. These technologies could aid in several... Read More »
Federal public health leaders relay timeline for U.S. COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
America’s top public health officials earlier Wednesday briefed U.S. Senate subcommittee members on two documents outlining the Trump administration’s strategy to distribute over the next several months safe, effective and free COVID-19 vaccines to Americans as quickly as possible once the Food... Read More »
Sens. Peters, Klobuchar and Reed introduce bill to counter COVID-19 misinformation
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) has introduced a bill that would create a COVID-19 Misinformation & Disinformation Task Force to counter the rising misinformation and disinformation related to the Coronavirus pandemic. The task force will be charged with coordinating the government’s analysis... Read More »
House Republicans question CDC on plans to address COVID-19, seasonal flu
House Republican leaders are seeking information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how it plans to manage COVID-19 response efforts in addition to the flu and other respiratory issues this season. “We share your concerns about the unprecedented convergence of two... Read More »
DHS providing chemical hazard support
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency is providing chemical hazard support as the Gulf Coast prepares for another major storm. DHS indicated the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) is spearheading the support effort with... Read More »
Louisville Customs and Border Protection seizes 10,000 Virus Shut Out devices
Louisville Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency officials said officers recently seized 10 boxes of Virus Shut Out devices, which officials said does not protect the bearer from the Coronavirus. Authorities indicated the shipment of shut out devices, which claim potency against Coronavirus... Read More »
House of Representatives passes Senate bill seeking cybersecurity improvements to government’s Internet-connected devices
The House this week took up and passed the Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity Improvement Act, a bill originally introduced by U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Mark Werner (D-VA) in 2017, which would require Internet-connected devices purchased by the government to meet certain security... Read More »
BARDA, Marinus pursue treatment for seizures, including those caused by Sarin
With the development of the drug ganaxolone (GNX), Marinus Pharmaceuticals and BARDA hope to create an anticonvulsant capable of halting damaging seizures in their tracks, even those caused by deadly nerve agents like the odorless, colorless liquid, Sarin. Some seizures have proven resilient to... Read More »
Bill introduced in House designed to help Americans protect themselves against cyberthreats
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced a build that would help equip the general public, as well as businesses and governments, with the tools and guidance to protect against cyberthreats. The bill – the Cyber Essentials Act -- directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency... Read More »
DHS expands efforts to combat terrorist threats
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding its efforts to combat emerging terrorist threats and improve information sharing. The DHS’s Public Action Plan outlines the goals set by DHS, including efforts to secure cyberspace, deter lone wolf attacks, and secure soft targets such as... Read More »
CBP Buffalo Field Office reports drug seizure increase
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials recently noted a narcotics seizure increase of more than 1,000 percent within the Buffalo Field Office during fiscal year 2020 over last year. “The work of the officers has been incredible, and their dedication to CBP's enforcement mission is... Read More »
AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine resumes testing in UK following pause for illness
Phase three trials have resumed for the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, AZD1222, after pausing for safety concerns raised when an enrollee came down with an unexplained illness that was later determined to be unrelated to the experimental vaccine. One of the leading candidates in the... Read More »
BARDA joins 98point6 effort at COVID-19 diagnosis, reporting program
The development of a diagnostic tool for assessing, diagnosing, reporting, and tracking COVID-19 patients by 98point6 is now being supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The tool, originally used to treat and track influenza infections, also utilizes a... Read More »
CISA, Colorado Rockies partner safety initiative
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) personnel recently partnered with the Colorado Rockies, as well as state, local, and federal authorities in a safety initiative. Officials recently outlined a virtual tabletop exercise reviewing... Read More »
US lifts enhanced entry restrictions on international air passengers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted enhanced screening requirements on most inbound international flights this week, abruptly changing a system based on 15 airports that have been in place since March. Under current rules, international passengers from high-risk countries... Read More »
Proposed Abiding by U.S. Commitments Act would provide nearly $119M to WHO
U.S. Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced legislation last week seeking to provide $118.9 million in funding for the organization and strengthen global COVID-19 vaccine efforts. The funds provided under the Abiding by U.S. Commitments Act would be a continuation of dues the... Read More »
DOJ office awards $50M for school safety initiatives
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) will award $50 million in funding for school safety initiatives through its School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). The program provides up to 75 percent funding for school safety measures for primary and... Read More »
New study highlights the importance of data, AI in response to COVID-19 challenges
A new report says investment in data and artificial intelligence (AI) is needed to drive the health system improvements needed to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The study – called Reimagining Global Health through Artificial Intelligence: The Roadmap to AI Maturity -- was... Read More »
Senators call on HHS, CDC to improve COVID-19 data collection processes
A bipartisan group of senators recently called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve COVID-19 data collection and management. Specifically, the lawmakers are asking the agencies to harness technologically... Read More »
Rep. Gottheimer targets Foreign Terrorist Organization usage of social media platforms
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) launched this week an initiative designed to aid in combating Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) utilizing social media platforms to recruit and raise funds with cryptocurrencies. Gottheimer said the “Online Arsenal to Combat Foreign Terrorist Organizations”... Read More »
IATA addresses vaccine distribution preparedness
International Air Transport Association (IATA) officials maintain governments should initiate planning with the industry to ensure preparedness when COVID-19 vaccines are approved and ready for distribution. “Safely delivering COVID-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the... Read More »
America First Vaccine Act would require American developers of COVID-19 vaccine to help Americans first
Under new legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), American companies operating with the support of U.S. taxpayer funds would be barred from providing any new COVID-19 vaccine to citizens of other countries ahead of Americans. The America First Vaccine Act (S. 4542) would lock... Read More »
Illness temporarily halts AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID vaccine trials
A top COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was forced to halt phase 3 trials this week after a volunteer became ill, signaling an adverse reaction that could delay the effort at immunization development. The pause was announced as a standard review of... Read More »
IDSA issues guidance on treatment of drug-resistant pathogens
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) issued guidance for the clinical treatment of three of the most common drug-resistant pathogens. While antibiotics save lives, the bacteria and other microbes can evolve in ways that enable them to resist a drug’s intended effect. Misuse or... Read More »
House leaders urge Trump to investigate alleged Russian poisoning of Navalny
U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) are urging the Trump administration to investigate Russia’s alleged use of chemical weapons in the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. This request triggers an investigation into Russia’s alleged violation of... Read More »
Cyberspace Solarium Commission establishes cyber workforce framework
The Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) said the recent release of its new white paper regarding the establishment of a cyber workforce framework seeks to address industry personnel shortfalls. The document, “Growing a Stronger Federal Cyber Workforce” was released at a virtual event... Read More »
Biopharma CEOs seek to reassure public regarding safe COVID-19 vaccines
Amid fears of political pressures to rush a vaccine for COVID-19, nine CEOs of biopharmaceutical companies working on these candidates have signed a pledge to uphold the scientific process and safety in any development. The companies include AstraZeneca, BioNTech, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson &... Read More »
INOVIO aims for 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 through global manufacturing consortium
Thanks to its global manufacturing consortium, biotechnology company INOVIO plans to manufacture 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, INO-4800, in 2021. The latest to join the consortium was Thermo Fisher Scientific earlier this week, which signed a letter of intent on the... Read More »
Trump administration introduces cybersecurity policy for space systems
The Trump administration announced a new cybersecurity policy for systems used in space. The Space Policy Directive- 5 (SPD-5) puts in place key systems for global communications, navigation, weather monitoring, and other critical services. It also establishes the Department of Homeland... Read More »
University of Chicago to launch trial to test antibody treatment for COVID-19
The University of Chicago Medicine is conducting a clinical trial to study the potential of an antibody treatment for COVID-19. For the trial, called BLAZE-1, the University of Chicago is recruiting 22 participants to be treated with the LY-CoV555 antibody developed by Eli Lilly and Company in... Read More »