Security

November 5, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the final deployment of non-intrusive scanning equipment to detect radiation emanating from materials used in nuclear devices at all Northern border land ports of entry—a major security milestone completed two months ahead of schedule that reflects Secretary Napolitano’s ongoing commitment to strong, layered security at the U.S.-Canada border.

“Securing our Northern border while facilitating legitimate travel and trade requires a strategic combination of technology, personnel and infrastructure,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This technology enhances our capability to guard against terrorism and criminal threats while expediting border crossings for lawful trade and travel.”    » read more »

Nov. 3, 2009 -- The eyes may be the mirror to the soul, but the iris reveals a person’s true identity—its intricate structure constitutes a powerful biometric. A new report by computer scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrates that iris recognition algorithms can maintain their accuracy and interoperability with compact images, affirming their potential for large-scale identity management applications such as the federal Personal Identity Verification program, cyber security and counterterrorism.    » read more »

Computer crimes make headlines but thieves prefer low-tech, old-fashioned theft

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Nov. 2, 2009-- Identity fraud increased substantially in 2008, reversing a four-year trend of decreasing incidents. Researchers say identity fraud increased by 22 percent last year and they anticipate another 22 percent jump in 2009, attributing the increases to crimes of opportunity driven by the economic downturn1.

What’s more, despite recent headlines and growing fears about online security and data breaches, old-fashioned theft is the most popular way thieves steal identities and perpetrate identity fraud.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) today introduced the Strengthening the Oversight of Nuclear Nonproliferation (SOONN) Act of 2009 to further U.S. and international efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous nuclear materials.

Senator Akaka said: "Nuclear weapon proliferation is among the most critical threats to international security today. This bill will support improvements to U.S. and international efforts to confront this threat."

The SOONN Act calls for a recurring annual report on U.S. nonproliferation activities. This report will detail:

* U.S. spending in support of civilian nuclear programs abroad,
* reductions in the use of highly enriched uranium,    » read more »

TOKYO, Oct. 20, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he looks forward to building on the strong U.S.-Japan security relationship during his meetings here with the new Japanese government, but that he plans to urge its leaders to leave intact security arrangements that have been years in the making.

Gates, the first U.S. Cabinet member to visit since the new Japanese Democratic Party government took office last month, told reporters he understands Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s interest in reviewing certain policies. “President [Barack] Obama’s administration has done the same thing,” he said.    » read more »

Boundary Protection and Virtual Private Networking Capability to Be Provided Under $5 Million Deal

ASHBURN, Va. – October 19, 2009 – Verizon Business will help the NATO Command, Control and Communications Agency (NC3A) strengthen NATO's network security with a package of networking and security services.

Under a new deal valued at about $5 million covering two years and an optional one-year extension, Verizon Business through Verizon Cybertrust Security in Belgium will implement a highly resilient virtual private network for approximately 30 locations on the agency's existing network. The company will provide secure gateways to and from the Internet as well as the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption for users on the network.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today participated in a special cybersecurity industry roundtable discussion entitled "Cybersecurity: State of Play and Recommendations for Moving Forward." Industry officials and policy makers from both the private and public sectors were invited to assess the current state of cyberspace security and discuss the future of cybersecurity policy.

Rep. Sanchez, who was invited to address the twenty-person panel of experts, delivered the following statement as prepared:

"Good morning! Thank you all for having me here at this critical event to discuss the way forward on cyber security issues.    » read more »

October 16, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon’s bill to ban imports of nuclear waste got a boost today when an official from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirmed the agency currently lacks the power and authority to stop imports and disposal of foreign-generated radioactive waste in the United States.    » read more »

Failed Riverdale Bomb Plot Contributes To Added Funding in the Homeland Security Appropriations

10/15/09 -- Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Eliot Engel voted today to approve the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which included $19 million in federal funds to help protect civil, religious and community institutions from terrorist attacks. The funding will be part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Non-Profit program.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $42.8 billion fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill that includes funding for the Westmoreland County Alternate Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

The House and Senate conferenced this bill, which must now be passed by the full Senate before heading to the President for his signature. The House passed the bill 307-114.    » read more »

House Passes the Homeland Security Appropriations Act

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) helped the House pass crucial investments in priority homeland security programs. The Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2892), which passed the House of Representatives today with broad bipartisan support, increases federal funding for securing America's borders, ports and airports.    » read more »

House approves $42.7 billion for Homeland Security, including provisions inserted by Giffords

October 15, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – A provision by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to improve and extend operation of an employee verification system was part of a $42.7 billion national security appropriation bill approved today by the House of Representatives.

“Employers must be held responsible if they knowingly hire illegal immigrants,” Giffords said. “But employers must also be able to rely on the federal government to provide a reliable system for determining a potential employee’s legal status.”    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Bobby Bright supported the Conference Report on the Homeland Security Appropriations Act today. H.R. 2892 funds the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2010, which includes the Border Patrol, FEMA, air and port security agencies, and grants for first responders. The bipartisan bill passed by a bi-partisan 307-114 margin. Upon Senate passage, the bill goes to the President to be signed into law.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced $88 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) equipment—enhancing border security by expanding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) capabilities to scan commercial traffic for contraband through X-ray and other imaging technologies.

"These cutting-edge technologies will help us better detect threats at our nation's borders while expediting legitimate travel and trade," said Secretary Napolitano. "The Recovery Act has infused critical resources into local economies across the country while strengthening our nation's security."    » read more »

Call for Stricter Guidelines

14 October 2009 -- In October 2006, the military affairs journal Jane's Intelligence Weekly reported that U.S. Army officials detected a “sudden decline” in the effectiveness of some its spy satellites throughout the fall as they passed over China.

Before receiving an explanation from the Chinese military, initial fears were that the country had intentionally aimed ground-based lasers at the U.S. satellites to temporally disrupt their ability to collect information, or worse, materially damage them.

Was this a hostile attempt by the Chinese to test its laser anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, obstructing U.S. military reconnaissance missions in Low Earth Orbit?    » read more »