Iran’s Proxies Are Weaker. That Doesn’t Mean We’re Safer.
Iran’s proxy network—Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis—has been degraded by battlefield losses, but the remaining cells are more fragmented and harder to detect. Days before the conflict escalated, the FBI dismissed a dozen agents monitoring Iranian threats, and U.S. counter‑terrorism offices at the Justice and State Departments have been slashed, weakening surveillance capacity. Recent attacks in the United States and Europe, from an Austin bar shooting to a Detroit synagogue assault, illustrate how decentralized actors can exploit the intelligence gap. Experts warn that restoring leadership at the National Counterterrorism Center and rebuilding partner relationships are essential to counter the evolving threat.
Does the US-Iran War Increase the Risk of Lone-Actor Terrorism in the UK?
The article evaluates whether the US‑Israel‑Iran war heightens lone‑actor terrorism risk in the United Kingdom. It records 23 attacks from 2013‑2025, with the Manchester Arena bombing responsible for 72% of fatalities, and notes that MI5 has disrupted dozens of plots....
The Defense-in-Depth Question the United States Has Not Asked
The United States bases Tier‑1 critical‑infrastructure protection on Post‑Quantum Cryptography (PQC) alone, diverging from its broader defense‑in‑depth doctrine. A new ICIT paper shows that PQC and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) are technically coupled, sharing authentication and downgrade vulnerabilities, yet U.S....
CISA Webinar 4/7 – 4/8: Federal Security Certification Virtual Training
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is hosting a free Federal Security Certification Training (FSCT) webinar on April 7‑8, covering the Interagency Security Committee’s risk management process and Facility Security Committee responsibilities. The course satisfies the minimum training requirements...
GAO: 5 Out of 6 Federal Agencies Not Using Cyber Workforce Dashboard
The Office of Personnel Management introduced a Cyber Workforce Dashboard in 2023 to give federal agencies a unified view of cyber staffing and enable benchmarking. A GAO review of six agencies found that five agencies—and OPM itself—do not use the...
Craig Basham Appointed Deputy CIO at the U.S. Secret Service
Craig Basham has been named Deputy Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Secret Service. He previously served as Deputy Executive Director of the DHS Office of the CIO, overseeing IT operations for more than 12,000 personnel across the National Capital...
The Real Stakes in the DOW Vs. Anthropic AI Battle: Part I
The General Services Administration’s draft AI contract clause asserts government ownership of all data, outputs, and derivative value, while prohibiting vendors from reusing that information for model improvement. Anthropic has pushed back, arguing the clause undermines the feedback loops essential...
New Report Exposes And Details Iranian Regime Supporters Across The U.S.
The Middle East Media Research Institute released a detailed report exposing Iranian‑inspired terror networks and propaganda operations across the United States. It documents operatives scouting targets, establishing religious and educational venues, and mobilizing student groups to spread Tehran’s revolutionary ideology....
FEMA Announces Additional Public Assistance for Michigan Utilities
President Trump amended FEMA’s Major Disaster Declaration 4880‑DR‑MI to include Public Assistance Category F for utilities across all declared Michigan counties and tribal jurisdictions. The change enables the agency to reimburse at least 75% of eligible repair costs for electric infrastructure,...
Homeland Security Today Announces Expanded Counterterrorism Editorial Board
Homeland Security Today announced a major expansion of its Counterterrorism vertical, unveiling a dedicated Editorial Board of more than 40 experts from government, academia, and industry, and launching a new "Frontline Watch" feature. The board, chaired by Dr. Mahmut Cengiz,...
Convicted Child Sex Offender in Texas Denaturalized With Help From USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assisted ICE in revoking the citizenship of Carlos Noe Gallegos, a Mexican national who concealed a child sexual‑assault conviction during his 2010 naturalization. The Southern District of Texas found his citizenship was illegally obtained...
The Global Spread of Salafi-Jihadism and Its Enduring Security Threat
Salafi‑jihadist ideology remains a durable global security threat, responsible for roughly 45% of all terrorist attacks between 2021 and 2024. Despite leadership decapitations and territorial losses, affiliates operate in more than 25 countries, sustaining a steady operational tempo of 3,000‑plus...
Department of War Contracts for March 20, 2026
The Department of War announced a series of major defense contracts on March 20, 2026, including a $414 million modification that lifts the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory’s Missile Defense Agency award to a $714 million ceiling through November 2031. The...
Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Requests GAO Review of Threats Posed by AI-Enabled Terrorism
The House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, led by Chairman August Pfluger, has asked the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive review of how extremist groups exploit emerging artificial‑intelligence tools. The letter highlights that generative AI enables cheap, mass‑produced...
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star Completes Operation Deep Freeze 2026 Mission
U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Polar Star completed its 2026 Operation Deep Freeze mission after 55 days below the Antarctic Circle, covering 14,000 miles. The cutter rescued the cruise ship Scenic Eclipse II, cut a seven‑mile ice channel, and escorted the...
Transportation Department Opens $650K Design Challenge for U.S. Infrastructure Projects
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy launched the "Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Challenge," a nationwide design competition offering $650,000 in prize money. The contest spans three tiers—Professional, Public, and Student—targeting designers, artists, and K‑12 students with top awards of $250,000, $50,000,...
Hearing Targets Risks to U.S. Infrastructure From Chinese AI and Robotics Systems
On March 17, the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection held a hearing to assess national‑security threats posed by Chinese artificial‑intelligence, robotics and autonomous‑sensing technologies. Lawmakers focused on firms such as DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics, warning that their systems...
Michael Robbins Testifies Before Congress on Risks of Chinese Robotics and AI
Michael Robbins, CEO of AUVSI, testified before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee warning that China is executing a state‑backed plan to dominate the global robotics and physical AI market. He argued that massive subsidies enable Chinese firms to flood markets...
Northern Virginia’s Data Center Alley Processes 70% of Global Internet Traffic
Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” home to 570 facilities, processes an estimated 70% of global internet traffic. The region’s advantages—affordable power from natural gas and nuclear, abundant water, and a dense fiber network—have attracted major cloud providers. Energy demand from...
Updated Report Tracks Jihadist Terrorism Trends in the U.S. Since 9/11
An updated report now tracks jihadist terrorism cases in the United States from the post‑9/11 era through 2024, expanding the original 2021 analysis with fresh data. It catalogs individuals accused of jihadist‑related crimes domestically or abroad, including some who died...
Six Critical 5G Security Challenges as Connectivity Expands
5G’s rollout introduces unprecedented bandwidth and low latency, enabling applications from autonomous vehicles to remote surgery, but also expands the cyber attack surface dramatically. The architecture’s reliance on software‑defined networking, network slicing, and edge computing creates new vectors such as...
Report Urges Congressional Action to Support AI Adoption Across Federal Agencies
A new report by the Partnership for Public Service and Inclusive Abundance urges Congress to act to accelerate AI adoption across federal agencies. It finds that workforce gaps, talent shortages, fragmented communication, and legacy IT systems are slowing progress. The...
For Your Information, Inc. Awarded $37M U.S. Secret Service Contract for HR Staffing Support
For Your Information, Inc., a SBA‑certified woman‑owned small business, secured a nearly $37 million contract from the U.S. Secret Service to provide human‑resources staffing support. The two‑year award, administered through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule, obligates $7.12 million annually and was won...
Canada Announces $40 Billion Plan to Strengthen Arctic Security, Infrastructure, and Development
Canada announced a $40 billion Arctic strategy, allocating over $35 billion in federal funds to boost security, infrastructure, and economic development. The plan earmarks $32 billion for forward operating locations in Yellowknife, Inuvik and Iqaluit, plus $2.67 billion for new support hubs and nodes....
NIWC Carries MRAP Innovation Forward With Marine Drone Defeating Air Defense System
The Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC) delivered the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) to the Marine Corps, mounting a 30 mm cannon, Stinger missiles and electronic‑warfare tools on two JLTVs. Developed from 2022 using commercial‑off‑the‑shelf parts and the command’s...
Infrastructure Resilience in an Era of Escalation: Why Cross-Sector Coordination Is the Critical Path
U.S. intelligence warns foreign adversaries, especially Iran, are intensifying cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. The 2025 Threat Assessment highlights coordinated efforts by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea across energy, transport, water, and manufacturing sectors. CISA reports Iranian actors using...
Global Financial Crime Surges to $4.4 Trillion, New Report Warns
Nasdaq Verafin’s 2026 Global Financial Crime Report estimates illicit activity at $4.4 trillion, a $1.3 trillion increase since 2023 and a 19.2% CAGR. Drug trafficking accounts for $1.1 trillion, human trafficking $528.5 billion, and terrorist financing $16.2 billion. Fraud scams surged to $579.4 billion, driven by...
Former FBI Counterintelligence Agent Jeffrey Parsons Joins GWU Program on Extremism as Senior Research Fellow
Jeffrey Parsons, a former FBI counterintelligence and counterterrorism specialist, has been appointed senior research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism. He brings more than three decades of experience from the FBI, MITRE’s AI‑focused counterintelligence work, and a naval...
Transportation Department Launches ‘Freedom Moves You’ Campaign Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled the “Freedom Moves You” campaign, a free storytelling program that places historic American imagery in airports, train stations, bus stops and highways. The initiative, powered by images from the Heritage Foundation, will appear...
Risk of Instability in Iraq Following Strikes on Iran Examined in New Report
A new EdgeTheory report warns that the U.S. strike on Iran‑backed militia Kataʼib Hezbollah on Feb. 28 has heightened instability risks in Iraq. The analysis links rising militia retaliation and amplified narrative activity to Iraq’s already fragile Shi’a‑dominated political system. Researchers...
Transportation Department Hosts Nationwide Events to Connect Small Businesses With Infrastructure Contracts
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a series of Small Business Matchmaking Summits across the country, beginning with a kickoff in Phoenix on March 11. Over 300 small firms have already registered to meet federal decision‑makers and learn how to...
Investigation Finds Russian Military Veterans Aboard Sanctioned Oil Tankers
An OCCRP investigation uncovered that Russian oil tankers sailing the Baltic Sea have been crewed with two extra Russian men listed as supernumeraries. These individuals lack maritime credentials and are tied to the Wagner Group, Russian paratrooper units, or the...
COLUMN: The Terrorism Risks of Escalation: What Military Strikes on Iran Could Trigger
The column warns that recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, could reshape the global terrorism landscape. It argues that leadership decapitation rarely dismantles either terrorist groups or state‑based ideological systems, as Iran’s institutional...
Frontline Watch: Effects of the Iran War and Retaliatory Attacks
The United States and Israel began a coordinated campaign on Feb. 28, 2026, striking Iran’s political leadership, missile infrastructure and nuclear facilities, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases across the Middle East. The operation coincided with the reported killing of...
CBP Announces March Virtual Recruitment Events
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced five virtual recruitment events for March, covering roles from Marine Interdiction Agents to Border Patrol officers. The webinars target veterans, military spouses, and candidates interested in the San Diego field office, among others. CBP...
GAO: Panel Highlights Overlapping Cyber Regulations and Need for Harmonization
The Government Accountability Office released a second report highlighting how overlapping federal cybersecurity regulations are creating redundant work for owners of critical infrastructure. Industry participants cited duplicated requirements, conflicting definitions, and inconsistent incident‑reporting mandates as major pain points. While agencies...
Trust Is Key to Scaling AI Across Government, Senior Advisor for AI at DOT Says
The Department of Transportation is integrating artificial intelligence to boost employee productivity, but senior AI advisor Anil “Neil” Chaudhry warned that trust is essential for scaling the technology across the agency and the broader federal government. Speaking at the ServiceNow...
Man Charged With Crimes Against Humanity in Syria by UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing War Crimes Unit
A 58‑year‑old former Syrian Air Force Intelligence officer has been charged in the UK with crimes against humanity, including three counts of murder and three counts of torture, for actions during the 2011 Damascus protests. The charges, brought under the...
QuSecure Selected for Small Business Innovation Research Tactical Funding Increase Contract Award
QuSecure, Inc. has been awarded a $3.9 million SBIR Tactical Funding Increase contract by AFWERX to develop quantum‑resilient encryption for U.S. Air Force missions. The award supports the maturation of its QuProtect R3 platform, targeting Impact Level 6 authorization and deployment in classified...
Josh Kussman Joins Accelint as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy
Accelint announced the appointment of Josh Kussman as Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. Kussman, an entrepreneur, attorney, and former homeland security leader, joins after consulting stints and senior roles at Avantus Federal and Sentinel. His track record...
Escalating Cyber Attacks From Iran: Is Your Organization Prepared for State Sponsored Threat Groups?
Escalating geopolitical tensions have amplified Iran‑backed cyber activity, with state‑sponsored groups such as Charming Kitten, APT33, and MuddyWater intensifying spear‑phishing, zero‑day exploits, and custom malware campaigns. These actors target a broad spectrum of sectors, from US political institutions and critical...
SAIC Awarded $95M GAO IT Modernization Contract
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to overhaul its Technical Information Services IT environment. The agreement calls for end‑to‑end services that modernize applications, platforms, and operating models while embedding security, automation,...
2026 National Homeland Security Conference Opens Call for Presentations
The National Homeland Security Association (NHSA) announced a call for presentations for its 2026 National Homeland Security Conference, set for August 10‑13 in Louisville, Kentucky. The event expects more than 1,000 attendees from federal, state, local, military, and private‑sector backgrounds....
DisasterSmiths Podcast Examines What Happens After Communities Receive Disaster Recovery Funding
The DisasterSmiths™ podcast released a new episode titled “From Allocation to Action: What Comes Next?” focusing on the practical steps communities take after receiving federal disaster recovery funding. Hosted by IEM Unscripted, the show features Chuck Lane, Director of Disaster...
Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office
Romanian national Catalin Dragomir pleaded guilty to selling unauthorized access to an Oregon state government computer network and to aggravated identity theft. He provided buyers with personal data samples and sold access to multiple U.S. victims, causing at least $250,000...
IoT Devices Make Municipal Infrastructure an Easy Target for Cyberattackers
Municipalities are rapidly deploying IoT and OT devices for smart‑city services, but many of these assets remain unsecured. In April 2025, hackers exploited default passwords on audio‑enabled crosswalk buttons in three California cities, using AI‑generated voices to broadcast fake messages....
New Paper Examines How AI Could Be Exploited for Terrorist Financing
A new research paper by Jason Blazakis, funded by the EU’s Internal Security Fund and released through RUSI and Project CRAAFT, examines how large language models could be weaponised to facilitate terrorist financing. The study argues that AI‑driven content generation...
Center for Critical Infrastructure Security Awarded Maryland Cyber & AI Clinic Grant
Maryland’s Department of Labor awarded the Center for Critical Infrastructure Security a Cyber & AI Clinic Grant, part of Gov. Wes Moore’s $4 million AI workforce initiative. The grant funds the launch of the Think Like a CISO Academy, a statewide...
Why National Unmanned Aircraft System Policy Must Lead with Integration – Not Interception
The United States faces a pivotal shift in unmanned aircraft system (UAS) policy, urging a move from a counter‑UAS‑first narrative to an integration‑first strategy. Lawful drone operations must become visible through Remote ID, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and public education,...
Retired CISA Contracting Chief Juan Arratia Launches Arratia & Associates
Juan Arratia, former Chief of the Contracting Office at CISA, has announced the launch of Arratia & Associates LLC, a consulting firm that will advise on acquisition, procurement, and audit readiness. The new venture follows more than three decades of senior...