A Questionable “Word of Caution” at House Homeland Security Hearing
A brief exchange between Chairman Peter King and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson on Wednesday was strange. Rep. Thompson questioned the committee's jurisdiction to hold a hearing on whether Iran and Hezbollah pose a terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland....
DetailsNational Security vs Paperwork – EPA Plan Threatens Water System Security
There comes a time when sharing too much information is a dangerous thing, and this is what the Environmental Protection Agency is about to do. In June, the EPA plans to establish Internet access for the public to view...
DetailsPiracy is Alive and Well and More Than Your Wallet is at Risk
If you mention the word “piracy” to someone, chances are images of Johnny Depp’s character from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but the sobering facts are that savagery on the high seas is very real and becoming a...
DetailsSAFETY Act Reached Major Milestones in 2011
Having been involved with DHS’ Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) since its inception, my antenna are always alert for mentions of it. Like in late 2008, I am surprised that Homeland Security Secretary...
DetailsNapolitano’s Speech with DHS Cupcake: A Review
Maybe it’s just a Washington thing, but no where can you gather more than a hundred or so people in a significant venue for a major speech on a topic of national importance that says… well… nothing. Such was...
DetailsNapolitano’s State of Homeland Security Filled with Missed Opportunities
DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano delivered a "State of Homeland Security" address yesterday at the National Press Club and did a wonderful job delivering a very droll message. She is an accomplished public speaker and was comfortable in reading from...
DetailsWith Coming Budget Cuts, Opportunities Arise for Small Security Firms and International Markets
The upcoming FY2013 budget request will begin to identify winners and losers in this new scenario. However they are applied, reductions announced on Thursday equal the elimination, roughly, of one Lockheed Martin or a General Dynamics plus a...
DetailsDHS Loses Court Case Against Union Pacific – Justice is Done
The decision of U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon – ordering CBP to halt the imposition of fines against the Union Pacific railroad in their long-running dispute over when the railroad becomes responsible for contraband found on their trains –...
DetailsWhither CBP?
In just over two weeks, barring an unanticipated miracle, CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin’s recess appointment will run out. There are many positive things that can be said for how Bersin handled his tenure at CBP. Nevertheless, it does not...
DetailsA Public/Public Partnership – Addressing Water Sector Security
Following the recent attention given to the water sector’s vulnerability to cyber intrusion, there’s been a lot of talk about what went wrong, whose fault it was and why changes need to be made in the sector. However, the...
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