Category: IA News

Civilian and military emergency response teams sprang into action after Hurricane Hermine made landfall on the western coast of Florida earlier this month. Responders included the Florida National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package and part of Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue Team. Flooding in the area has been extensive, affecting many […]

Last Thursday marked the beginning of the 2016 National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit. Due to the success of last year’s theme, “Don’t Wait, […]

Several U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies are investigating possible cyber-attacks aimed at November’s presidential election. While the agencies do not have conclusive proof that Russia is involved in a specific plot, officials from the FBI, CIA, National Security Agency (NSA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are concerned. One official said that “even the hint of […]

On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the U.S. will provide nearly $138 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help the South Sudanese people. This brings the total U.S. humanitarian contribution to more than $1.7 billion since the conflict in South Sudan began in December 2013. The new funding includes emergency health and nutrition services, […]

In July, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report assessing the effectiveness of emergency communications after the implementation of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA). The PKEMRA was enacted to improve the federal government’s preparation for and response to disasters, including emergency communications. GAO-16-681 examines federal efforts to implement PKEMRA emergency communications […]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has promised to address cybersecurity risks within each state’s election systems. DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson remarked during a conference call earlier this month that while DHS is not aware of any credible threats to the general election systems, multiple entities are available to offer support and assistance in protecting […]

On August 10, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the initial results of their Combating Zika and Future Threats Grand Challenge that was issued in April of this year. USAID’s efforts align with the whole-of-government strategy to combat Zika. The challenge called for innovations from around the world to address the current Zika outbreak […]

This week a select group of civilians was invited to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference (JCOC), an event that has occurred fairly regularly since 1948, where they visited the Pentagon and other military bases to learn first hand from the troops and leaders of the armed services. The week-long conference includes 40 participants […]

The White House Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity has posted a request for information (RFI) regarding cybersecurity in the digital economy. The Commission’s RFI explains their goal, stating that “Steps must be taken to enhance existing efforts to increase the protection and resilience of the digital ecosystem, while maintaining a cyber environment that encourages efficiency, innovation […]

The Department of Defense (DoD) has updated its procedures on intelligence activities. The updated manual governs “how DoD intelligence elements will conduct activities supporting their missions while safeguarding legal rights and protections guaranteed by the Constitution to all U.S. persons,” said DoD senior intelligence oversight official Michael Mahar. Changes to DoD Manual 5240.01, “Procedures Governing the Conduct […]