Digital Government
Immigration Officials Use Secretive Gang Databases to Deny Migrant Asylum Claims
Legal experts and human rights advocates say they were not told about the databases and question their reliability.
Digital Government
Lawmaker Calls for Outside Investigation of Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group
The Homeland Security Department has condemned derogatory comments posted within the group and promised a review of its own.
Digital Government
CBP Approving ‘Potentially High-Risk’ People for Trusted Traveler Program
The Homeland Security Department Inspector General found officers aren’t properly vetting applicants for the Global Entry program or checking their status at ports of entry.
Cybersecurity
Agencies Are Leaving Sensitive Data Vulnerable to Hackers, Congress Says
Amid growing threats from China, Iran and Russia, most agencies are struggling to put in place even the most basic cybersecurity measures, according to congressional researchers.
Emerging Tech
Survey: Many Americans Support Facial Recognition in Airports
Though some think it’s invasive, a new survey suggests attitudes about the emerging tech might be improving.
Emerging Tech
DHS Small Business Innovation Research Awards 1,000th Contract
The Homeland Security Department program celebrated a small business contracting milestone this week.
Cybersecurity
Here's How a Supply Chain Task Force Recommends Avoiding Counterfeit Tech
Federal buyers should help secure supply chains by buying from original manufacturers and authorized resellers.
Artificial Intelligence
Innovation Will Sharpen America’s Tech Edge, Federal Officials Say
Federal and industry executives weighed in on the greatest threats impacting America’s critical infrastructure.
Emerging Tech
Border Patrol Wants Robots that Can Go Underground and Report Back
Homeland Security is looking for innovative robots that can navigate underground tunnels and communicate with headquarters.
Modernization
DHS to Move Biometric Data on Hundreds of Millions of People to Amazon Cloud
The department seeks a new platform to identify people using fingerprints, irises and faces, and eventually DNA, palm prints, scars and tattoos.
Modernization
USCIS Wants An Agile, Automated Biometric App Ecosystem
The immigration agency is looking for a vendor to set up a secure development environment that will outlive the contract.
Cybersecurity
DHS Cyber Incident Response Team Gets House Approval
Lawmakers passed legislation that would stand up a permanent team of cyber specialists to help agency and industry recover from digital attacks.
Cybersecurity
CBP Says Thousands of Traveler Photos Stolen in ‘Malicious Cyber-Attack’
The breach happened at one of the agency’s subcontractors and didn’t involve any data collected under its facial recognition program, officials said.
Cybersecurity
NSA Issues Warning to Patch Legacy Windows Systems Over ‘Wormable’ Threat
The National Security Agency is warning Microsoft Windows administrators to patch and update systems due to a new vulnerability called “BlueKeep.”
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Question Integrity of FBI’s Facial Recognition Program
The bureau for years ignored concerns about the accuracy and transparency of its facial recognition efforts, and the House Oversight Committee isn’t happy about it.
Policy
DHS Would Get At Least $2.9B for Tech, Cyber Under House Proposal
The draft spending bill would set aside funding for new technologies at the border and a couple billion for the government’s central cybersecurity agency.
Digital Government
DHS Needs to Set Guardrails for Its Expanded Insider Threat Program
As the department starts monitoring activity on unclassified networks, officials need to update policies and procedures to keep the program effective and constitutional.
Emerging Tech
CBP’s Airport Facial Recognition ‘Is Not a Surveillance Program’
As the public grows wary of facial recognition, the head of CBP’s biometric entry and exit initiative says the agency is using the tech responsibly.
Digital Government
Homeland Security Watchdog Issues Unusual Retraction of 13 FEMA Reports
Results of self-criticism to be fewer “feel-good” after-action evaluations.
Cybersecurity