House Homeland Security Committee

Four key highlights from the Microsoft cybersecurity hearing

Microsoft President Brad Smith made a number of key commitments, but faced no harsh criticism for his company’s documented cybersecurity shortcomings.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers advance DHS bills to ban Chinese batteries, help TSAers with commute

Acquisition Policy

TSA, AFGE aim to expand workforce options in new 7-year contract

Unions

DHS reviewing misconduct discipline processes after unpublished IG reports come to light

Agency Oversight

‘Groundbreaking’ CISA directive to overhaul cyber vulnerability management process

Cybersecurity

TSA’s biggest challenge in two decades? Securing better pay for frontline workers, leaders say

Workforce

Jawan Williams loads his vehicle with sandbags before landfall of Hurricane Ida at the Frederick Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, La., which is part of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. The storm is expected to bring winds as high as 140 mph when it slams ashore late Sunday. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

FEMA deploying over 2,000 employees as Ida carves destructive path

Federal Newscast

Tanker trucks are parked near the entrance of Colonial Pipeline Company Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. The operator of the nation’s largest fuel pipeline has confirmed it paid $4.4 million to a gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems. That's according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Colonial Pipeline’s CEO Joseph Blount told the Journal that he authorized the payment after the ransomware attack because the company didn’t know the extent of the damage. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

CISA under pressure to put more teeth in cyber requirements following Colonial Pipeline attack

Cybersecurity

A Transportation Security Administration employee helps air travelers submit their bags for inspection at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Is the General Schedule the best way to raise pay, morale for TSA workers?

Pay

GAO flags longstanding quality and organizational concerns with DHS OIG

Agency Oversight

Katko calls for $5B CISA budget to reflect its ‘quarterback’ status

Cybersecurity

(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

CISA tells agencies to patch or unplug on-premise Microsoft email systems

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said exploitations could let hackers gain persistent system access and control of an enterprise network.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers concerned CISA lacks ‘centralized visibility’ to hunt agency cyber threats

The Biden administration is touting a whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity that leading members of Congress has stressed for years.

Cybersecurity

TSA officers wear protective masks at a security screening area at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday, May 18, 2020, in SeaTac, Wash. Airlines say they are stepping up security on flights to Washington before next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Delta, United and Alaska airlines said Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 they will bar passengers flying to Washington from putting guns in checked bags. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Congressman wonders when DHS frontline employees will get vaccinated

Federal Newscast

In today’s Federal Newscast, House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member John Katko (R-N.Y.) wants to know what the plan is for vaccinating frontline DHS employees.