DHS
DHS cancels S&T grants under a new mission focus for the directorate
The Department of Homeland Security’s national security research subdivision, the Science and Technology Directorate, will stop current grants and refocus its mission priorities.
CX lead at DHS announces departure from government
Dana Chisnell, the first DHS executive director for customer experience, said March 28 was her last day with the department and “my last official day working for the federal government.”
Karen Evans tapped for DHS undersecretary weeks after assuming CISA role
Evans had been selected as both a senior advisor and then executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA prior to her DHS nomination.
DOGE allies want more online identity verification despite its mixed efficacy
New testing at DHS shows a wide range in the performance of online identity proofing systems. Some simply don’t work well.
Senate Democrats want details on DOGE and DHS attempts to access IRS data
The IRS reportedly rejected the broad requests for taxpayer information, but the lawmakers worry recent actions have “left the door open for future requests.”
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DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post
McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.
Top House cyber lawmaker to press DHS on key infrastructure group’s shutdown
Industry representatives say the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council has been a valuable information-sharing tool. It was disbanded last week under an order from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
In reversal, CISA workforce now permitted to take deferred resignation offer
The move could enable the Trump administration to reduce the size and scope of the cyber agency.
DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX
CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.
DHS must do more to appropriately govern AI, watchdog finds
An oversight report from DHS's OIG noted the agency's many big steps in AI governance, but added specific areas that need to be updated to advance safe federal uses of the tools.
GOP lawmakers push for DHS innovation arm to secure sensitive data
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate would be required to develop a process for safeguarding the information in its research and development projects.
Senate confirms Kristi Noem to head Trump’s DHS
Noem is likely to direct a reevaluation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s spending priorities, amid GOP accusations that the agency censored conservative views online.
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Democrats worry over Trump funding priorities for CISA’s disinfo efforts
President Donald Trump’s nominee to run DHS wants the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to be smaller and stay out of monitoring disinfo.
TSA’s facial recognition tech is highly accurate, review says
A DHS analysis found that self-identified Black volunteers who participated in testing of TSA’s biometric tools had the lowest face matching success rate of any demographic group, with an overall accuracy of 98%.
DHS cyber review board cleaned out in Trump move to eliminate ‘misuse of resources’
The board was actively investigating a Chinese hack into telecommunications systems.
Trump’s DHS pick says CISA is ‘far off-mission’ and should be smaller
Current South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wants CISA to be “refocused” on critical infrastructure and to no longer address mis- or disinformation efforts online.
DHS launches new AI playbook for public sector
The new guidance is intended for other government organizations to use and draws on lessons learned from three internal pilot programs.
Senators want DHS to detail efforts to mitigate GPS disruptions
Sens. Maggie Hassan. D-N.H., and James Lankford, R-Okla., expressed concerns that adversarial powers are investing in land-based alternatives to GPS, but that the U.S. has not taken similar steps.
DHS launches internal GenAI chatbot to leverage non-public data
Agency Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the tool, known as DHSChat, “will help men and women across DHS draft vital reports, summarize critical information, develop new software, streamline administrative tasks and much more.”
DHS surveillance tools lack bias and privacy protections, GAO says
DHS law enforcement agencies are currently developing policies to reduce bias in the use of AI-enabled tech but have no plans to do so for other monitoring tools.
