Security

Countries Discuss Outer Space Cooperation

BEIJING -- November 17, 2009 -- China and the United States today released a joint statement at the conclusion of formal talks between President Obama and President Hu Jintao that included agreements on nuclear weapons issues and cooperation in space.

In the statement, the United States and China "reaffirmed their commitment made on 27 June 1998 not to target at each other the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control." This reverses a decision by the Bush administration, which was first announced in the 2002 Nuclear Posture Review, to target China with U.S. nuclear weapons.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - The Strengthening and Updating Resources and Equipment (SURE) Act, which was introduced by Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy on October 16th, was passed today by the House Committee on Homeland Security.

The SURE Act, which will allow first responders to maintain the capabilities necessary to prepare and protect their communities against acts of terrorism and other emergencies, has gained the support of 25 cosponsors including Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson.    » read more »

Amendment Based on Recommendations of a Government Study is Latest Addition to Feingold's Control Spending Now Act to Slash the Deficit

November 17, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is hailing Senate passage of his amendment to the military construction appropriations bill to enhance the security of our nuclear arsenal and more effectively use taxpayer dollars.    » read more »

In Letter to Obama, Markey encourages President to Dramatically Alter our Nuclear Weapons Mission

November 16, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and the founder of the House Bipartisan Task Force on Nonproliferation, today wrote to President Obama encouraging him to dramatically rethink the way nuclear weapons are used in our country.

Markey urged President Obama to continue his strong leadership on nuclear arms control and nonproliferation with the administration’s forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review, which formally defines the missions and requirements for the U.S. nuclear arsenal.    » read more »

Schumer: Gaping Holes In Federal Gun Background Checks Allowed Fort Hood Shooter To Purchase Gun Unnoticed By Feds

November 16, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Department of Justice to require that a red flag be raised when someone who has been the subject of a terrorist inquiry attempts to purchase a gun after reports emerged today that the Fort Hood shooting suspect was able to purchase a gun and pass the background check even though the Joint Terrorism Task Force had reviewed certain communications of the suspect related to a terrorist investigation.    » read more »

Amendment Based on Recommendations of a Government Study is Latest Addition to Feingold's Control Spending Now Act to Slash the Deficit

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold offered legislation today to enhance the security of our nuclear arsenal and more effectively use taxpayer dollars. The legislation is part of Feingold’s larger effort to slash the deficit by more than one half trillion dollars with the Control Spending Now Act, which he introduced last month.    » read more »

Senate Coalition Report Shows Missile Force Crucial to U.S. Security

November 6, 2009 -- Washington – Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) today released a comprehensive study on the importance of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force to America’s national security. The 23 page report, entitled “The Long Pole of the Nuclear Umbrella,” concludes that ICBMs are the most stabilizing part of the nation’s nuclear triad and validates the need to maintain an ICBM force of 450 missiles.    » read more »

Ensures University Laboratories Are Not Burdened by Regulations Intended for Commercial Facilities

Washington, Nov 6 - Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) offered an amendment to the Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009 with Rep. Ben Lujan (NM-3) that would require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to create and report a plan of precaution and prevention to accompany normal campus procedures, instead of subjecting academic laboratory facilities to the same regulations as large commercial facilities. The amendment was accepted into the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act, which passed by a vote of 230-193.    » read more »

Legislation Includes Rep Clarke’s Grant Program to Train Workers and First Responders in Security Methods

November 6, 2009 -- Washington DC- Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2868, the “Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009” with a vote of 230 to193. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement:

“This week, the House passed H.R. 2868, the ‘Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009.’ I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2868 because it strengthens existing chemical facility regulations (CFATS). When chemical companies don’t follow their own sector’s ‘best practices,’ they put their frontline workers and my constituents at great risk. That is why I am a strong advocate for provisions in the bill that require:    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the final deployment of non-intrusive scanning equipment to detect radiation emanating from materials used in nuclear devices at all Northern border land ports of entry—a major security milestone completed two months ahead of schedule that reflects Secretary Napolitano’s ongoing commitment to strong, layered security at the U.S.-Canada border.

“Securing our Northern border while facilitating legitimate travel and trade requires a strategic combination of technology, personnel and infrastructure,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This technology enhances our capability to guard against terrorism and criminal threats while expediting border crossings for lawful trade and travel.”    » read more »

Nov. 3, 2009 -- The eyes may be the mirror to the soul, but the iris reveals a person’s true identity—its intricate structure constitutes a powerful biometric. A new report by computer scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrates that iris recognition algorithms can maintain their accuracy and interoperability with compact images, affirming their potential for large-scale identity management applications such as the federal Personal Identity Verification program, cyber security and counterterrorism.    » read more »

Computer crimes make headlines but thieves prefer low-tech, old-fashioned theft

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Nov. 2, 2009-- Identity fraud increased substantially in 2008, reversing a four-year trend of decreasing incidents. Researchers say identity fraud increased by 22 percent last year and they anticipate another 22 percent jump in 2009, attributing the increases to crimes of opportunity driven by the economic downturn1.

What’s more, despite recent headlines and growing fears about online security and data breaches, old-fashioned theft is the most popular way thieves steal identities and perpetrate identity fraud.    » read more »

October 27, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) today introduced the Strengthening the Oversight of Nuclear Nonproliferation (SOONN) Act of 2009 to further U.S. and international efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous nuclear materials.

Senator Akaka said: "Nuclear weapon proliferation is among the most critical threats to international security today. This bill will support improvements to U.S. and international efforts to confront this threat."

The SOONN Act calls for a recurring annual report on U.S. nonproliferation activities. This report will detail:

* U.S. spending in support of civilian nuclear programs abroad,
* reductions in the use of highly enriched uranium,    » read more »

TOKYO, Oct. 20, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he looks forward to building on the strong U.S.-Japan security relationship during his meetings here with the new Japanese government, but that he plans to urge its leaders to leave intact security arrangements that have been years in the making.

Gates, the first U.S. Cabinet member to visit since the new Japanese Democratic Party government took office last month, told reporters he understands Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama’s interest in reviewing certain policies. “President [Barack] Obama’s administration has done the same thing,” he said.    » read more »

Boundary Protection and Virtual Private Networking Capability to Be Provided Under $5 Million Deal

ASHBURN, Va. – October 19, 2009 – Verizon Business will help the NATO Command, Control and Communications Agency (NC3A) strengthen NATO's network security with a package of networking and security services.

Under a new deal valued at about $5 million covering two years and an optional one-year extension, Verizon Business through Verizon Cybertrust Security in Belgium will implement a highly resilient virtual private network for approximately 30 locations on the agency's existing network. The company will provide secure gateways to and from the Internet as well as the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption for users on the network.    » read more »