Homeland Security Today

03/09/2025

In his latest column, Mark Bailey tackles the real-world challenges of bringing AI out of controlled lab environments and into the unpredictable world of homeland security and defense. From AI-driven command systems to high-stakes decision-making under pressure—this is about building resilience for the chaos that’s ahead.

Find out what it takes to prepare AI not just for the sandbox… but for the battlefield.

Read here: https://www.hstoday.us/featured/column-beyond-the-sandbox-preparing-ai-for-the-chaos-of-homeland-security-defense/ now on .

What happens when an algorithm makes a life-or-death decision and no one can explain why?

01/09/2025

September in National Preparedness Month -- and preparedness has never been more critical. We face an evolving landscape of risks—from extreme weather events and nation-state threats to cyber vulnerabilities, global health crises, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Each of us has a role in ensuring the safety of our families, communities, and nation.

This September, we invite you to contribute your perspectives to Homeland Security Today. Submissions may include:
· Opinion pieces highlighting best practices or lessons learned
· Assessments of what is working (or not) in current preparedness programs
· Recommendations for policy or program improvements
· Individual, community, or workplace initiatives that inspire readiness at the local level

See the letter from our NPM Lead, M. Leckey, here:
https://conta.cc/41sGNwu

28/08/2025

“Here’s the bottom line: local public broadcasting stations save lives. That’s not a slogan. It’s a fact.”

We are excited to share a new piece on HSToday by Craig Fugate, former FEMA Administrator. Local public broadcasting stations provide a trusted, reliable lifeline during disasters—reaching communities with critical alerts even when power and cell networks fail.

Read the full article here: https://www.hstoday.us/featured/perspective-public-broadcasting-saves-lives/

Here’s the bottom line: local public broadcasting stations save lives. That’s not a slogan. It’s a fact.

19/08/2025

We invite you to join us for to hear from the leaders who navigated America through our most difficult time in recent memory.

In the wake of the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States faced a fundamental question: how do we secure the homeland against evolving threats? The answer was DHS—a bold reorganization that brought together 22 agencies under one mission: to safeguard the American people.
Now, over two decades later, DHS continues to adapt in a world of shifting challenges—terrorism, cybersecurity, disinformation, disasters, pandemics and much more face the nation. This webinar will feature some of the early leaders and architects present at the founding and early evolution of DHS—to reflect on the policy decisions made, the hard lessons of 9/11, and how the mission of the department must continue to evolve.

Together, they will discuss:
🔑 The original vision for DHS, the 9/11 Commission Report, and what drove its formation after 9/11
🔑 How the Department has evolved to adapt to address 21st-century threats
🔑 Lessons learned from past crises that still shape operations today
‼️ The future of homeland security—and the role DHS must play

We believe this will be one of the most important conversations our nation can have on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Please join us - registration is free at the link below. Please share.
GTSC's Homeland Security Today 9/11 Commemoration September 11, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
https://lnkd.in/gU6ssckd

12/05/2025

“These cases don’t just live in a file. They live with the agents and officers who carry them.”

In Recognition of National Police Week 2025, we honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty, and salute the strength and sacrifice of every officer still carrying the weight of our nation’s toughest cases.

In his article, Derek Benner, former Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations ( ) and now CEO of Our Rescue, shares his personal journey and commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with in the fight against , , and .

📖 Read more:
https://www.hstoday.us/featured/the-cases-we-carry/

All of us who are serving or have served in law enforcement have peered into some of the darkest corners of humanity—investigating human trafficking, child exploitation, gang violence, cartel crimes, narcotics smuggling, illicit financial schemes, and fraud and scams.

01/05/2025

We are thrilled to welcome William Braniff, former Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), has joined our Editorial Board.

“In the continuum of , prevention is key. For our communities, understanding and effectively intervening before an attack occurs is the ultimate goal to prevent loss of life. We are thrilled to have Bill’s insights and experience supporting our mission and direction,” said Tanasichuk, Executive Editor of Homeland Security Today.

https://www.hstoday.us/industry/industry-news/hstoday-welcomes-former-director-of-cp3-at-dhs-william-braniff-to-editorial-board/

19/04/2025

On April 19, 1995, 168 lives were lost in the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.

In recognition of this solemn anniversary, HSToday Executive Editor Kristina Tanasichuk sat down with Daryle Hernandez, Director of the Interagency Security Committee to reflect on the bombing’s impact and the 30 years of progress since.

Formed in the aftermath of the attack, the ISC continues to lead the federal effort to protect civilian facilities from evolving threats.

Watch the full interview:https://www.hstoday.us/featured/30-years-since-oklahoma-city-how-one-tragedy-shaped-our-nations-future-security/

17/04/2025

"For AI to truly support mission outcomes, it needs more than data science. It needs semantics."

In an era where tech often outpaces policy, how do we design AI that supports real-world homeland security operations?

In their piece for HSToday, Tim Coleman and John Bittner break down how to align artificial intelligence with mission-critical outcomes.

Read more: https://www.hstoday.us/featured/from-data-to-decisions-engineering-ai-that-understands-the-mission/

Across the modern defense and intelligence landscape, the flood of data is both a marvel and a menace. Satellite imagery, cyber telemetry, sensor networks, and open-source feeds now produce data at volumes once unimaginable. Yet for all this digital abundance, a familiar question haunts analysts and...

15/04/2025

Not all heroes wear capes—some serve in silence, fighting human trafficking one case at a time. In his latest column, Kevin Metcalf shines a light on the everyday heroes—from law enforcement to tech specialists—making a real difference.

Read how awareness, collaboration, and courage are driving impact in the battle against trafficking.

🔗 https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/human-trafficking/perspective-recognizing-the-everyday-heroes/

Every day, we face reminders of abuse, exploitation, and trafficking—stories that compel us to confront challenging realities. While powerful institutions and influential leaders often dominate our discussions of solutions, the true power to fight these injustices lies within the consistent, coura...

15/04/2025

"One way Narrative Warfare is conducted is by using weaponized stories to undermine narratives; the conscious and specific is used to dismantle the thematic and unconscious.

Why and how? Because nothing is as persuasive as a story. There is no form of argument, no logical process that can move us the way a story does."

In her latest article, Ajit Maan, Ph.D. of Narrative Strategies explores the real battleground in Narrative Warfare.

Read the article here:

One way to lose Narrative Warfare is to fight like it is a battle over information. One way to win is to get your adversary to fight as though it is a battle over information. We have taken the losing position. The difference between Narrative Warfare and what the military competes for, “informati...

14/04/2025

📞🔷 This , we honor the voices behind the scenes—dispatchers, 911 operators, and telecommunicators—who are the lifeline in every emergency. Your calm under pressure saves lives every day.

As we recognize their service, it’s time to equip them with the tools they deserve. This perspective from Robert W. Patterson explores how FirstNet is transforming communications for public safety—offering reliability, resilience, and the future-ready tech our frontline heroes need.

Read more: https://www.hstoday.us/featured/perspective-why-firstnet-offers-public-safety-the-communication-evolution-it-deserves/

The public safety community continues to rely on decades-old communication technology, and the ongoing challenges of that foster an urgent need for modernization. There are now innovative solutions that can empower those public safety personnel who we depend on every day, making their work more effi...