Homeland Security Today

08/10/2025

Online radicalization has evolved—and so must our response.

In her latest analysis, Anna Corsaro explores how radicalization now moves fluidly across mainstream social media, encrypted messaging apps, gaming environments, and decentralized networks—creating a complex web of ideological recruitment and behavioral conditioning.

“Computational intelligence has emerged as both a risk vector and a potential solution.”

Read the full article https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/cybersecurity/perspective-ai-and-online-radicalization-intervention-models-and-risk-protocols/

Online radicalization is no longer confined to fringe platforms or isolated forums.

08/10/2025

Private chat platforms are no longer just places for gaming—they’ve become digital battlegrounds for radicalization, recruitment, and even confession.

In his latest article, Kevin Metcalf examines the assassination of Charlie Kirk as a case study in how extremists exploit platforms like Discord.

The suspect’s online confession, paired with a pattern of previous attacks linked to private servers, underscores an urgent homeland security challenge: the threat landscape has shifted—and our detection and prevention frameworks must evolve with it.

“The next act of violence may already be typed out in a private chat window.”

Read the full analysis 🔗 https://www.hstoday.us/perspective/perspective-discord-extremism-and-the-charlie-kirk-assassination-a-homeland-security-wake-up-call/

Charlie Kirk's assassination exposes how extremists use Discord to plan attacks in plain sight, demanding urgent national security reforms.

06/10/2025

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Homeland Security Today Holiday Hero Awards! 🌟

Each year, we honor the extraordinary people who make America safer, stronger, and more resilient — the quiet professionals, the innovators, and the changemakers who carry the mission forward every day.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate your today!

🗓️ Nominations close October 27, 2025
Mark your calendar to celebrate these heroes on December 11th!

NOMINATE HERE: https://gtscoalition.wufoo.com/forms/m1ibwdoc1i3c8b9/

06/10/2025

Each October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month ( ) reminds us that protecting our digital world isn’t just a yearly theme—it’s an everyday responsibility.

In his latest piece, Chuck Brooks emphasizes that awareness must become action. True cybersecurity resilience depends on mastering the fundamentals of cyber hygiene, building proactive risk management strategies, fostering leadership, and staying adaptable as threats evolve.

“Cybersecurity is not just an IT challenge—it’s a business risk that requires leadership engagement and cross-sector collaboration.”

From strong passwords and MFA to executive commitment and AI-driven defense, Brooks outlines the pillars of modern cybersecurity—awareness, preparedness, education, leadership, and adaptability.

Read his full call to action here 🔗 https://www.hstoday.us/featured/building-cybersecurity-resilience-through-awareness-leadership-and-action/

Each October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the growing threats in our digital landscape and to renew our commitment to protecting data, systems, and critical infrastructure.

06/10/2025

HSToday’s Executive Editor and CEO of GTSC, Kristina Tanasichuk, follows up on The Future of Procurement with a thought-provoking look at how AI is reshaping the way agencies find and select partners.

“Can your future clients ‘see’ you? Have you considered your online profiles, website, and content to attract the people you want? Have you re-oriented your marketing to be sure you show up?”

In this new installment, she shares the top 5 things you need to do NOW to stay ahead of your competitors in an AI-driven procurement world.

Read more 🔗

Considering how AI will change the face of procurement, in my first installment I focused on a simple conversation between AI and a procurement specialist tasked with finding a company to provide body-worn cameras. If market research is moving in this direction (which it is!), can your future client...

01/10/2025

We were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout at the 3rd annual 2025 Trailblazers in Homeland Security Reception! 🎉

Congratulations once again to this year’s Trailblazers—leaders whose vision, innovation, and dedication are shaping the future of homeland security. It was inspiring to celebrate your achievements in person and to see so many colleagues, partners, and friends come together in support!

Check out the photos from the night here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/190U_AZpGY03ai8icRVKwjQQiKmUqgEk0?usp=share_link

Thank you to REI Systems, Amivero, and Guidehouse for their support, and thank you to LMI for hosting!

Here’s to continuing to blaze trails, build resilience, and move the mission forward together. 🔥🇺🇸

01/10/2025

🔐 October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)!
As we navigate an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, Nitin Natarajan is leading this year’s NCSAM efforts — championing resilience, awareness, and collaboration across our communities.
“In the current evolving and dynamic cyber threat landscape I invite you to join us at Homeland Security Today to share how you – in your personal or professional capacity – are moving dimmer switches. Whether it’s a formal program, incentives, or just a personal thing you do to protect yourself, we’d love to hear from you.
I look forward to continuing our work to protect our people, resources, and country.
Together we are stronger. ”
Let’s shine a light on the actions, big and small, that strengthen our cyber defenses. 💻💪
Join the conversation and share your cybersecurity stories, tips, and practices with us this .

https://conta.cc/4noRoAY

26/09/2025

Our final spotlight in the 2025 Trailblazers in Homeland Security series honors leaders blazing bold paths: bringing AI to CBP’s frontline, advancing U.S. space security, pioneering prevention, and strengthening resilience.

🔥 Tracy Minter – bringing AI and machine learning into CBP’s frontline operations, making border security smarter and faster.
🔥 Dr. Vishnu Reddy – planetary scientist training tomorrow’s leaders and advancing U.S. space security from Earth to orbit.
🔥 William Braniff – prevention pioneer shaping strategies, research, and partnerships to stop extremism before it spreads.
🔥 Debbie Hunt – strengthening critical resilience through exercises, assessments, and cross-sector collaboration.

With these final honorees, we complete our 2025 Trailblazers series—50 leaders defining the future of homeland security.

👉 Celebrate them at the Trailblazers Reception on Sept. 30. https://members.gtscoalition.com/events/Details/hstoday-s-50-trailblazers-of-2025-1441255?sourceTypeId=Hub

🔗 Full write-ups: Trailblazers.HStoday.us

25/09/2025

From securing borders to predicting storms, these 2025 Trailblazers in Homeland Security are proving that leadership means meeting threats before they strike:

🔥 Ronald Vitiello – veteran leader returning to CBP as Senior Advisor, guiding the border security mission through evolving threats and technologies.
🔥 Ryan Honary – teenage innovator transforming wildfire response with AI-powered sensors that detect flames before they spread.
🔥 Sandy Radesky – fortifying the nation’s digital defenses at CISA, turning vulnerabilities into resilience across federal networks.
🔥 Dr. Suha Hassen – terrorism scholar decoding extremist narratives and designing tools to disrupt propaganda before it radicalizes.
🔥 Sunny Wescott – CISA’s Chief Meteorologist turning extreme weather intelligence into life-saving foresight for critical infrastructure.

Together, they remind us that homeland security’s future is being built right now—by visionaries who refuse to wait for the next crisis.

👉 Honor their impact at the Trailblazers Reception on Sept. 30.
https://members.gtscoalition.com/events/Details/hstoday-s-50-trailblazers-of-2025-1441255?sourceTypeId=Hub

🔗 Full write-ups: trailblazers.hstoday.us

25/09/2025

Homeland security takes vision, speed, and innovation—and these 2025 Trailblazers are delivering all three:

🔥 Nick Martinelli – powering CBP’s frontline mission with agile, accountable acquisitions that deliver speed and precision.
🔥 Peter Giambone – blazing a path for faster, smarter procurement through Commercial Solutions Opening, cutting red tape with innovation.
🔥 Robert Griffin, PhD – founding dean shaping the next generation of homeland security leaders while guiding cutting-edge science and technology.
🔥 Robert Tucker – leading FDNY’s drone program to bring aerial insight, safety, and speed to emergencies across New York City.
🔥 Dr. Rodrigo Nieto Gómez – equipping security leaders to anticipate disruption and navigate tomorrow’s threats.

👉 Celebrate them and all 50 honorees at the Trailblazers Reception on Sept. 30.
https://members.gtscoalition.com/events/Details/hstoday-s-50-trailblazers-of-2025-1441255?sourceTypeId=Hub

🔗 Full write-ups: trailblazer.hstoday.us

Kristina Tanasichuk Kalyna White