Category: US Department of Homeland Security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

New Hires Will Help DHS Responsibly Leverage New Technology and Mitigate Risks Across the Homeland Security Enterprise

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen announced the first 10 members of the “AI Corps,” the Department of Homeland Security’s first-ever sprint to recruit 50 Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology experts. The new hires will play pivotal roles responsibly leveraging AI across strategic mission areas, including countering fentanyl trafficking, combatting online child sexual exploitation and abuse, delivering immigration services, fortifying critical infrastructure, and enhancing cybersecurity. 

The AI Corps brings a range of professional backgrounds to DHS, including from the private sector and academia. The 10 inaugural AI Corps hires are technology experts with backgrounds in AI and machine learning (ML), data science, data engineering, program and product management, software engineering, cybersecurity, and the safe, responsible use of these technologies. Their collective experience and commitment to public service exemplify the high caliber of candidates the Department continues to attract. The hires are:

• Sadaf Asrar was an AI Technology expert for the National Center for Education Statistics, responsible for analyzing performance results from the Nation’s Report Card to deepen our understanding of what students know and can do in the United States. In his role as Director of Data Science at Optimal Solutions, he also built complex data products for agencies such as the SBA, USAID, and the USDA.   
• Zach Fasnacht, previously a Senior Manager of Product Management at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and prior to that a Lead AI/ML Product Manager at Allstate Insurance, and a Digital Projects Coordinator at the Library of Congress. 
• Pramod Gadde was a machine learning lead and founder of several healthcare-related startups, including Confidante, that used conversational AI to address the gaps in mental healthcare. Confidante used generative AI and traditional NLP techniques to improve patient care and provide them information and support empathetically.  
• Sean Harvey, former Group Product Manager at Google where he served as the lead on YouTube’s Trust and Safety team focused on global elections and combatting misinformation. He also launched the Page Experience at Google Search and served as Product Lead at MLtwist, an early-stage AI data startup.  
• Jenny Kim was Principal Product Manager at McKinsey & Company, leading development of machine learning and advanced analytics solutions for U.S. defense and healthcare clients. Previously she served as a Digital Service Expert at the DHS Digital Service and the Defense Digital Service.  
• Babatunde Oguntade served at the Senior Principal Data Scientist at CACI International where he supported agencies such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Joint Special Operations Command. He previously received an American Society of Engineering Education/National Science Foundation Industrial Post Doctoral award and served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow.   
• Christine Palmer served as Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Naval Observatory, directly responsible for critical network operations, cybersecurity, and software development. 
• Dr. Stephen Quirolgico has over 25 years of government, industry, and academic research and development experience in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, networking, and cybersecurity. He served as principal scientist, project manager, and lead engineer for advanced technology development projects, including those sponsored by DHS, NIST, DARPA, and SPAWAR. 
• Raquel Romano joins with a wealth of private and public sector experience – most recently as Senior Director of Engineering at Fora and previously Engineering Lead at the United States Digital Service. She also previously worked as a Software Engineer at Google developing products and services in accessibility, computer vision, and social impact/crisis response, and as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 
• Robin L. Rosenberger was the Director of Interagency IT, Data, and Analytics Initiatives in the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She previously served as the Director of Strategic Acquisition Partnerships in the F-35 Strike Fighter Joint Program Office and numerous other technical and managerial roles throughout DOD.

“Our Department is at the forefront of the federal government in harnessing AI’s potential to achieve the mission. To advance our leadership, we have been recruiting AI talent from around the country, drawing skilled professionals to public service,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “We are excited to onboard our first group of AI experts to begin the work of our new AI Corps. I look forward to growing our AI Corps in the months ahead, as we continue to introduce the safe and responsible use of AI across the broad range of missions we perform.” 

DHS also announced the appointment of Michael Boyce as the first Director of the DHS AI Corps. Boyce, a former official at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), helped write the section on federal use of generative AI in the President’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Before joining the White House, he was the Chief of Innovation and Design at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Refugee, Asylum and International Operations (RAIO) Directorate. While there, Boyce oversaw technology, analytics, and innovation for USCIS’ humanitarian immigration programs. He also served as a Digital Service Expert at the United States Digital Service. 

“I’m honored to join and lead this team alongside such talented individuals; the first of several additions to what will become largest and most dynamic civilian AI team in the federal government,” said Michael Boyce, Director of the AI Corps. “AI is the most important technology of our time and it is going to change how we do our critical work to serve the American people. We have a big responsibility to develop and use AI in ways that take advantage of its potential while protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.” 

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen kicked off the AI Corps initiative in February with a recruitment event in Mountain View, CA. As leaders in safe and secure AI development, DHS prioritizes identifying and promptly onboarding top talent for the AI Corps, utilizing flexible hiring authorities to expedite the process and underscore its commitment to leveraging AI for national security. 

“The new talent joining DHS will help empower our workforce to quickly leverage AI technology in their efforts to safeguard our nation,” said Chief Information Officer and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen. “The range of professional and academic experiences these new hires bring to the federal government, some for the first time, will go a long way in our efforts to modernize our services. The AI Corps will help transform the way people interact with the government.” 

In April 2023, DHS established its first AI Task Force, led by Chief AI Officer Eric Hysen and Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dimitri Kusnezov, to enhance mission areas like supply chain integrity, cargo screening, and criminal network disruption. By March 2024, DHS introduced its “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap,” outlining plans to advance homeland security missions responsibly, promote nationwide AI safety, and maintain leadership through strong partnerships. Roadmap,” outlining plans to advance homeland security missions responsibly, promote nationwide AI safety, and maintain leadership through strong partnerships.

The Department’s latest efforts follow President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence,” which established a National AI Talent Surge to rapidly hire experts to build and govern AI. The EO, signed in October 2023, directed DHS to promote the adoption of AI safety standards globally, protect U.S. networks and critical infrastructure, reduce the risks that AI can be used to create weapons of mass destruction, combat AI-related intellectual property theft, and help the United States attract and retain skilled talent, among other missions. The President has directed DHS to establish an AI Safety and Security Advisory Board to support the responsible development of AI. This Board will bring together preeminent industry experts from AI hardware and software companies, leading research labs, critical infrastructure entities, and the U.S. government. This Board will issue recommendations and best practices for an array of AI use cases to ensure AI deployments are secure and resilient. 

To learn more about the DHS AI Corps and how to apply, visit the Leading AI at DHS webpage. 

To learn more about how DHS uses AI technologies to protect the homeland, visit Artificial Intelligence at DHS.
 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

During emergency events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the people in the areas that may be impacted. 

In such circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remind the public that sites that provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. To the fullest extent possible, ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones. 

At the request of FEMA or local and state authorities, ICE and CBP may help conduct search and rescue, air traffic de-confliction and public safety missions. ICE and CBP provide emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status. DHS officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities. 

DHS is committed to ensuring that every individual who seeks shelter, aid, or other assistance as a result of a natural disaster or emergency event is able to do so regardless of their immigration status.  

DHS carries out its mission without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, ethnicity, disability or political associations, and in compliance with law and policy. 

For information about filing a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties about these matters, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/file-civil-rights-complaint.   

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will distribute $160 million in Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds as a first tranche of additional funding that the Biden-Harris Administration secured to protect faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations against targeted attacks. The announcement accompanies DHS’s release of an amended Notice of Funding Opportunity that will now enable qualifying institutions and organizations to apply for these additional NSGP funds. 

The $160 million in additional funds are a portion of the $390 million that were included in the fiscal year 2024 National Security Supplemental, a key priority of the Administration as it continues to intensify its efforts to combat the dramatic increase in hate crimes and other forms of targeted violence against faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations. In total for fiscal year 2024, the Administration has secured $664 million for the NSGP, more than double last year’s $305 million appropriation. Earlier this year, DHS announced $274.5 million in available NGSP funds and intends to make the balance of those funds available later this year. 

“We have seen a dramatic increase in hate crimes and other forms of violence targeted against faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The additional Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding that we are announcing today will provide these institutions and organizations with much-needed resources to strengthen their security and protect their communities from harm.” 

The rise in hate crimes and other forms of targeted violence has increased sharply since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel. In light of the changing threat environment, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program has become a more important resource to faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations to strengthen their security posture. In 2023, over 2,200 faith-based and other nonprofit organizations utilized over $305 million in NSGP funding to purchase security cameras, developing evacuation plans, additional warnings and alert systems, gates and lighting, access control systems, and training programs for staff. 

The distribution of grant funds is one element of DHS’s multi-pronged strategy to protect communities and their institutions from targeted violence. DHS regularly communicates with over 2,000 state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus law enforcement officials and with the leadership of all national-level law enforcement associations. The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships distributes security resources to over 65,000 faith partners to share resources to enhance safety in local communities, including faith-based communities. Some examples of DHS work include:    

• Releasing the “Resources and Information for Faith and Community Leaders Regarding the Israel – Hamas Conflict” website in October, which continues to be updated with threat assessments pertaining to the homeland and all relevant resources to keep faith-based communities and institutions safe;
• Distributing our Protecting Places of Worship resource guide, which we provided to synagogues, religious schools, mosques, community centers, and other nonprofits in partnership with the FBI;
• Providing Protective Security Advisors in every state to guide and advise faith communities on how to most effectively secure their facilities with existing resources;
• Releasing the Physical Security Performance Goals to help houses of worship and other faith-based organizations enhance their security; and
• Convening the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council and through the Protecting Places of Worship initiative, an effort co-led by DHS, the Department of Justice and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Funding of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program has been a priority for the Biden-Harris Administration.  Historically, applications to access the competitive program have far exceeded the funds available.  The Administration’s success in securing $390 million in supplemental funding – resulting in total funding for the program that is more than double last year’s appropriation – will enable previously-unfunded yet at-risk houses of worship, religious schools, and nonprofit organizations to implement new security measures to protect their congregations, students and teachers, employees and members, and their broader communities across the country.   

For more information visit: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/nonprofit-security

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on World Refugee Day:

“Today is World Refugee Day. It is a day on which we honor people who have been forced to flee.

“At this time in the world, a time of increased repression, conflict, hunger, extreme weather, and other threatening forces, there are more than 100 million people displaced from their homes. The global displacement is unprecedented in scale.

“Our country is steadfast in our commitment to serve as a country of refuge for those who qualify for relief under our laws. The fulfillment of this commitment has particular significance for me. I arrived in this country with my parents and sister as political refugees, having fled the communist takeover of Cuba in 1960. My father lost his business, the ability to remain by his ailing mother’s bedside, and the future he had charted for himself and his young family in the country of his birth. It was the second time my mother had been forced to flee; twenty years earlier, she had fled Eastern Europe to escape the Holocaust. Most of her family had not survived.

“My parents wanted to raise their children in the land of freedom and opportunity – here, in the United States of America. Our country gave us a new future, just as it has done for so many from across the globe. It remains the greatest country in the world. I am immensely proud to serve as a federal employee, especially because I do so alongside the men and women of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

“Our personnel, alongside our federal partners and international and civil society colleagues around the world, make it possible for refugees to build a new future in America. Below I share a letter that a grateful refugee sent to our Department some time ago in appreciation for the new future he was granted. The letter speaks of the plight of the refugee, the meaning of America, and the work that we in DHS do. I have omitted the names in the letter in service of the people’s privacy:

“Dear Mrs. Officer,

“I want to inform you that I received a letter of approval in regards for my application . . . in this great humanitarian country. Madam, I want to thank you and to thank this great nation for giving me a chance to find a refuge for my life and to protect me from being harmed and from death.

“I want to show my endless appreciation and deepest regards to you and your time and consideration to help and save me and protect me in a way that made me feel that am a human with rights to live and have a future.

“May God bless you for being my guarding angel and may God bless America for saving me.

“In addition, I want to express my family’s thanks, especially my mom, who wants to tell you that she wouldn’t forget you in her prayers, and their appreciation for saving a son and a brother. And I wouldn’t forget you as long as I live. And I wish that I will be given a chance to repay the United States of America for its protection.”

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas outlined strategic guidance to guide critical infrastructure security and resilience efforts by federal agencies, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and other government and private sector stakeholders. This guidance builds on President Biden’s National Security Memorandum (NSM-22) on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience and sets forth specific risk areas that should be prioritized in a whole-of-society effort for the next two years to secure the critical infrastructure systems Americans rely on every day.

The priority areas are:   

• Addressing cyber and other threats posed by the People’s Republic of China;
• Managing evolving risks and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies;
• Identifying and mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities;
• Incorporating climate risks into sector resilience efforts; and
• Addressing the growing dependency of critical infrastructure on space systems and assets. 

The guidance issued by DHS reflects a key step in the whole-of-society effort directed by the President to protect the critical infrastructure systems on which Americans rely every day.   

“From the banking system to the electric grid, from healthcare to our nation’s water systems and more, we depend on the reliable functioning of our critical infrastructure as a matter of national security, economic security, and public safety, said Secretary Mayorkas. “The threats facing our critical infrastructure demand a whole of society response and the priorities set forth in this memo will guide that work. I look forward to continuing our work with partners at all levels of government and the private sector to better ensure the safety of all Americans.”  

The Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), as the national coordinator of critical infrastructure security and resilience efforts, will drive sector-specific risk assessments and management plans by (or for) Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) and other important partners that address the outlined priority risk areas and adopt the identified risk mitigation activities, culminating in the National Infrastructure Risk Management Plan. 

“Through close collaboration with our partners, CISA and the Department are working towards safer and more secure critical infrastructure to ensure the functioning of government, the delivery of essential services, and the protection of the American people,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. 

The 2024 Homeland Security Threat Assessment states that domestic and foreign adversaries will likely continue to target our critical infrastructure, in part because they perceive targeting these sectors would be detrimental to U.S. industries and the American way of life. From attacks aimed at disrupting services to espionage focused on gaining access to networks and stealing sensitive information, these actors are constantly adapting their techniques to gain access and potentially compromise these entities. 

Critical infrastructure systems provide essential goods and services to Americans like clean water, dependable electricity, food, communications, internet connectivity, and manufactured goods. By issuing today’s guidance, the Department of Homeland Security is leading the national effort to identify and mitigate threats and make more resilient our critical infrastructure in this era of technological advancement and dynamic global volatility. 

To read the memo from Secretary Mayorkas on strategic guidance and national priorities for U.S. critical infrastructure security and resilience, visit Strategic Guidance and National Priorities for U.S. Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (2024-2025) | Homeland Security (dhs.gov). 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued the following statement on the Biden-Harris Administration’s actions to keep American families together and to streamline a pathway for Dreamers to access waivers relating to high-skilled labor visas for which they are qualified:  

“Today, the Department of Homeland Security is taking action to keep American families together and end the fear and uncertainty these families face when one spouse is a United States citizen and the other is undocumented.  Many of these families have United States citizen children. The undocumented spouses who may benefit from our action have lived in and contributed to our country for an average of 23 years.   

“Our Department will implement a process that will allow those qualified undocumented spouses who are married to a United States citizen and have lived in the United States for at least ten years to pursue a path to become lawful permanent residents without first having to leave our country for an indefinite period of time.  This process will achieve family unity, one of our immigration system’s fundamental goals.  It will also boost our economy, advance our labor interests, strengthen our foreign relations with key partners in the region, further our public safety interests, and more. 

“Further, we will work with our partners at the State Department in implementing changes to the inadmissibility waiver process that will enable certain noncitizens who were educated in the United States, including DACA recipients, to access high-skilled labor visas for which they are qualified.  

“The President’s actions today will advance our country’s interests. Yet, only Congress can achieve the enduring immigration reform that our country has needed for nearly thirty years.  Only Congress can fix our broken immigration system in ways that will most effectively and enduringly achieve family unity, economic prosperity, border security, and humanitarian relief.”

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – From June 10-13, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partnered with the Government of Indonesia under U.S. Department of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and U.S. Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency programs to enhance the security and resilience of the international maritime transportation system. This reflects a joint commitment by both nations to strengthen cybersecurity collaboration and protect maritime critical infrastructure from malicious cyber intrusions and cyber-attacks under our upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In partnership with U.S. Embassy Jakarta, the Government of Indonesia, and various Indonesian maritime port authorities, DHS conducted a successful tabletop exercise and workshop focused on enhancing maritime cybersecurity and incident response capabilities in Indonesia and the Indo-Pacific region.  

The collaboration built upon Secretary Mayorkas’s priority to enhance close cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region with focused discussions on protocols for incident response, information sharing, and the identification of future bilateral cooperation to mitigate current and emerging cyber threats to critical maritime infrastructure. Held in Surabaya, this was the first comprehensive port-focused cybersecurity tabletop exercise held with Indonesian counterparts. The exercise allowed DHS and Indonesia cybersecurity officials to enhance response capabilities through a series of simulations, including a major cyber incident impacting port operations with cascading impacts from exploited vulnerabilities in ship-to-shore cranes and ransomware attacks that disabled critical systems and exfiltrated proprietary and personal information. Throughout the exercise, Indonesian public and private sector participants discussed mitigation techniques and worked to operationalize lessons learned, enhancing maritime cyber resilience.  

“The maritime transportation system is a vital lifeline for global trade and commerce,” said Under Secretary for Policy Rob Silvers. “This exercise allowed us to stress test cyber incident response plans with Indonesian counterparts, as well as identify areas where we can collaborate more closely to secure the maritime domain from cyber threats.” 

“By sharing information, technology, and know-how, the United States and Indonesia will be able to successfully address marine and cyber challenges,” Consul General Jonathan Alan stated.  “Exercises like this help not only strengthen our technical capabilities but forge invaluable future partnerships and, the United States looks forward to building on these important exchanges.”   

Following the tabletop exercise, the U.S. Coast Guard facilitated a maritime cybersecurity workshop for public and private sector Indonesian maritime counterparts to share U.S. Coast Guard policies and best practices related to maritime cyber incident prevention and response. In particular, the U.S. Coast Guard outlined its efforts related to President Biden’s February 2024 Executive Order on Amending Regulations Relating to the Safeguarding of Vessels, Harbors, Ports, and Waterfront Facilities of the United States. 

“Cyber threats in the maritime environment continue to grow more sophisticated and pernicious,” said Jon Kennedi, Director of the Indonesian Directorate of Sea and Coast Guard. “Confronting these threats requires a comprehensive approach that integrates operational coordination, capacity building, and the sharing of risk information across governments and industry stakeholders.” 

“The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was honored to collaborate with our U.S. Federal Government partners and the Government of Indonesia during this week’s maritime cyber incident response tabletop exercise and workshop,” said CISA’s Deputy Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security Steven Harris. “This joint exercise underscores the importance of international planning and collaboration to strengthen our cyber defenses and ensure the resilience of our maritime infrastructure. Together we are better prepared and equipped to tackle cyber threats and ensure the safety and security of global maritime activities.” 

The three days were coordinated by the Department’s Office of Policy and U.S. Embassy Jakarta, and led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Subject matter inputs came from other DHS entities including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Office of Intelligence & Analysis, and the Supply Chain Resilience Center. Indonesian subject matter experts attended from Indonesia’s Ministry of Sea and Transportation (KPLP), Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), Customs, National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), Ministry of Defense, Indonesian National Police, Indonesia National Intelligence Agency, Surabaya Container Terminal, Tanjung Priok Port, Taluk Lamong Terminal, Pertamina Patra Niaga Terminal, Meratus Shipping, Pertamina International Shipping, AKR, Tanto Intim Line, and Recognized Security Organization (RSO). 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) announced the release of “Enhancing Election Security Through Public Communications,” a guide for state, local, tribal, and territorial election officials who are the primary sources of official information about elections. Election officials can mitigate risk to election infrastructure and operations by developing a public communications plan that conveys accurate information about how they administer and secure elections and by preparing their teams to communicate effectively. 

Open communication with the American people is crucial to maintaining public trust in the security and integrity of our elections process. As the individuals responsible for administering and securing our elections process, state and local election officials around the country are the trusted, authoritative sources for election information. Election officials frequently engage in public communications and answer questions from the media and the public on a wide range of topics, such as election dates and deadlines, voter registration, candidate filings, voting locations, election worker recruitment, security measures, and the publication of results.  

To help election officials with this critical function, CISA and the EAC developed this guide to provide a framework and practical tools for developing and implementing a year-round communications plan. The guide highlights how officials can tailor their communications plan to meet the unique needs of their jurisdiction while operating within the resources available and provides worksheets to help election officials develop core plan components. 

“The ability for election officials to be transparent about the elections process and communicate quickly and effectively with the American people is crucial for building and maintaining their trust in the security and integrity of our elections process,” says CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley. “This guide is about providing election officials with resources and tools that help them do that as they work tirelessly to meet the unique needs of their state and local jurisdictions.”   

“Election officials are the trusted sources of election information. This resource supports election officials to successfully deliver accurate communication to voters with the critical information they need before and after Election Day,” said EAC Chairman Ben Hovland, Vice Chair Donald Palmer, Commissioner Thomas Hicks, and Commissioner Christy McCormick jointly. “Effective and transparent communication not only helps eligible Americans to cast their ballot and instill confidence in the voting process but is essential to trusting the security of our elections, and the accuracy of the results.” 

To learn more, visit Protect 2024 | CISA on CISA.gov.   

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas released the following statement on the 12th anniversary of the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy:

“For 12 years, DACA has enabled hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to live without fear in the United States – for many, the only nation and only home they have ever known. Dreamers and their contributions have enriched our communities and strengthened our economy.  The Department of Homeland Security continues to fortify DACA and protect Dreamers to the fullest extent possible.  Only Congress, though, can permanently protect Dreamers and provide them the path to citizenship they deserve.

“An enduring legislative solution is long overdue.  Congress needs to act.  Until they do, we will continue to advocate for, defend, and work with Dreamers to ensure they have the support and security they need to thrive.  We will continue the work we started 12 years ago today.”

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) conducted the federal government’s inaugural tabletop exercise with the private sector focused on effective and coordinated responses to artificial intelligence (AI) security incidents. This exercise brought together more than 50 AI experts from government agencies and industry partners at the Microsoft Corp. facility in Reston, Virginia.

The four-hour exercise was led by the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), a public-private partnership model established by CISA to undertake joint planning efforts and drive operational collaboration. This exercise simulated a cybersecurity incident involving an AI-enabled system and participants worked through operational collaboration and information sharing protocols for incident response across the represented organizations. CISA Director Jen Easterly and FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director Brett Leatherman delivered opening and closing remarks, respectively, emphasizing the need for advancing robust operational structures to address existing and potential security threats, while prioritizing secure-by-design AI development and deployment.

This tabletop exercise is supporting the development of an AI Security Incident Collaboration Playbook spearheaded by JCDC.AI, a dedicated planning effort within JCDC focused on building an operational community of AI providers, AI security vendors, and other critical infrastructure owners/operators to address risks, threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations concerning AI-enabled systems in national critical infrastructure. The playbook, slated for publication by year-end, will facilitate AI security incident response coordination efforts between government, industry, and global partners.

“This exercise marks another step in our collective commitment to reducing the risks posed by AI. It also highlights the importance of developing and delivering AI products that are designed with security as the top priority,” said CISA Director Jen Easterly. “As the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience, we’re excited to work with our partners to build on this effort to help organizations secure their AI systems.”

“This exercise demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to leveraging its partnerships to ensure that we are all better prepared to handle threats in this space,” said AssistantDirectorBryanVorndranoftheFBI’sCyberDivision. “We are stronger when we come together to share information and determine best practices in the evolving AI landscape. We will continue to work extensively with our interagency and private sector partners to combat bad actors and safeguard infrastructure.”

“Today’s gathering shows the value of preparation and collaboration for cyber incident response. As we enter a new AI Landscape, security is critical, and collaboration with industry and government partners is crucial to developing an effective and coordinated response to security incidents. Practicing response scenarios and simulations like today’s AI-focused tabletop exercise drive learning and sharing that will help strengthen cyber resilience across the board. Security is a top priority at Microsoft, and we appreciate CISA’s leadership, as well as the opportunity to host and participate in this exercise,” said BretArsenault, CVP, ChiefCybersecurityAdvisor, Microsoft.

“Palo Alto Networks is proud to partner with the JCDC.AI and other industry partners on this critical exercise. The opportunity to work with other industry-leading AI experts and simulate the compromise of a critical AI system will give us all the ability to enhance response strategies and improve AI security systems to better protect digital ecosystems that rely on AI capabilities. As the adoption of AI has expanded, we’ve seen a similar growth in complexity in the cyber threat environment. Public-private collaborations on critical exercises like this will better protect our digital way of life,” said Sandy Reback, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs, Palo Alto Networks.

“The insights we will gain from this exercise will be vital for developing immediate response strategies and shaping the future of AI security. The upcoming AI Security Incident Collaboration Playbook will serve as a critical resource for all stakeholders, ensuring that we will be prepared and resilient in the face of AI-related threats,” said Jonathan Dambrot, CEO of Cranium.

“AI applications are increasingly becoming high-value targets for threat actors, and the current speed at which vulnerabilities are being discovered puts them at an advantage. Coordinated AI threat intelligence sharing and response is critical to helping organizations securely adopt AI and safeguard their systems, and we’re pleased to participate in the JCDC tabletop exercise,” said Hyrum Anderson, Chief Technology Officer, Robust Intelligence.

“At OpenAI, we firmly believe that security is a team sport. It thrives on collaboration and benefits immensely from transparency. We are proud to have taken part in the tabletop exercise with JCDC.AI and other security leaders—these collaborations benefit our efforts of safely developing and deploying AI technology. This initiative not only strengthens our defenses but also fosters a community dedicated to collective security advancements, which includes realizing the benefits of using AI tools for cyber defense,” said Matt Knight, Head of Security at OpenAI.

“Simulating adversarial threats against AI systems in a controlled setting is an invaluable training ground to equip security teams with an understanding of the vulnerabilities and threats that exist today. HiddenLayer is honored to join this initiative, which underscores our shared dedication to empowering organizations to adopt AI securely while protecting our national infrastructure from emerging threats,” said Chris Sestito, CEO & Co-Founder of HiddenLayer.

“With critical infrastructure facing increasingly severe attacks and the rise of AI threats, early preparedness and routine testing is more important than ever to reduce any collateral damage,” said Troy Bettencourt, Global Partner, Head of IBM X-Force. “We are proud to join CISA JCDC and participate in this foundational exercise uncovering the insights and actions needed to help protect these vital organizations from AI-based attacks.”

“At Protect AI we are committed to building a safer AI powered world. This exercise is an important one to ensure that organizations are securing AI commensurate to the value it delivers. We are honored to be a part of it, and will continue to support the ongoing efforts of CISA to ensure that AI is being built and used securely,” said IanSwanson, ProtectAICEOandCo-Founder.

“Scale AI is proud to participate in the JCDC’s inaugural AI security tabletop exercise, reinforcing our commitment to secure-by-design principles in AI development. Our collaboration highlights the essential role of public-private partnerships in enhancing the resilience of national critical infrastructure against AI-related threats,” said Alex Levinson, Head of Security, Scale AI.

“I applaud CISA’s effort on the development of the AI Security Incident Collaboration Playbook, a well-needed initiative spearheaded by JCDC. This tabletop exercise marks a significant step forward in enhancing an operational community of fellow AI providers, AI security vendors, and critical infrastructure owners and operators. This playbook will serve as a great resource for coordinating AI security incidents among industry peers and global partners, ensuring a resilient and secure technological future,” said OmarSantos, Security and Trust, Cisco.

Participants included the Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Cranium, HiddenLayer, IBM, Microsoft, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Palantir, Palo Alto Networks, Protect AI, Robust Intelligence, Scale AI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, Office of the Director for National Intelligence, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice, and other leading technology firms. A second exercise later this year will incorporate AI integrators in U.S. critical infrastructure.

These efforts align with CISA Roadmap for AI and the 2024 JCDC Priorities, focusing on establishing incident response capabilities and decreasing AI-related threats to national critical infrastructure through robust public-private collaboration.

For more information on CISA’s work, visit Artificial Intelligence.

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