The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is the operational lead for Federal cybersecurity, responsible for coordinating cyber incident response and mitigation. In December 2020, CISA issued an emergency directive about an advanced cyberattack that had caused a breach of SolarWinds software and Federal computing networks. This review was conducted to determine CISA’s ability to detect and mitigate risks from major cyberattacks based on lessons learned after the SolarWinds breach. Four recommendations are made to address CISA’s resource needs and improve technology to enhance cyber detection and mitigation.
The Response and Recovery Federal Interagency Operational Plan (FIOP) guides federal departments and agencies (hereafter “federal agencies”) in executing the response and recovery mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal to achieve Unity of Effort through coordination and communication following an incident for which an interagency response is required. Response and recovery are two of the five mission areas of the National Preparedness Goal.
The 2022 Annual Report showcases many of the Center’s accomplishments and outlines plans for 2023. Some of the highlights include: Stop the Bleed continues to reach thousands of individuals through the app and FAST (First Aid for Severe Trauma) course specifically designed for high school students, Military-Civilian NYC COVID-19 Response Workshop which brought together military and civilian health care professionals to share lessons and evaluate the response in NYC to the pandemic, DoD National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) Pilot Program, which expanded its efforts to include site implementation plans at each of the five Pilot sites, a master implementation plan and countless collaborations between military and civilian health care organizations.
The 50-member nonpartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission released its Aerial Equipment Strategy Report on February 13, 2023. To improve federal policies related to U.S. wildland fires, this report outlines a strategy to meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030.
In response to COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiated Project Airbridge to mitigate shortfalls in medical supply distributors’ personal protective equipment (PPE) and facilitate the delivery of critical PPE to the most needed locations. The objective of this audit was to determine the extent to which FEMA provided oversight of Project Airbridge and ensured its commercial partners distributed medical supplies to prioritized healthcare facilities in designated locations. Two recommendations were made to improve FEMA’s management and oversight of future public/private partnerships.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Countering Human Trafficking Year in Review reports on select accomplishments and advancements made by DHS offices and components toward countering human trafficking. These annual reports include links to additional information resources that explain DHS’s counter-trafficking operations, outreach, and other efforts.
The U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center released Mass Attacks in Public Spaces: 2016 - 2020, a comprehensive report examining 173 incidents of targeted violence and highlighting the observable commonalities among the attackers. The analysis is intended to provide critical information to a cross-sector of community organizations that have a role in preventing these types of tragedies.
The Geospatial Data Act of 2018 (GDA) requires each covered agency to fulfill 13 responsibilities to foster efficient management and use of geospatial data — information linked to specific geographic locations. The GDA also mandates the Office of Inspector General to submit to Congress a biannual audit report on the agency’s progress in fulfilling the GDA’s responsibilities. This is the second in a series of audits assessing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) compliance with the GDA. Four recommendations were made to ensure DHS continued improvement in fulfilling duties under the GDA.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released today the agency’s annual report showcasing how the agency has responded to increasingly complex transnational security threats in fiscal year (FY) 2022. The FY 2022 annual report highlights how ICE is helping secure the Southwest Border and rebuilding a humane and orderly immigration system; combatting transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) including disrupting the supply of opioids coming to U.S. communities; improving transparency to stakeholders and the public; and supporting its dedicated, resilient workforce.
During this reporting period, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) completed audits, inspections and evaluations, and investigations to promote economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity in the Department’s programs and operations.
