Published by Transportation Security Administration 9 September 2021

"Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will increase the range of civil penalties that may be imposed on individuals who violate the federal mask mandate at airports, on commercial aircraft, and in various modes of surface transportation, including passenger railroads, intercity bus services, and other public transportation. The federal mask mandate for transportation, which was implemented by TSA on February 2, 2021, will remain in effect until January 18, 2022."

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency 8 September 2021

"Critical infrastructure colleagues and partners,

 CISA is pleased to announce the publication of the Responding to Drone Calls: Guidance for Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) providing ECCs with an overview of safe and unsafe drone operations and a recommended script to use during a drone related 9-1-1 call.

As drone activity continues to increase in the United States, ECCs may experience an increase in drone related calls. To ensure an appropriate response, ECCs should understand the distinctions between safe and unsafe drone activity and collect the information needed to inform potential law enforcement action. This guidance provides an overview of safe and unsafe drone flight and a suggested script that ECCs may follow when receiving a drone related call.

To access this resource and/or learn more about drone security and CISA’s resources, visit: cisa.gov/uas. For questions regarding this guide please email suassecurity@cisa.dhs.gov."

To learn more, click here.

Published by Federal Aviation Administration 1 September 2021

"The FAA releases new laser strike data visualization highlighting this menacing and growing trend. Laser strikes are a menace to the skies. As a pilot, FAA Administrator Dickson knows this is an issue of concern. Shining a laser at an aircraft is dangerous for everyone onboard and on the ground. It is a federal crime resulting in fines or prison time. #LoseTheLaser"

To watch this video, click here.

Published by AIN Online 1 September 2021

Several factors are at play recently, causing concern in the business of chartering a private aircraft. Industry subject matter experts are offering guidance on avoiding a potential for all sorts of unknowns. Many air passengers do not realize the steps needed to ensure a safe flight. And the pandemic isn’t making matters any less complicated. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA), together with the FAA, has leaned in to help educate individuals new to the aviation market.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 25 August 2021.

Air passengers should take stock of what is in their luggage prior to leaving for the airport. The method in which a firearm is being transported may be illegal. Checking it in correctly will cause less issues with airport security measures.

To read this article, click here.

Published by US Customs and Border Patrol 24 August 2021

"WASHINGTON – Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center, P-3 Long Range Tracker and Airborne Early Warning crews and partners disrupted the flow of 113,779 pounds of cocaine in drug source and transit zones through the end of the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2021. It is estimated that United States Southern Command counter-narcotics operations involving Air and Marine Operations, federal and international partners denied transnational criminal organizations more than two billion dollars between October 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021."

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency 31 August 2021

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Federal Aviation Administration 24 August 2021

"The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded more than $766 million in grants to build safer, more sustainable and more accessible airports across the United States."

To read this press release, click here.

Published by NBC News 19 August 2021

As a means of protection against a bad actor, some crew members on a recent flight chose to arm themselves with items intended for onboard service, such as an ice mallet. This is just one of several incidents involving crewmembers and passengers that have been reported.

Inflight infractions could prove to be very costly to non-compliant passengers. Inappropriate touching of a cabin crewmember, launching projectiles, drug use, public intoxication, non-adherence to mask mandates and using foul language aboard the aircraft are just some of the recent allegations. 

To read this article, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 7 August 2021

To consult "with key partners on aviation security matters, including the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking and security directives pertaining to aviation security" the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) has been in existence since 1989. 

To learn more, click here.

Published by CBS News 29 July 2021

Can a man with a jetpack actually fly up to 3,000 or 5,000 feet? It seems unlikely, according to the FBI, but a pilot recently reported such a sighting to Air Traffic Control at Los Angeles International Airport.

To learn more, click here.

Published by U.S. Department of State 21 July 2021

The U.S. Department of State has published a new webpage with information regarding passport applications. According to this page, an expedited request can take up to 12 weeks while a standard request may take up to 18 weeks.

To learn more, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 20 July 2021

The COVID-19 virus and its variants continue to claim the lives of thousands of people around the world each day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the risk of travel for each country.

To read this article, click here.

Published by U.S. Department of State 15 July 2021

Offering monetary rewards for useful information is a practice that has proven effective. In its program to prevent terrorism, the U.S. Department of State has paid out more than $200 million over the last 30+ years to informants. Now, it has expanded this program to gather information on malicious cyber activity.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 15 July 2021

Luckily, air marshals were on board an aircraft heading to Florida when a passenger began acting erratically. The air marshals had to separate the man from the other passengers after he claimed a flight attendant and another passenger were carrying explosive device components, and he could smell gas.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 1 July 2021

Planning a summer getaway that involves air travel? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released a new set of helpful reminders to navigate airport security checkpoints.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency 30 June 2021

Now companies have a new tool to assist them in protecting their data against cyber criminals. The Ransomeware Readiness Assessment is intended to show organizations how ready they are in the event of a ransomware attack.

To read this release, click here.

Published by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 29 June 2021

Protecting people from victimization is one of the principal goals of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The HSI joined with other law enforcement agencies in the month of June in an operation aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by CBS News 25 June 2021

A driver created a major security threat at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when he drove across two large runways twice at high speed, after managing to crash his car through a gate. It is unknown if police were already chasing him when he entered the airport property and what initiated the chase. 

To read this article, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 24 June 2021

Commercial flight crew members are increasingly becoming targets of passenger violence. In response to this, the Transportation Security Administration announces it will be resuming its self-defense training for flight crew members. 

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 4 June 2021

Does the idea of standing in a TSA passenger security line cause your stress level to rise? One airport in Massachusetts is trying to make it easier by using a virtual one. 

To read this article, click here.

Published by AVweb 18 May 2021

Aircraft operators and private pilots should always check for Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas on their flight plan. Otherwise, they could find their aircraft flanked by fighter jets. 

To read this article, click here.

Published by AVweb 17 May 2021

In the U.S., commercial and private drones are not permitted to fly higher than 400 feet and most cannot stay up for longer than about 30 minutes. However, according to the FBI, a government helicopter reported a drone incident at 14,000 feet. 

To read this article, click here.

Published by Federal Aviation Administration 17 May 2021

A threat to the security or safety of an aircraft, or its crew, by a passenger can result in criminal, as well as civil, actions. Four passengers are facing the consequences for their actions aboard an aircraft in four separate incidents.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by Aviation Week Network 6 May 2021

As autonomous aircraft enter the aviation world, questions arise over the ability to ensure they are safe and that they have internal values programmed into them. This new podcast discusses these questions.

To listen to this podcast, click here.

Published by U.S. Department of Homeland Security 27 April 2021

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an announcement that it will be extending the deadline for REAL ID. DHS states this extension is the result of ongoing challenges facing states, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new deadline is May 3, 2023.

To read this announcement, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 6 April 2021

Prison inmates are always seeking new methods to obtain items that are prohibited. Normally, these methods are ground-based, but one inmate and his brother decided to utilize modern aerial technology with unsuccessful results. 

To read this story, click here.

Published by Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation 25 March 2021

It is unknown why a man in Virginia decided to direct his unmanned aircraft system (UAS) into a fire station after harassing firefighters there. Now the man faces criminal charges over his actions.

To read this story, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 22 March 2021

On the internet, untold numbers of images depicting the sexual abuse of children are shared and traded like baseball cards, despite the existence of laws that prohibit it. Now, the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) is accepting applications from U.S. veterans who want to become involved in the ongoing fight to stop it.

For more information, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 19 March 2021

Misbehaving on an aircraft puts everyone on board at risk and the FAA recently adopted a temporary zero-tolerance policy for such behavior. The policy has led to fines issued against passengers for actions that include throwing things and refusing to wear a face mask. Now, the FAA has announced this policy will stay in place.

For more information, click here.

Published by Homeland Security Today 13 March 2021

As drone operation grows in popularity, the risk of incidents involving drones and large airports rises. To provide national authorities and aviation operators with guidance on how to prepare for these types of events, a new manual has been published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

To read this article, click here.

Published by Federal Aviation Administration 8 March 2021

People who shine lasers at aircraft face possible criminal charges, as well as thousands of dollars in civil penalties from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Despite these deterrent actions, the FAA reports that the number of laser strikes against aircraft continues to grow.

To read this article, click here.

Planning on traveling with a firearm? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has seen a large spike of loaded firearms attempting to pass through airport security checkpoints. Prior to heading for the airport, ensure you are aware of the requirements for transporting firearms and ammunition. It’s important to be familiar with the rules so you can avoid a hefty civil penalty.

To read this press release, click here.

Published by AINonline 15 July 2020

If you were to conduct a Google search for private air charter, it is highly likely that you would come across an ad promoting a website that offers this service. However, chances are this website is fake, created by fraudsters looking to take advantage. Prior to booking any travel, it’s important to do your research.

To learn how to protect yourself from fake charter websites, click here. 

Published by Forbes 8 July 2020

The news of Coronavirus sent shockwaves into the economy of global travel, putting a spotlight on the potential ways to avoid transmission of the disease and making us all wonder, “If I get on this flight, will I get sick?” Well, not only does flying private reduce your risk of exposure by avoiding the masses of people, but it also gives you more direct control of your safety and surroundings; such as having the ability to fully control your own cabin environment and knowing the history of your pilots and flight attendants to see if they’ve been to areas at a higher risk of exposure, not to mention having a jet completely to yourself/family. See why others are turning to private charter, it may just change the way you travel.

To read this article, click here.

Published by PRWeb 6 July 2020

Human trafficking is a global issue that affects each of us. That's why NATA Compliance Services, along with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), in support of the Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI).

To read this press release, click here.

Published by BM Magazine 27 May 2020

There are a variety of reasons people fly private: comfort, no long wait times, easy access to flight, privacy, security and the use of practical safety measures. Traveling private can be a much safer alternative these days, especially during the current pandemic. See what business executives are saying about the use of private aviation options and why they prefer it.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 21 May 2020

This morning, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) announced it is updating security procedures for air travelers with the purpose of protecting the public and TSA employees from COVID-19. These security procedures include:

• Social distancing 
• TSA officers will wear masks and gloves at security checkpoints
• Travelers will keep possession of their boarding pass
• The allowance of up to 12 oz. of hand sanitizer
• Food should be kept separated for x-ray processing

Published by Transportation Security Administration 5 May 2020

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released a Notice of temporary exemption for the Alien Flight Student Program.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is granting a temporary exemption from certain requirements in 49 CFR part 1552 regarding the timeframe within which a flight school must initiate flight training for alien flight students (candidates) who have an approved TSA security threat assessment (STA). For the duration of this exemption, TSA grants an extension from 180 days to 365 calendar days for candidates to begin training if the candidate's information and fees for an STA were submitted on or between December 1, 2019 and September 1, 2020.

Published by Fox News 3 May 2020

An aircraft was searched after it was forced to land at Anchorage International Airport. The search was initiated due to a report of a bomb on-board. Authorities report they “do not believe that there is any ongoing threat to the community.” At this time, it is unknown how the threat was discovered.

To read this article, click here. 

Published by The Hill 3 May 2020

In recent news, there are some concerns surrounding terrorist threats and global security at the same time of dealing with a world-wide pandemic. The Hill states, "Security agencies and researchers are monitoring an uptick in racially motivated hate crimes pushed by extremists online. The threat is more pronounced as whole populations are under stay-at-home orders and spending more time online."

In an attempt to mitigate job losses, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan provides assistance to small businesses by providing much needed funding and allowing them to keep employees on payroll. Unfortunately, recent news of a security breach leaves many business owners concerned their personal information may end up in the wrong hands. 

Published by AV Web 19 April 2020

From the start of the pandemic, we have witnessed passenger travel drop significantly, causing airlines huge losses. In an attempt to minimize the monetary losses, airlines have made a switch to cargo-only flights. Since the seats in the cabin are unoccupied by passengers, the FAA advised airlines of their ability to remove the seats, creating more space for freight and cargo.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Transportation Security Administration 15 April 2020

Even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, there are still some individuals that are required to travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has made some adjustments that travelers should be aware of.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Business Insider 12 March 2020

Coronavirus is a global pandemic affecting numerous aspects of our daily lives. During this pandemic, hackers are taking advantage of opportunities to gain access to your systems, sensitive security information (SSI) and personal identifiable information (PII). Educate yourself on safe practices and know what to look for; double check to see if you are on a secured website and ensure what you are downloading doesn’t result in malware. Stay vigilant.

Published by The New York Times 11 March 2020

On Wednesday, March 11, World Health Organization (WHO) announced COVID-19 is now labeled a global pandemic. This has changed travel drastically. Airports and airlines are taking extreme precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, COVID-19 isn’t halting travel completely. There are still folks that travel for their job and are required to do so (pilots, flight attendants, traveling nurses/doctors, cruise line staff, etc). Check out the changes implemented and know what to expect.

Published by Global News 21 February 2020

Two aircraft belonging to Harbour Air were involved in an accident when a man collided into them after stealing a third aircraft. After the incident, the man left the scene according to witness testimony and police are still searching for him. Situations like these only further emphasize the need for increased security and awareness surrounding these locations.

To read this article, please click here.

Published by FierceHealthcare 20 February 2020

In 2019, staff actions, a massive data breach and an increase of hacking incidents led to the breach of more than 41 million patient records according to a new report by Protenus and DataBreaches.net. The report also showed that the number of breaches in 2019 amounted to 572, significantly higher than the 450 security incidents reported in 2016.

To read this article, click here.

Published by DARKReading 19 February 2020

Sticky notes and human memory were found to be the most popular methods used by security professionals and consumers to remember passwords, according to a new report released by the Ponemon Institute. The report also revealed that security professionals share passwords, use the same passwords for workplace accounts, and don’t protect personal accounts with two factor authentication.

To read this article, click here.

Published by CNN 10 February 2020

In 2017, personal information including Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and names of almost 150 million Americans was stolen when Equifax became the victim of a data breach. Now, four members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army have been charged by a federal grand jury for conducting it.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Department of Homeland Security 6 February 2020

Close to 30,000 commercial truck drivers and at least 150,000 other residents within the state of New York will no longer be eligible to apply for Trusted Traveler Programs like Global Entry and FAST, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS cites the change as the result of a new state law that prevents agencies within DHS to receive important data on residents from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

To read this announcement, click here.

Published by Threatpost news 4 February 2020

The application programming interface (API) on Twitter is a tool people use to identify friends and acquaintances by using their phone number. However, several fake accounts were discovered using it for the sole purpose of uncovering Twitter users. The accounts were linked to IP addresses in Malaysia, Israel and Iran, and Twitter has expressed concern that they belong to state-sponsored actors.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Bloomberg Law 4 February 2020

A new lawsuit sites that Salesforce and Hanna Andersson, a children’s clothing company, have violated California’s Unfair Competition Law. The lawsuit comes after Salesforce experienced a data breach due to a malware. The information, which included payment card numbers, customer names and other personal data was offered for sale on the dark web.

To read this article, click here.

Issued by Department of Homeland Security 2 February 2020

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has modified its notice of arrival restrictions for flights carrying persons who have recently been in the People’s Republic of China. The modification increases the number of airports where these flights can land and when these airports will begin receiving flights. 

To read this modification, please click here.

Issued by Department of Homeland Security 4 January 2020

Due to increasing tensions within the Middle East, an alert bulletin was issued by DHS. This bulletin highlights that attacks can come at any time with little or no warning, however, a specific, credible threat is not currently known. Advisory Bulletins describe current developments or general trends regarding threats of terrorism.

Read this bulletin here to stay informed, be prepared and learn how you can help.

Published by Aviation International News on 19 December 2019

An investigation is underway as authorities look into an incident where a 17-year-old girl stole a King Air and crashed into an airport building.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Security Magazine 2 December 2019

There are so many factors to consider when making your security choices. Both contract security and in-house security have benefits when it comes to cybersecurity and physical security.

Published by Independent on 21 November 2019

Airport security screening can vary by location. It is very possible that your screening experience in a foreign location may be very different than in the United States.

To read this article, click here.

Published by Homeland Preparedness News 25 October 2019.

A bill sponsored by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings was advanced by the House Committee on Homeland Security. The bill was to improve the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA's) security operations.

To read this article, click here.