Short Takes – 11-17-23

Mayorkas warns of dangers to the US if it loses tools to block terrorists from using drones and WMD. ABCNews.com article. Pull quote: “The [CWMD] office, with about 240 federal employees and over 400 contract staff, and a budget last fiscal year of roughly $450 million, works with other parts of Homeland Security as well as states, municipalities, tribes and territories to make sure they have the right technology, training and intelligence to protect the country from mass attacks like from a nuclear weapon.”

Notice of President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council Meeting. Federal Register DHS meeting notice. Agenda: “The National Infrastructure Advisory Council will meet in an open session on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST to discuss NIAC activities. The open session will include: (1) a period for public comment; (2) a keynote address on critical infrastructure security and resilience; (3) a report to the Council from the NIAC's Electrification Subcommittee; (4) deliberation and vote on Electrification Subcommittee recommendations; and (5) Additional Topics Discussion.”

National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Federal Register CISA meeting notice. Agenda: “The NSTAC will meet in an open session on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST to discuss current NSTAC activities and the government's ongoing cybersecurity and NS/EP communications initiatives. This open session will include: (1) a keynote address; and (2) a status update on the Measuring and Incentivizing the Adoption of Cybersecurity Best Practices Study.”