The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) hosted the Georgetown University Summer Security Studies Institute for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students on June 14, 2023. Georgetown’s Security Studies Summer Institute “...is intended to expand the diversity of the national security field by increasing awareness of and access to graduate training and career opportunities,” for HBCU students.

A representative from CISA’s Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP) briefed attendees on the wave of bomb threats targeting HBCUs in 2022 and how CISA OBP provided support to mitigate these incidents. This presentation is one of many CISA OBP efforts to expand the services, expertise, and threat response resources it offers to HBCUs nationwide. As of February 2023, these efforts trained more than 1,400 participants and delivered 1,500 informational products.

To learn more about CISA OBP and its free training or resources, please visit Bombing Prevention | CISA.

In an address to the workforce to honor National Police Week, Sean Haglund, Associate Director for CISA OBP, stated, “Police are the first line of defense in our communities, and the courage, dedication, and bravery they exhibit each day is both inspiring and critical to our mission. We commend both those who have lost their lives, and those putting on the uniform to protect us each day.”

CISA OBP is offering the Surveillance Detection Principles course (AWR-940) to continue to enhance nationwide C-IED core capabilities. This is just one of the many courses CISA OBP has in its arsenal of C-IED curricula designed to enhance the security of critical infrastructure.

This four-hour course is a virtual, instructor-led training for audiences such as critical infrastructure owners and operators, public safety officers, emergency managers, security officers, law enforcement officers, and private sector security professionals.

The training provides participants with a general overview and introductory skills to recognize hostile surveillance at facilities and events, and knowledge for planning and responding appropriately.

Visit Bombing Prevention Training | CISA for more information and to register for this course.

CISA OBP engaged attendees at the National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC) in Chicago on July 24–27, 2023. The conference brings together business owners, universities, nonprofits, federal agencies, and decision makers to learn about emerging trends in homeland security and view new equipment and technology available to support their mission.

CISA Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan conducted a keynote speech on how CISA is mobilizing a collective defense to understand and manage risk to critical infrastructure, assisting attendees to better manage their organizations’ risk and increase their resilience to potential threats. CISA OBP also provided two sessions – “Building C-IED Capability through OBP’s Technical Assistance Program” and “Using an Empowered Trainer Program to Increase Training Capacity.” CISA OBP also led a panel discussion on “Combatting Explosive Threats to our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure.”

Following the panel, Jason Stewart, CISA OBP’s Deputy Branch Chief for Strategy, noted the value of the NHSC: “C-IED is a challenging mission that involves collaboration across the public and private sectors to enhance security and resilience to mitigate bombing incidents. The NHSC continues to provide a great platform for this discussion, and we are thankful to have participated.” 

To learn more about the National Homeland Security Conference, please visit National Homeland Security Conference. More information about CISA, including access to awareness products, training opportunities, or other resources are available at Bombing Prevention | CISA.

CISA OBP engaged key stakeholders and shared CISA OBP products at the 11th Annual Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Day on the Hill on May 24, 2023. Sponsored by the United States Bomb Technician Association, this event brings together members of the bipartisan Congressional EOD Caucus and leaders from the bombing prevention and EOD community. It also provides an opportunity to build relationships and promote valuable work done across the EOD community.

CISA OBP shared products to educate and inform members, staff, and guests on EOD capabilities and CISA OBP’s prevention tactics, including virtual and in-person trainings, awareness products, and C-IED planning tools. During the event, CISA OBP leadership connected with their partners and continued to build upon those relationships, fostering opportunities for future collaboration. 

Last year, members of the Congressional EOD Caucus introduced the Bombing Prevention Act of 2022 in the House of Representatives.

To learn more about CISA OBP and its free training or resources, please visit Bombing Prevention Training | CISA.

Last year, BATS recorded 14,627 explosive-related incidents—an increase of 35% over 2021 incidents. CISA OBP’s analysis suggests this increase could be attributed to a rise in bomb threats targeting HBCUs in February 2022 and at universities, community colleges, and technical schools from June through August that same year.

Explosive-related incidents in the report include device recoveries, suspicious packages, threats, or thefts and losses. The breakdown of these incidents shows 334 bombings, 6,979 recoveries, and 5,567 suspicious or unattended packages. CISA OBP will continue to leverage these resources to collect data in the future and develop new mitigation strategies.

For more details on the 2022 USBDC Explosives Incident Report, log into TRIPwire and click on the report graphic in the carousel. You can sign up for a TRIPwire account at TRIPwire. For assistance registering for the site, please contact the TRIPwire helpdesk at 866-987-9473, or email TRIPwireHelp@cisa.dhs.gov. 

In response to an increase in bomb threats targeting higher education institutions in 2022, CISA OBP released the Bomb Threat Management Annex Template to continue support for college and universities. Specifically, bomb threat campaigns targeting HBCUs as well as other Predominately Black Institutions contributed heavily to the dramatic increase in the reported bomb threats over 2021 reporting. CISA OBP created the template to also assist officials who develop and implement plans to manage bomb threat situations. The template contains definitions, quick reference guides, planning considerations, and language to simplify safe and effective response procedures.

The Bomb Threat Management Annex Template outlines how to develop a Bomb Threat Management Annex to any institution’s existing Emergency Operations Plan. Planning actions in this template include what to do when receiving bomb threats, protective measures, communication, and coordination. Quick reference guides and sample language can be customized to address the unique characteristics of the institution and the surrounding community. As with any planning action, coordinating with local law enforcement and other relevant partners to develop and exercise the Bomb Threat Management Annex ensures successful implementation. In addition, the template also includes a resources section that includes CISA OBP free training and other available resources.

The Bomb Threat Management Annex Template is one of the many tools CISA OBP has developed for higher education institutions like HBCUs. Under the direction of Secretary Mayorkas, the Department is committed to “deepen [its] partnerships with HBCUs to protect students and faculty from an evolving range of threats.” This call-to-action spurred CISA OBP to refocus its efforts on expanding services, resources, and expertise to HBCUs nationwide. Among these offerings, CISA OBP developed threat response resources for universities that included training, exercises, and incident management guides; and hosted in-person educational forums at five HBCU locations to promote threat awareness. As of February 2023, CISA OBP delivered 1,500 informational products and trained more than 1,400 participants.

To learn more about CISA OBP and its free training or resources, please visit Bombing Prevention Training | CISA.

Local officials, federal agencies, and military engineers went the whole nine yards to partner with the National Football League (NFL) to enhance security for the 88th annual draft that concluded this April. In the months leading up to this year’s highly anticipated draft, CISA OBP along with Regional Protective Security Advisors and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), local officials, and the NFL collaborated to provide a safe venue for all participants and the public.

Specifically, the collaboration included the deployment of the Ready Armor Protection for Instant Deployment (RAPID) barrier and the Deployable Expedient Traffic Entry Regulator (DETER). The RAPID barrier is a collapsible protective security product used for critical asset protection and intrusion prevention that can be installed in 30 minutes. The DETER is a barrier that protects critical assets and soft targets from vehicular attacks. It was designed for quick deployment and is adaptable to various lane widths, road surfaces, and environmental conditions.

"The NFL was proud to work with the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center to provide a safe and successful 2023 Draft,” said Cathy Lanier, NFL’s Chief Security Officer. “Deploying sensible technologies in coordination with trusted partners protects our fans and allows the experience to take centerstage. We look forward to continuing to work together at future NFL events.”

“Recent data indicates an upward trend in bomb threats year over year. As such, collaboration between public and private sectors is crucial to mitigating nefarious intentions of criminal or terrorist actors,” said Sean Haglund, CISA OBP’s Associate Director. He added, “CISA OBP’s partnership with ERDC, DHS S&T, and the NFL exemplifies the value of working together in a shared effort to secure our communities.”

To see the full press release, please visit: Public-Private Partners Huddle to Tackle Security at the 88th Annual NFL Draft | CISA.

More information about CISA, including access to awareness products, training opportunities, or other resources are available at Bombing Prevention | CISA. For more information on ERDC, visit ERDC. Additional information for DHS S&T may be found by visiting Science and Technology Directorate.