Insights

Washington Post
The release of a huge tranche of U.S. diplomatic cables has laid bare the primary risk associated with the U.S. government's attempt to encourage better information-sharing: Someone is bound to leak.

The New York Times
DHS is planning to get rid of the color-coded terrorism alert system. Known officially as the Homeland Security Advisory System, the five-color scheme was introduced by the Bush administration in March 2002.

Washington Post
The U.S. tightened security on cargo shipments flown from abroad, banning "high-risk" cargo from flying on passenger planes after discovering a plot to send bombs in shipped packages.

Homeland Security Newswire
Light, with an acute sense of smell, giant African pouched rats could be used to sniff out narcotics or search for survivors of disasters like earthquakes.

Washington Technology
General Dynamics Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. have both filed protests over the General Services Administration's decision to award a $2.6 billion contract to Northrop Grumman Corp.

The TSA Blog
November marks the end of the year-long grace period for airlines to clear their systems of reservations made before Secure Flight requirements took effect.

Nextgov
The heads of the Defense and Homeland Security departments on Wednesday formally agreed to coordinate on cybersecurity in a newly established office.