Reports

The continually evolving landscape of homeland security has proven to bring unique challenges. In order to overcome these obstacles, IDGA has annually brought together the top minds in the homeland defense and security spheres at our Homeland Security Week event, and this March proved to be one of the best iterations of the event yet.

For two days experts from across the Federal Government, Law Enforcement, Industry and Academia shared insights on a wide range of topics including border security, cybersecurity, counter UAS, intelligence sharing, infrastructure protection and resilience, identity technology, agency collaboration, budget planning and much more.

The following post show report will highlight what sets Homeland Security Week apart from other defense and security events, including the strong speaker roster, meaningful networking opportunities, and a sponsor list full of leading solutions providers in the homeland security space.

Since its inception in 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has had to contend with legacy IT systems that are costly to maintain, vulnerable to cyber threats, and increasingly misaligned with its evolving mission. By 2023, after several failed attempts to overhaul the system, the urgency to act had become unavoidable.

Past modernization efforts had often relied on sweeping programs and ambitious, all-at-once transformations that promised rapid change but frequently collapsed under their own complexity. These initiatives consumed billions of dollars, delivered little usable capability, and left DHS with fragmented systems that hindered efficiency and security. On the heels of a 2023 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), DHS leadership shifted course and embraced a new IT strategy built on incremental progress, modular design, and mission-driven priorities. This report will serve as a guide to the latest DHS IT modernization initiative. Over the next three pages, we will look at cybersecurity modernization, AI integration, and the future outlook for DHS IT.

At IDGA’s Homeland Security Week conference, discussions on IT, AI and cybersecurity will be one of the main pillars. Over the two-day summit, taking place this March 17-18 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in National Harbor, Maryland, professionals from the federal government and industry will also discuss biometrics, counter-UAS capabilities, border management, infrastructure resilience, and more.

Approving the budget for federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security can be a lengthy process that starts with the President’s budget request, followed by congressional review and approval from the House and Senate, then back to the President for signature or veto.

While the fiscal year officially began October 1, 2025, the full FY 2026 budget is still a work in progress, with the most recent Continuing Resolution from the recent government shutdown lasting only until January 30. With no appropriations bill forthcoming at the moment, the best glimpse of upcoming funding for DHS comes from the Presidential Budget Request.

In this report, we will take a big picture look at the budget request for DHS in 2026, then zoom in and look at what’s being asked for specific agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and more.

To hear directly from DHS leadership about funding needs and priorities, join IDGA’s Homeland Security Week Conference taking place March 17-18 at the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino in Maryland. The two-day summit will gather stakeholders from across government and industry to explore next-generation solutions in AI, cloud and cybersecurity, biometrics, counter-UAS capabilities, border management, infrastructure resilience, and more.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has provided global leaders a first-hand look at how modern warfare is conducted, including the significant threat posed by even the smallest, cheapest drones. During the conflict drones have been used for reconnaissance, guiding artillery, and attacking targets. For example, this past summer Ukraine carried out a large-scale coordinated drone assault on Russian air bases that reportedly struck over a third of Russia’s nuclear-capable bombers.

These unprecedented drone attacks have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Department of War (DoW), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) who recognize the need to secure American airspace against drone incursions. This August, the Army disbanded the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Task Force (C-sUAS) Office (JCO) in order to establish the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401). The goal for the new office is to better align authorities and resources to deliver C-UAS capabilities to U.S. warfighters to defend the homeland, protect U.S. and allied forces, defend critical infrastructure, and assist federal agencies.

The goal of this report is to further explain why the new task force was deemed necessary, and the responsibilities it will have. To hear directly from members of the newly established JIATF 401, join IDGA at Homeland Security Week set to take place March 17-18 MGM Hotel and Casino, National Harbor, Maryland. The two-day summit will welcome 600+ attendees for two days of keynote briefings, expert panels, and networking opportunities all geared toward the future of homeland security.

In this report produced for Homeland Security Week 2025, we examine the top cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified by CISA, along with details on the federal government’s latest cybersecurity training program at the time. The information remains highly relevant for understanding ongoing cybersecurity challenges and strategies.