The U. S. federal government is planning to roll out a consumer labeling system that was created to help pick smart devices that are less vulnerable to hacking.
The program is called the U. S. Cyber Trust Mark Initiative. If a manufacturer meets federal cybersecurity standards, they can place the label on their products. The types of products included so far are home security cameras, baby monitors, fitness trackers and smart appliances.
The FCC says it created the voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless consumer IoT products. The program builds on significant public and private sector work on IoT cybersecurity. And it will rely on public-private collaboration going forward.
UL LLC (UL Solutions) has been selected to serve as the Lead Administrator and a Cybersecurity Label Administrator (CLA) of the FCC’s voluntary cybersecurity labeling program for wireless consumer Internet of Things (IoT) products. Under this program, qualifying consumer smart products that meet robust cybersecurity standards will bear a label—including a new “U.S Cyber Trust Mark.”
This will help consumers make informed decisions about the products they bring into their homes, will differentiate trustworthy products in the marketplace, and create incentives for manufactures to meet higher cybersecurity standards the agency says. This program could be subject to changes due to the recent administration change.
On a Frontier Airlines flight from Denver to Houston, Tuesday, February 4, a man became unruly, damaging the aircraft’s window. He was eventually subdued by fellow passengers.He either punched or kicked an airplane window so hard that it cracked before he was hogtied by other passengers.
The incident occurred about 20 minutes into Frontier Flight 4856 when the man began punching a seat and a window, cracking the plexiglass. Several passengers intervened, using zip ties and shoelaces to restrain him until the plane landed safely in Houston, Texas at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Local police said chaos erupted when the man began punching the seat in front of him and the plane window, local news reports said. The man hit the window with such force that the plexiglass covering broke off and the window itself cracked, however, the plane did not lose pressure.
“He was very physical. I picked him up and put him on the ground. It took a couple of guys to get his arms behind him and secured,” passenger and Army veteran Tanner Phillips told a local news station. “We put hands on him and were able to secure him. Someone had zip ties, and someone else took their bootlace off and helped us out.”
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) commented on changes the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) intends to implement to its Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) for public charter flights operating under 14 CFR Part 380 and FAR Part 135.
“NBAA is carefully analyzing the TSA’s changes to public charter security,” said Doug Carr, NBAA senior vice president, safety, security, sustainability and international operations “Because of the classified nature of the TFSSP, we cannot comment on the details of our internal review, but we look forward to working with TSA to ensure the new program requirements are workable for the diverse operational profile of our sector, and that operators clearly understand the new mandates.”
The changes, released by the TSA earlier this month, have been under development for some time. Last year, the agency said it was working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review security protocols for public charter flights, following calls from some industry stakeholders to make the requirements more reflective of those for the airlines.
The TFSSP is a set of TSA security measures for aircraft operators utilizing aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight exceeding 12,500 pounds.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced more than $332 million for 171 grants across 32 states to modernize airports through the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $25 billion over five years for airport and air traffic control infrastructure improvements.
The AIG funds can be used for airport planning, development, sustainability, terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, runway safety enhancements, and noise compatibility projects.
“We are using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make historic investments in our nation’s airports to address a backlog of needs and accommodate growing air travel demand,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments—some already completed and many more still underway—ensure the traveling public will have safer and more accessible and efficient airports for decades to come.”
“Today, we invest in critical updates and improvements that help ensure travelers reach their destinations safely and efficiently,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E.
Airports receiving funding today include:
$84.3 million to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona to construct a new 2,100-foot Taxiway U and bridge to accommodate more aircraft operations.
$18.8 million to Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport in Alaska to expand the terminal to accommodate additional passengers and to rehabilitate the snow removal equipment storage building.
$6.7 million to Tallahassee International Airport in Florida to construct a new Taxiway B11 and Taxiway B12 and associated lighting to bring the airport into conformity with current FAA design and safety standards. Additionally, the existing Taxiway B will be rehabilitated to minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life and enhance safety.
$3.9 million to Hector International Airport in North Dakota to expand the existing terminal to add four new gates to accommodate more passengers.
$2.6 million to Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado to install new navigational aids to enhance safety. Additionally, this grant funds construction of a new South Apron and Taxiway B3 to bring the airport into conformity with current FAA design and safety standards.
$324,000 to Ruston Regional Airport in Louisiana to expand the existing Southeast Apron bringing the airport into conformity with current FAA design and safety standards.
$177,840 to Geraldine Airport in Montana to reseal existing Taxiway A and Runway 8/26 pavement and joints to enhance safety. Additionally, this grant funds the acquisition of 2.62 acres of land to protect the approach to Runway 8/26 and bring the airport into conformity with current FAA design and safety standards.
Several projects from earlier grant announcements have been completed or are nearing completion. Examples include:
Jonesboro Municipal Airport in Arkansas received $2,458,000 to strengthen Runway 5/23 to accommodate a heavier class of aircraft and meet FAA design and safety standards.
Madisonville Regional Airport in Kentucky received $300,000 to enhance safe airfield operations during low visibility conditions by rehabilitating the Runway 5/23 and Taxiway A lighting systems.
Scottsdale Airport in Arizona received $759,988 to shift Taxiway A13 from its current airfield location to meet FAA design and safety standards.
Today’s funding is from one of three aviation grant programs created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To date, nearly $12 billion of the $15 billion total of AIG funding has been made available to airports across all 50 states. Learn more about the full $25 billion in the infrastructure law for airport improvements by visiting faa.gov/bil.
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes a historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness by rebuilding America’s roads and bridges, upgrading and expanding public transit and rail, and modernizing the nation’s ports and airports. To date, the Administration has announced over $568 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for over 66,000 infrastructure projects across the nation and has mobilized $1 trillion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States.
The body of a person was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines plane that landed in Maui, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Dec. 24.
The body was found in one of the main landing gear wheel wells on a Boeing 787-10 plane after it arrived at Kahului Airport, a statement from United Airlines said. Flight 202 departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 9:49 a.m. and arrived in Maui at 2:12 p.m. local time.
“At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well,” the airline said in the statement, adding that the company was working with law enforcement to find out more information. The wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft.
The Maui Police Department said they are “conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual,” in a local news report.
Rohde & Schwarz unveiled its latest innovations and demonstrations recently at CES 2025. Rohde & Schwarz says it has made significant contributions to advancing the industry’s vision of autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity and for the first time in the U. S., Rohde & Schwarz will show a radical innovation in automotive radar testing.
The new R&S RadEsT automotive radar tester is a compact, versatile radar target simulator that meets the full range of testing needs – from lab-based functional testing to vehicle-level production checks and beyond. Visitors can learn how to streamline radar sensor testing using the R&S RadEsT in radar sensor calibration, ADAS/AD functional testing and on OEM production lines– all along radar sensors lifecycle.
Additionally, visitors will gain insights into the latest testing solutions for in-vehicle networks such as gigabit multimedia serial link (GMSL) and Ethernet connections. These solutions are designed to ensure high-speed data transfer and energy efficiency for next-generation vehicles. Testing GMSL and Ethernet compliance ensures that automotive systems can handle the high data rates required for advanced infotainment and autonomous driving systems.
“We are honored to be at the heart of the automotive ecosystem, providing test solutions that drive the industry’s progress in autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity,” stated Frank Dunn, Rohde & Schwarz USA CEO. “Our cutting-edge technologies are designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern automotive engineering, ensuring reliability, safety, and performance.”
Demonstrations at the Rohde & Schwarz booth at the CES show floor, will showcase the latest advancements in ADAS sensor fusion and hardware-in-the-loop (XiL) testing. These technologies are crucial for ensuring accurate and reliable data integration from multiple sensors in autonomous vehicles. By simulating real-world driving scenarios and combining them with virtual models, Rohde & Schwarz enables comprehensive testing of complex sensor systems. This ensures that autonomous vehicles can effectively perceive and respond to their surroundings with high precision and reliability, pushing the boundaries of what autonomous technology can achieve.
Even marginal improvements in electric drivetrain efficiency and performance can significantly enhance overall electric vehicle (EV) operation. Assessing the energy efficiency of the entire drivetrain requires precise and detailed measurements. At CES, Rohde & Schwarz will present a solution for OEMs and their suppliers to characterize and optimize drivetrain components, such as inverters and battery management systems. The solution is based on the MFIA from Zurich Instruments, the MXO 5 oscilloscope and the RT-ZISO isolated probing system
Demonstrations automotive connectivity testing including digital key systems using BLE and UWB technologies will highlight secure vehicle access, with Rohde & Schwarz’s tests ensuring top security standards and seamless functionality. Hands-on exhibits will feature EMC and OTA tests for vehicle antennas including digital twin modeling, essential for robust wireless communication and consistent performance under various conditions.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Philippines (CAAP) has taken a major leap forward in safety and operational efficiency with the adoption of space-based air traffic surveillance data from Aireon.
Under an agreement signed today, CAAP will deploy Aireon’s space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data for controlling and separating aircraft in the busy Manila Flight Information Region (FIR).
The Manila FIR, one of the largest in the region at nearly three million square kilometers, has seen a significant jump in regional and overseas traffic. The adoption of Aireon surveillance data will allow air traffic controllers to have unparalleled visibility of air traffic, which is particularly important over the ocean and in remote regions.
“Aireon’s space-based ADS-B data holds a great deal of promise for the CAAP to improve efficiency, increase safety and enhance environmental sustainability. We at Aireon are looking forward to partnering with the CAAP and to supporting their safety goals,” said Peter Cabooter, executive vice president, customer affairs at Aireon.
With this critical step forward, Philippines now joins other regional aviation leaders such as Hong Kong Singapore, and India in opting to increase efficiency, improve safety and enhance sustainability with Aireon data. CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo highlighted the significance of the partnership, emphasizing that the adoption of the system will enhance the Philippines’ air traffic management capabilities substantially.
“The integration of Aireon’s space-based ADS-B technology marks a transformative step for Philippine aviation. It allows us to maintain the highest levels of safety while accommodating the increasing demand for air travel in our region,” he added.
Safe Pro Group a leading provider of mission-critical aerial and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, announced that its Airborne Response (Airborne) division has delivered on several contract milestones for a multisite installation of a Drone-as-a-First-Responder (DFR) solution under a multiphase contract with a Florida municipal police department. Airborne’s team continues training law enforcement drone pilots in advance of routine 24x7x365 flight operations which can significantly enhance the police department’s public safety response capabilities.
The company’s execution on this initial Florida municipal contract award includes Airborne spearheading and executing a comprehensive turnkey project plan including:
Coordination with the FAA and assistance in obtaining critical FAA approvals including Certificates of Authorization (COA).
Multisite installation of Florida-compliant drones and weatherproof “drone nest” recharging stations with automated battery swapping to reduce downtime.
Hardware integration of multi-site 360⁰ radar coverage and secure drone data communication links for safe and reliable operation.
Part 107 pilot test preparation and personalized crew training for full-time public safety operations.
“Receiving this award in late 2023 enabled us to realize our vision for the use of compliant drones in public safety, allowing us to develop and deliver to the market a turnkey blueprint for police departments nationwide,” stated Dan Erdberg chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group. “Today, drones are a valuable aerial tool for police departments, complementing their use of helicopters which are expensive to acquire and operate. Small drones equipped with recharging nests offer increased availability and nearly continuous operation at a fraction of the cost per hour of a helicopter. We are proud to have achieved this contract milestone, and we remain committed to serving our government, public safety and enterprise customers as momentum for our solutions continue to build.”
Airborne Response’s turnkey integrated drone solution for State and local agencies features:
A complete turnkey system including operational support for law enforcement, public safety, and other first responders, assisting them in utilizing advanced, Florida law-compliant Blue UAS-type drone technologies for rapid incident response and assessment.
Complete drone infrastructure system design, hardware purchases, specialized operational software development and ongoing maintenance and support.
Assistance in obtaining several FAA approvals including Certificates of Authorization (COA), Part 107 test preparation as well as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waivers and pilot training to ensure compliance with all State and Federal requirements.
Airborne Response is one of Florida’s leading providers of drone-based critical infrastructure inspection and monitoring services. It serves customers including power utilities, telecommunications network operators and property insurance companies and is a trusted partner in local hurricane disaster response services. Public safety and first responders around the country are exploring the use of drone technology for rapid incident response which allows them to quickly dispatch drones to the required location, capturing and recording real-time video which is relayed to system operators. Trained operators can assess the situation and share real-time information with any first responders before they arrive, greatly improving situational awareness or even canceling a response if the situation is resolved, reducing costs by eliminating the unnecessary deployment of personnel and resources.
Authorities across 19 African countries have arrested 1,006 suspects and dismantled 134,089 malicious infrastructures and networks thanks to a joint operation by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL against cybercrime.
Operation Serengeti (2 September – 31 October) targeted criminals behind ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion and online scams – all identified as prominent threats in the 2024 Africa Cyber Threat Assessment Report.
More than 35,000 victims were identified during the operation, with cases linked to nearly $193 million in financial losses worldwide.
Information provided by participating countries of ongoing cases with INTERPOL fed into 65 Cyber Analytical Reports that were produced to ensure actions on the ground were intelligence-led and focused on the most significant actors.
Private sector partners, including Internet Service Providers, also played a vital role by sharing intelligence, supporting analysis and disrupting criminal activities. They provided on-site support and offered round-the-clock remote assistance to patch vulnerabilities and secure critical infrastructure for the participating member countries.
“From multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale, the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks is of serious concern,” said Valdecy Urquiza, secretary general of INTERPOL. “Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from real personal and financial pain. We know that this is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will continue targeting these criminal groups worldwide.”
Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s executive director said: “Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We’ve facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends. Our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques.”
National Case Studies
In Kenya, officers cracked a case of online credit card fraud linked to losses of $8.6 million. The funds, stolen through fraudulent scripts run after altering the banking system’s security protocol, were promptly redistributed by the group via SWIFT to companies in the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and China and subsequently, to digital asset institutions offering trading and financial services regulated in multiple jurisdictions. Nearly two dozen arrests have been made so far.
Eight people, including five Chinese nationals, were arrested in Senegal for a $6 million online Ponzi scheme affecting 1,811 victims. A search of their apartment uncovered over 900 SIM cards, $11,000 in cash, phones, laptops, and copies of victims’ ID cards.
Nigerian authorities arrested a man accused of running online investment scams. He is believed to have made upwards of $300,000 by luring victims through messaging platforms with false promises of cryptocurrency returns.
In Cameroon, authorities arrested a group suspected of trafficking victims from seven different countries to run a multi-level marketing scam. After paying a “membership fee”, victims were promised employment opportunities or training but once in Cameroon, they were held captive and obliged to lure others into the scheme to gain their freedom. Initial estimates show that the group had already pocketed at least $150,000 in fees.
Angolan investigators dismantled an international criminal group running a virtual casino in Luanda. The group, which primarily targeted Brazilian and Nigerian gamblers, defrauded hundreds through its online platform, offering a percentage of winnings to members who recruited new subscribers. Some 150 arrests were made, with officers seizing 200 computers and more than 100 mobile phones.
Operation Serengeti was carried out with funding of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Council of Europe.
SITA has announced the formal integration of IPS Intelligent Passenger Solutions into its SITA Airports portfolio. The move further positions SITA as the market leader in airport technology and innovation.
Under its new name, ‘IPS a SITA company’ delivers a strengthened range of products deliver intelligent passenger solutions including self-service bag drop systems, kiosks, touchless scanners and printers, and associated technologies. IPS a SITA company now sits alongside airport operations, passenger processing and baggage systems in a new gold standard for the Aviation Technology Industry (ATI) and passengers alike.
SITA completed regulatory formalities and legal procedures to acquire IPS in July and, now combined, is supporting an unprecedented acceleration of global aviation industry digitalization, streamlining check-in, baggage handling, security, and airport operation processes alike. Travelers can expect to see reduced wait times, smoother journeys, and a new era of personalized and easy to use digital services.
In addition to ‘IPS a SITA company’, the SITA Airports portfolio continues to lead the way in supporting the Aviation Transport Industry with market leading products and services. These include technologies such as biometrics, with 85% of international air passengers served globally, Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) and Common Use Self Service (CUSS) kiosks, together with Airport Management Systems (AMS) and Airside Optimizer solutions that deliver smooth, efficient and sustainable airport decision-making. All help to support airports to maximize terminal capacities and deliver best-in-class secure solutions that provide ‘frictionless travel’ for passengers, where biometrics, facial recognition, and self-service solutions transform airports from simple transit hubs to digital, highly personalized travel experiences.
“Airports worldwide need to adopt technologies that can remove unnecessary bottlenecks at pinch points like check-in, security and embarkation. The addition of IPS a SITA company combines the best of our market-leading SITA and IPS products and expertise to deliver seamless travel experiences. This unrivaled gold standard portfolio will enable our airport customers to deliver the solutions that will ultimately ensure passengers worldwide enjoy an easier and frictionless travel experience, devoid of frustrating and lengthy queues. By combining CUTE and CUSS kiosks with biometric and facial recognition technology, and our IPS portfolio, SITA is at the forefront of developments that will ultimately reshape the future of airport travel,” said Nathalie Altwegg, SVP of Airports at SITA.
“Together, we are setting a new standard in automated passenger handling for the aviation industry,” added Dr. Georg Oschmann, CEO of IPS a SITA company. “By connecting our expertise, we are positioned to deliver even greater value to airlines and airports worldwide. Our integration enhances our ability to streamline the passenger journey and drive innovation that meets the evolving needs of the industry.”
More than 2,300 Self-Bag Drop kiosks are already deployed in over 120 airports globally, handling some 150,000 daily bag drops around the world. More than 13 billion air passengers use its systems annually. IPS provides secure solutions for all common-use passenger touchpoints, from check-in to self-bag drop, baggage claim and boarding systems, plus integrated biometric identification, cloud-based fully managed services and smart payment technology.
