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The House Appropriations Committee has released its final four spending bills as lawmakers race to meet a Jan. 30 funding deadline and avoid a lapse in government funding. The measures would fund the departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Defense, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, Education, and related agencies. With the House scheduled to recess next week, leaders must advance the bills through the chamber this week. Read the rest of the story at MeriTalk.

A new joint report published by Europol and its partners provides financial institutions with a structured, risk-based approach to preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Advances in quantum computing are expected to challenge the long-term security of today’s encryption standards. The report, ‘Prioritising Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Activities in Financial Services’, is designed to support organisations as they move from strategic awareness to practical execution. It sets out a prioritisation framework that helps identify which systems and business use cases should be addressed first, based on an assessment of both quantum-related risk and the time and complexity required to implement quantum-safe solutions. The methodology combines factors such as the sensitivity and expected lifespan of protected data, the level of exposure to potential attackers and the potential business impact of compromise. It also takes into account practical considerations including solution availability, implementation cost, and dependencies on third parties. This allows organisations to distinguish between use cases that require long-term planning and those where early action can be taken with limited disruption. The report highlights several areas where immediate steps are possible, including the deployment of hybrid post-quantum encryption for public-facing websites and the identification and removal of weak or outdated cryptographic practices that increase technical debt and hinder future migration. These measures are presented as “no-regret” actions that strengthen security today while improving readiness for the quantum transition. Developed in cooperation with financial institutions, the publication is intended to support consistent decision-making and coordination across the financial ecosystem. It underlines that the move to quantum-safe cryptography is a phased, multi-year effort that requires early visibility of risks and dependencies, alignment with vendors and standards bodies, and integration into existing risk management and modernisation programmes. Europol’s Quantum Safe Financial Forum In 2024, Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) created the Quantum Safe Financial Forum (QSFF), in close cooperation with the EC3 Advisory Group on Financial Services. The QSFF is a multi-stakeholder effort to address the transition to Post Quantum Cryptography across the financial sector, with particular focus in Europe. The original announcement can be found here.

Marine Interdiction Agents from Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, rescued a man who was stranded after his kayak capsized off the coast of Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Monday. Jose Rolon, of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, was fishing about a mile offshore when a wave overturned his kayak in rough seas, authorities said. He was found wearing a lifejacket and clinging to his kayak. Marine Interdiction Agents responded after overhearing an urgent marine broadcast from the US Coast Guard, which had received a distress call at 3:35 p.m. from a 911 operator. The call dropped before officials could obtain all the details, but Coast Guard watchstanders quickly launched a helicopter and notified local emergency agencies. The CBP marine unit searching the area spotted a floating cooler from the kayak, which led them to Rolon. Agents pulled him and his kayak from the water and brought them to a nearby pier, where emergency medical personnel were waiting. No injuries were reported. “This rescue highlights the dedication of our marine unit and the importance of strong partnerships with the Coast Guard and local agencies,” said Christopher Hunter, Director of Air and Marine Operations for CBP’s Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “Our team’s swift response and coordination ensured a safe outcome for Mr. Rolon.” The original announcement can be found here.