The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently marked the anniversary of a department established to consolidate its efforts in protecting America from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The occasion also saw a renewed commitment towards its reauthorization.
As per a DHS news release, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), set up in 2018, functions as the DHS's point of contact for WMD and CBRN coordination. This includes allocating funds and meeting operational requirements for the federal government and their private partners to detect biological and nuclear materials. It also involves training and exercises. The celebration was led by CWMD Assistant Secretary Mary Ellen Callahan.
Callahan stated, "The threat of weapons of mass destruction terrorism is real. Five years ago, in the face of a dynamic, evolving threat environment, legislators recognized that the U.S. needed a more holistic approach to countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats to the Homeland." She added that "By authorizing CWMD, the legislators enabled us to enhance and coordinate the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection efforts of federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to improve preparedness and response capabilities throughout the United States. We look forward to continuing this essential mission to protect the American people."
According to another news release cited in the article, President Biden has requested that CWMD investigate whether artificial intelligence (AI) can be employed in creating WMDs when he signed the President’s Executive Order on AI in October 2023. Among his objectives was for CWMD to assess whether AI could simplify developing synthetic nucleic acids required for producing biological weapons. The president anticipates that a framework can be devised that would detect synthetic-nucleic acid through tests to prevent potential adversaries from manufacturing such weapons.
