national security

On August 26, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14421, Declaring a National Emergency to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System. The Order establishes a new national security regulatory framework for a broad range of equipment, software, services, and supply chain relationships associated with the U.S. electric grid. Although the Order is framed as a grid security measure, its implications extend well beyond utilities.

Equipment manufacturers, project developers, utilities, contractors, lenders, investors, data center operators, and others participating in the energy sector may all be affected. The Order introduces new restrictions and uncertainty into energy infrastructure procurement and supply chains and, critically, it represents a fundamental shift in how the federal government approaches security risks in the energy sector.

Continue Reading The Electric Grid’s ICTS Moment? New National Security Executive Order Targets Foreign-Sourced Energy Equipment

On October 17, 2023, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) published a report on mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) in the defense industrial base. The report details the current M&A review process of the Department of Defense (“DOD”) and provides recommendations to proactively assess M&A competition risks.

Continue Reading GAO Recommends Increased Guidance for DOD Mergers & Acquisitions Review

The United States National Cybersecurity Strategy, released on March 2, 2023, is poised to place significant responsibility for cybersecurity on federal contractors, technology companies, and critical infrastructure owners and operators.  The Strategy articulates a series of objectives and recommended executive and legislative actions that, if implemented, would increase the…

Continue Reading White House Releases National Cybersecurity Strategy

On June 26, 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”) published a final rule extending its pilot Partner Vetting System (“PVS”) program to assistance awards and cooperative agreements.  This final rule comes nearly two years after USAID issued a proposed rule applying PVS to USAID assistance and resembles USAID’s existing vetting program for its procurement contracts.  The final rule goes into effect on July 27, 2015.

PVS is intended to prevent USAID funds and resources from inadvertently benefitting terrorists and their supporters or affiliates.  In pursuit of that goal, applicants for USAID assistance subject to PVS must submit identifying information about their key individuals, which an independent vetting official then checks against government databases to determine potential affiliations with or links to terrorism.  Any applicant that does not pass the vetting process is deemed ineligible for award.Continue Reading USAID Publishes Final Rule Extending Partner Vetting to Assistance Awards