DataRobot, Inc. has received a $200,000 award from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to begin testing a prototype of a machine learning platform for Customs and Border Protection’s Global Travel Assessment System (GTAS). CBP proves the GTAS to other countries at no cost to enable them to meet U.S. security standards through the analysis of risk criteria against standardized air traveler information. DataRobot work in automated machine learning will help develop predictive models for GTAS faster. The award was made under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program.

Thales says that it has extended the acceptance period for its offer to acquire Gemalto due to the fact that all regulatory clearances are still in the process of being obtained. The deal is expected to close this year but only four of 14 authorizations have been obtained.

The Department of Homeland Security on Aug. 13-15 hosted a “first of its kind” tabletop exercise with state and county election officials to test responses to cyber security incidents aimed at election systems. DHS says exercise participants included representatives from 44 states and the District of Columbia, the Election Assistance Commission, and various federal agencies. “The response we have received from this week’s participants has been overwhelmingly positive and we’ve identified areas we need to collectively focus on ahead of the midterm elections,” says Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.