Cyber takes back seat to immigration in global threats hearing

(L-R) Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joseph Kent, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Operations Director of the National Security Branch at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Michael Glasheen testify before the House Committee on Homeland Security in the Cannon House Office Building on December 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Despite overwhelming focus on the Department of Homeland Security’s handling of immigration enforcement, a Thursday hearing on worldwide threats targeting the U.S. did feature some insights into the biggest cybersecurity challenges facing the nation.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent and FBI National Security Branch operations chief Michael Glasheen testified before the House Homeland Security Committee in the annual hearing meant to discuss terrorism, cybersecurity, drones and other matters that concern Americans’ security.

Kent said that the counterterrorism center is tracking the proliferation of encrypted messaging ...