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Homeland Security warns of cyber gaps, pushes for wireless emergency alerts and cyber funding
Summary
Guam's Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense told senators the island's all‑hazards alert system is operational but cyber defenses and emergency communications need federal support; the office is pursuing about $2 million and wireless emergency alert capability for cell phones.
Esther JC Aigi, Guam's Homeland Security Advisor and acting administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, told the committee that OS/OCD now operates at the intersection of disaster recovery and defense-related civil preparedness and identified cyber security and emergency communications as the most urgent needs.
Agi said, "Guam does not have an air raid warning system. What we have is an allhazards alert warning system also known as AHAS and I am proud to report that is fully operational." She described AHAS as 23 distributed warning locations that are tested monthly and said the system supports village-level outreach through mayors and the Joint Information Center during emergencies.
On cyber security, Agi said OS/OCD is "pursuing federal funding, approximately $2 million, to modernize our IT infrastructure, establish redundant communication systems, and build out a cyber security capability appropriate for an island of strategic national importance." She told senators that Guam's critical digital infrastructure—government networks, hospital networks, port systems and GPA operational technology—remains vulnerable to cascading failures if attacked.
Agi acknowledged an operational issue: loss of access to a secured room at OS/OCD, but said the loss has not impaired defensive capability because partnerships with Joint Region Marianas and the FBI continue to provide necessary information. On public‑warning improvements, she described ongoing work to implement wireless emergency alerts that would push notifications to cell phones islandwide and explained technical steps and coordination with telecommunications carriers required for the system.
Committee members sought details about how the public would be warned in the event of a major cyber attack or military incident; Agi said the Joint Information Center coordinates public messaging and that updated agency 'pace plans' (primary, secondary and emergency communications) are being exercised and revised. She agreed to provide written follow-up on specific plans and timelines.
