Homeland Security to Help with Super Bowl Security Despite Shutdown

Homeland Security to Help with Super Bowl Security Despite Shutdown

"The current lapse in government funding will have no effect on our commitment to assuring a safe and secure event," DHS press secretary Tyler Q. Houlton said.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Jan 24, 2019

Despite the partial government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday it will still provide security support for this year’s Super Bowl. Super Bowl LIII will be held on Feb. 3, 2019, at Atlanta’s Mercedez-Benz Stadium.

According to federal and local officials, the Super Bowl requires the support of more than 40 federal, local and state agencies, particularly support at the federal level. Officials said the security plans will be led by the Atlanta Police Department and Department of Homeland Security.

DHS and other federal agencies will continue with Super Bowl plans despite the shutdown, DHS press secretary Tyler Q. Houlton told CNN.

"The Department takes the security of special events like the Super Bowl extremely seriously, and we continue executing our protection responsibility and supporting our local public safety partners for this event. The current lapse in government funding will have no effect on our commitment to assuring a safe and secure event," Houlton said in a statement.

Any federal officials working on Super Bowl plans have been deemed essential and will not receive pay until the government is reopened.

Multiple agencies are involved in securing the event, including the FBI, the Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the George Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia World Congress Center Authority Police, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Atlanta Fire Rescue and Grady EMS.

Atlanta police spokesman Carlos Campos told CNN, "We are not disclosing numbers, except to say every Atlanta police officer will be on duty, working 12-hour shifts from January 26 to February 5.”

The Super Bowl is classified as a “SEAR 1” event, an extremely high security rating from the federal government. SEAR 1 events “may require the full support of the United States Government,” according to Coast Guard guidance. The game received the same designation last year.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services

  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

  • Report: Nearly 1 in 5 Healthcare Leaders Say Cyberattacks Have Impacted Patient Care

    Omega Systems, a provider of managed IT and security services, today released new research that reveals the growing impact of cybersecurity challenges on leading healthcare organizations and patient safety. According to the 2025 Healthcare IT Landscape Report, 19% of healthcare leaders say a cyberattack has already disrupted patient care, and more than half (52%) believe a fatal cyber-related incident is inevitable within the next five years. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.