The $20 million prototype of the Department of Homeland Security's "virtual" border fence, built by Boeing, has been scrapped just two months after DHS chief Michael Chertoff approved it.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today a final rule establishing minimum security standards for state-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards. The rule sets uniform standards that enhance the integrity and reliability of drivers’ licenses and identification cards, strengthen issuance capabilities, and increase security at drivers’ license and identification card production facilities. The final rule also dramatically reduces state implementation costs by roughly 73 percent.

In March 2007 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed a new Real ID plan aiming to increase security and prevent fraud. Now Homeland Security plans to take the next step in getting its controversial Real ID plan off the ground, despite opposition. The press conference discussing Real ID is scheduled this afternoon.

Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) announced today that it has been awarded a task order to provide technical and process support services for the Information and Customer Service Division (ICSD) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).