US upgrades security of federal buildings

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the Canadian parliament, the US has enhanced the security of its federal buildings across the country.
"The precise actions we are taking and the precise locations at which we will enhance security are law- enforcement sensitive, will vary and shift from location to location, and will be continually re-evaluated," said Jeh Johnson, the US Secretary for Homeland Security.
There are 9,500 federal facilities owned or leased by the General Services Administration, through which 1.4 million visitors and occupants pass daily.
"We are taking this action as a precautionary step, to safeguard US government personnel and facilities, and the visitors to those facilities," Johnson said.

"The reasons for this action are self-evident: the continued public calls by terrorist organisations for attacks on the homeland and elsewhere, including against law enforcement and other government officials, and the acts of violence targeted at government personnel and installations in Canada and elsewhere recently," he said.
"Given world events, prudence dictates a heightened vigilance in the protection of US government installations and our personnel," he said and urged state, local governments and their law enforcement personnel, along with critical infrastructure owners and operators, to be equally vigilant, particularly in guarding against potential small-scale attacks by a lone offender or a small group of individuals.

"Likewise, we continually urge the public at large to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to appropriate authorities," Johnson said.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul welcomed the move.
"ISIS is waging a campaign of war over the Internet to incite homegrown violent extremism in the United States. We must do everything we can to protect every American abroad and at home," he said.