diff --git a/.github/workflows/security.yml b/.github/workflows/security.yml
index 2cbab2ad..6df2cd94 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/security.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/security.yml
@@ -59,6 +59,24 @@ jobs:
       run: cargo audit
       working-directory: contracts
 
+    - name: Setup Rust toolchain for contract audit
+      uses: dtolnay/rust-toolchain@stable
+
+    - name: Cache cargo-audit
+      id: cargo-audit-cache
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        path: ~/.cargo/bin/cargo-audit
+        key: cargo-audit-${{ runner.os }}-0.22.0
+
+    - name: Install cargo-audit
+      if: steps.cargo-audit-cache.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      run: cargo install cargo-audit --version 0.22.0 --locked
+
+    - name: Check for known vulnerabilities in smart contracts (cargo audit)
+      run: cargo audit
+      working-directory: contracts
+
     - name: Verify security setup
       run: npm run verify-security
 
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/NotificationDropdown.tsx b/frontend/src/components/NotificationDropdown.tsx
index e37d3f85..be7c7494 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/NotificationDropdown.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/NotificationDropdown.tsx
@@ -170,6 +170,13 @@ export const NotificationDropdown: React.FC<NotificationDropdownProps> = ({ publ
 
     return (
         <div className="relative" ref={containerRef}>
+<span
+    aria-live="polite"
+    aria-busy="false"
+    className="sr-only"
+>
+    {unreadCount} new notifications
+</span>
             <button
                 onClick={handleDropdownOpen}
                 aria-label={`Notifications${unreadCount > 0 ? `, ${unreadCount} unread` : ""}`}
@@ -184,7 +191,7 @@ export const NotificationDropdown: React.FC<NotificationDropdownProps> = ({ publ
                         strokeLinejoin="round"
                         strokeWidth="2"
                         d="M15 17h5l-1.405-1.405A2.032 2.032 0 0118 14.158V11a6.002 6.002 0 00-4-5.659V5a2 2 0 10-4 0v.341C7.67 6.165 6 8.388 6 11v3.159c0 .538-.214 1.055-.595 1.436L4 17h5m6 0v1a3 3 0 11-6 0v-1m6 0H9"
-                    />
+                />
                 </svg>
 
                 {unreadCount > 0 && (