Cybersecurity
Domestic surveillance fears loom over Congress debate to renew spying power
Lawmakers’ concerns about immigration enforcement and Fourth Amendment compliance are weighing on the reauthorization fight for Section 702 of FISA, even as the FBI privately warns against letting the foreign spying law lapse.
Senator says AT&T and Verizon blocked release of Salt Typhoon security reports
“AT&T and Verizon apparently intervened” to block a major cyber intelligence firm from sending documentation about the telecom hackers, Sen. Maria Cantwell wrote in a letter.
AI info-sharing center is in development, CISA official says
CISA’s Nick Andersen told reporters that he didn’t know of a completion timeline, but talks were ongoing across government and industry.
White House cyber shop is crafting AI security policy framework, top official says
ONCD chief Sean Cairncross also said a bedrock National Cyber Strategy, initially expected last month, is coming “sooner rather than later” without specifying a date.
Key cyber statutes at risk again as Congress works to avert shutdown
One measure allows the private sector to provide threat data to government agencies with key legal protections in place.
NIST releases a new draft cybersecurity framework for systems that never stop moving
Sometimes the most important cybersecurity work is not flashy.
US developed ‘non-kinetic’ cell ahead of Venezuela mission to push cyber operations
Officials said that cyber capabilities are expected to play a central role in future U.S. military undertakings.
OMB reverses Biden-era software attestation order
A new executive branch memorandum instead allows agencies to lean on software bills of materials, or SBOMs, in lieu of a universal attestation framework.
CISA to cease participation at RSAC conference after Biden-era cyber leader named CEO
The decision, which has been in motion over the last week, highlights the Trump administration’s push to strictly control how current officials participate in industry events linked to former senior leaders now under White House scrutiny.
Democrats press CISA’s acting chief over major staffing cuts
Madhu Gottumukkala also faced questions about a reported failed polygraph exam and attempts to reassign the agency’s chief information officer.
Lawmaker worries NSF program loophole enables Chinese institutions to access US-backed computing resources
Chinese entities are able to access a stockpile of high-performance computing tools funded by the U.S. government, creating potential technology transfer risks, Rep. John Moolenaar said in a letter sent this week.
Experts press for large‑scale US offensive cyber operations at House hearing
The U.S. will be “hamstrung” until it fully integrates cyber and computer network matters into its military doctrine, the head of the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure said.
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Chinese hackers targeted email systems of US congressional staff, people familiar say
The incident adds another chapter in a storied history of China’s cyber attempts to nab sensitive data from U.S. government systems.
EEOC experienced security incident involving contractor’s ‘unauthorized’ access, email says
The agency at the center of the Trump administration’s efforts to overhaul U.S. anti-discrimination regulations in workplaces is reviewing the matter with law enforcement.
Analysts watch for heightened cyber, disinformation campaigns following Venezuela raid
Disinformation operations have been spotted, but there are no signs the efforts are being coordinated through a foreign government, one observer told Nextgov/FCW.
UL Solutions withdraws as lead admin for FCC cyber label program amid probe into China ties
It’s not immediately clear who would administer the program, which was launched under Biden to help designate cyber-secure consumer electronic devices.
Cyber experts pinpoint what to look out for in 2026
Expect significant innovations in AI-driven cyber tools and a closer convergence between cybersecurity and geopolitics, they said.
Senate adjourns without confirming CISA director
Sean Plankey’s nomination faltered as lawmakers ran out the clock after a tumultuous year of workforce reductions. The cyberdefense agency enters the new year without a permanent leader as the White House finalizes a sweeping national cyber strategy.
Sen. Cotton urges top White House cyber official to protect open-source software
A letter from the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee cites previous Nextgov/FCW reporting about a potential Russian backdoor into a Defense Department software suite.
Potential NSA, Cyber Command leader nomination transmitted to Senate
The signals intelligence titan and combatant command have been without a permanent leader for months since far-right activist Laura Loomer pushed for the firing of Gen. Timothy Haugh in April.
