Cybersecurity
US and Netherlands seize network providers that helped hackers mask activities
The Justice Department and Dutch law enforcement shuttered 5socks and Anyproxy, services with Russian ties that sold proxies to cybercriminals. Lumen provided internet backbone data to the agencies.
House appropriators question justification for proposed CISA budget cuts
CISA’s $3 billion budget would see a $491 million cut from what it received in fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wanted more detail on the rationale.
Signal clone used by Waltz to archive messages suspends services after reported hack
Smarsh, the Oregon-based owner of TeleMessage, said Monday it was “investigating a potential security incident” and suspended its services out of an abundance of caution.
Federal cost cutting leads cyber contractors to rework ties with government
Federal agencies are trying to do more with less on cybersecurity spending as DOGE pursues spending reductions. Officials still insist that the private sector is needed to combat hackers.
Top NSC official wants to normalize offensive hacking as tool of US might
At the RSAC Conference, Alexei Bulazel said hacking back against adversaries could be the new norm for America’s cyber strategy. He signaled support for various federal cyber offices, but acknowledged they’d be geared in the direction of Trump-era goals.
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Democrats worry DOGE may have violated privacy, cybersecurity law in taking NLRB data
Last month, a whistleblower accused DOGE affiliates of using secretive methods to take sensitive data from the National Labor Relations Board.
FBI awaits signal that Salt Typhoon is fully excised from telecom firms, official says
FBI Deputy Director for Cyber Operations Brett Leatherman said that "there’s a lot of work focused on containment" when it comes to the Salt Typhoon hacks.
Salt Typhoon hacks ‘a wake up call’ to secure telecom services, lawmakers say
The Cyber Safety Review Board was in the middle of investigating the Salt Typhoon hacks when it was disbanded in January. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., said the board’s termination “leaves in limbo” the government’s probe into the breach.
Watchdog cites potential improvements for State’s cyber diplomacy office amid agency reorg
The Government Accountability Office noted that the reorganization of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy could remove it from the direct line to leadership it enjoyed while under the Deputy Secretary’s office.
‘Just wait’ to see how CISA reforms play out, DHS head tells cyber community
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to rework America’s core cyber defense agency amid GOP accusations of conservative censorship. Many in the cyber community have deemed the reductions a national security risk.
Salt Typhoon hacks to influence final round of DARPA’s AI-cyber competition
This summer, seven teams will compete to craft a best-case model that uses AI to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Recently discovered Chinese telecom hacks will help shape the final round, a top DARPA official said.
People should be ‘outraged’ by efforts to shrink federal cyber teams, former CISA head says
As adversaries like China continue targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, Chris Krebs says we should "make CISA great again" amid expected cuts mounting inside the cyber agency.
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Forthcoming NIST profile to address growing AI-cyber challenges
The Cyber AI Profile, currently in development, could help firms better prepare for hackers that use AI tools to enhance their cyberattacks, a top NIST official said at the RSAC Conference.
FBI asks public for tips about Salt Typhoon telecom hacks
Salt Typhoon accessed at least nine U.S. telecom firms and their systems that facilitate legal access requests for law enforcement.
Top intelligence lawmaker fears China may exploit DOGE’s changes to government
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., also called out the Trump administration on the recent firing of NSA Director Timothy Haugh, a move he viewed as “puzzling.”
CISA warns threat hunting staff of end to Google, Censys contracts as agency cuts set in
“We understand the importance of these tools in our operations and are actively exploring alternative tools to ensure minimal disruption,” said the email sent to several hundred CISA cyber threat hunters.
Chinese telcos provide backbone for US allies’ mobile traffic, raising espionage concerns
A report from iVerify and other researchers found that mobile networks in countries like Japan, South Korea and New Zealand route telecom traffic through Chinese state-backed infrastructure.
Former cyber official Chris Krebs to leave SentinelOne in bid to fight Trump pressure
“For those who know me, you know I don’t shy away from tough fights. But I also know this is one I need to take on fully — outside of SentinelOne,” Krebs said.
CISA extends MITRE-backed CVE contract hours before its lapse
“Last night, CISA executed the option period on the contract to ensure there will be no lapse in critical CVE services,” an agency spokesperson said.
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MITRE-backed cyber vulnerability program to lose funding Wednesday
Organizations across industry, government, national security and critical infrastructure rely on the CVE Program, which serves as the de-facto global standard for vulnerability identification and management.
