Cybersecurity

Cyberspace Solarium Commission turns five years old

The commission has largely influenced cybersecurity policymaking in Congress through the first half of the decade.

Cybersecurity

Republicans urge Trump admin to launch offensive cyber operations against China

The letter cites high-profile Chinese intrusions into U.S. systems that have made headlines in recent months. Trump’s national security officials have expressed a desire to engage in offensive cyber ops against adversaries.

Cybersecurity

Top House cyber lawmaker to press DHS on key infrastructure group’s shutdown

Industry representatives say the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council has been a valuable information-sharing tool. It was disbanded last week under an order from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Cybersecurity

OPM watchdog to investigate IT risks tied to DOGE’s agency access

The agency’s deputy inspector general began “an engagement to assess risks associated with new and modified information systems at OPM,” a letter to lawmakers says.

Cybersecurity

Civil liberties groups urge spy chief to declassify parts of contested surveillance program

Tulsi Gabbard’s views on the Section 702 program have run atypical to those of past spy chiefs, but it’s not clear what declassification authorities she immediately has.

Cybersecurity

Former intelligence officials denounce job cuts to federal cyber roles

In testimony before a House panel, they said the moves — which have largely affected the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — are harmful to national security.

Cybersecurity

US charges 12 Chinese nationals for hacks into government systems

Some of the people have ties to i-Soon, the Chinese tech firm whose hacking-for-hire activities were exposed in a leak last year. Others are linked to Silk Typhoon, a hacking unit that recently breached the Treasury Department.

Cybersecurity

Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that new U.S. foreign policy configurations “largely coincides with our vision.”

Cybersecurity

IBM contract for overseas cyber assistance canned amid USAID shutdown

The foreign aid agency — a prime target of President Donald Trump’s agenda to eliminate perceived government waste — declared cybersecurity an economic development issue in 2021.

Cybersecurity

US spy chief directs legal review of UK’s Apple backdoor demand

Tulsi Gabbard called the order, which demands Apple permit the United Kingdom backdoor access into global users’ iCloud backups, a “clear and egregious” violation of Americans’ privacy.

Cybersecurity

Democrats open investigation into DOGE access to national security information

Multiple media reports have indicated DOGE has accessed classified or highly sensitive data across the government.

Cybersecurity

DOJ watchdog to review FBI data retrieval uses under contested spying authority

The audit came from Congress as part of a law that reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Cybersecurity

Salt Typhoon hackers exploited stolen credentials and a 7-year-old software flaw in Cisco systems

The Chinese hacking collective has widely leveraged vulnerabilities in communications infrastructure to breach dozens of telecom providers in the U.S. and overseas.

Cybersecurity

DOGE employee Edward Coristine lands at CISA with DHS email

A handle dubbed “Rivage” was reportedly tied to Coristine, and used to discuss and solicit hacking activities with a cybercrime syndicate known as The Com.

Cybersecurity

Lawmaker looks to strengthen security of U.S. communications following UK’s Apple backdoor order

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a discussion draft of a measure to reform the CLOUD Act after the UK ordered Apple to build a backdoor into encrypted iCloud backups.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers ask DNI to reassess UK cyber, intel ties over Apple backdoor mandate

The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was reportedly invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.

Cybersecurity

FBI notified over 4,300 victims of ‘pig butchering’ crypto scams in past year

After victims are tricked into buying crypto, they are shown fake online accounts with fictitious returns while the stolen funds are moved offshore, an FBI official said.

Cybersecurity

Salt Typhoon hackers possibly targeted telecom research at US universities

Recorded Future’s latest findings shed light on how widespread the Salt Typhoon campaign has become since it was uncovered last year.

Cybersecurity

Trump to nominate former RNC official to be national cyber director

It’s not clear how Sean Cairncross would address ongoing ONCD efforts, as the Trump administration has sought to refocus certain cyber priorities in the federal government.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard workforce lacks maritime cyber expertise, watchdog says

The maritime service says it will develop “competency requirements” for relevant personnel by the end of December. It’s also planning new procedures to document maritime cyber incidents.