Cybersecurity

New ‘Water Watch Center’ launched to help small utilities stop cyberattacks

The initiative comes as multiple states grapple with intrusions into their water systems that some officials suspect could be tied to Iran.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

CISA still finds water system controls exposed online amid multistate hacks

The agency is working with the FBI to help victims but is not attributing the cyber intrusions to any group, acting director Nick Andersen told Nextgov/FCW.

Cybersecurity

Cyber industry coalition urges federal action after suspected Iran-linked water hacks

The group called on CISA to impose baseline security standards across federal operational technology systems and pressed Congress to revive several stalled cyber initiatives.

Cybersecurity

CISA urges water utilities to take exposed systems down after Minnesota hacks

A memo distributed to water industry members and obtained by Nextgov/FCW makes mention of Iran but does not directly present evidence attributing the latest Minnesota incident to the country.

Artificial Intelligence

Trump memo pushes national security agencies to move faster on AI

The directive calls for deeper partnerships with AI companies while directing agencies to guard frontier models and the data centers that power them from foreign adversaries.

Cybersecurity

CISA unveils CI Fortify to help secure critical infrastructure during conflicts

For years, U.S. officials have assessed that China is infiltrating non-military critical infrastructure to enable sabotage during a major conflict involving Taiwan.

Cybersecurity

Pro-Iran hackers are targeting US industrial control systems, advisory says

This latest cyber assessment released during the war with Iran mirrors similar cyber intrusions made by an Iran-aligned group that targeted Pennsylvania water systems in late 2023.

Ideas

The hidden infrastructure challenge of the Genesis Mission

COMMENTARY | AI ambition without infrastructure alignment is just aspiration.

Cybersecurity

Iran-linked hacktivists could target governments, experts warn

State and local governments and some crucial technology infrastructure are among the key retaliatory targets as hostilities escalate in the Middle East.

Cybersecurity

DARPA unveils winners of AI challenge to boost critical infrastructure cybersecurity

The AI Cyber Challenge aims to accelerate the distribution of open-source AI models to help patch the code that powers major infrastructure like water treatment plans and power grids. Four of the open-source models have already been made available for use.

Cybersecurity

Basic cybersecurity lapses are leaving US infrastructure exposed, top experts warn

To make U.S. networks more “toxic” to adversaries, “we need to have an ability for authentication to have some meaning,” former NSA director Gen. Paul Nakasone said.

Cybersecurity

Operational tech is ‘underprioritized’ in cyberdefense, experts tell Congress

Witnesses' calls for better investment in securing such systems come just two months before a key cybersecurity information-sharing law is set to expire.

Cybersecurity

Report: Iranian hackers are trying to create a psychological war in cyberspace

The Iran-linked CyberAv3ngers gang has evolved itself into a digital propaganda machine by combining recycled data leaks and theatrics to manufacture panic about hacks that never happened.

Cybersecurity

Cyber firms sunset free services meant to counter Russia-linked hacking threats

The 2022 initiative by Cloudflare, CrowdStrike and Ping Identity provided cybersecurity support to critical infrastructure sectors seen as potential targets of Russia-linked attacks.

Cybersecurity

‘I do not have confidence’ that US infrastructure is cyber-secure, former NSC official says

At the AI Expo for National Competitiveness, Anne Neuberger told audiences that artificial intelligence tools are an enhancement opportunity for U.S. cyber defenses and intelligence collection.

Cybersecurity

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.

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

CISA issues updated draft of national cyber incident response plan

The NCIRP was first released in 2016. The updates include pathways for non-federal groups to get involved in responding to devastating cyberattacks.

Artificial Intelligence

DHS releases guidance for AI in critical infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security worked with its diverse AI Safety and Security Board to develop a holistic approach for securing critical infrastructure that leverages AI technologies.