Cyber Defense
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.
US imposes AI skills requirement on CyberCorps pipeline
New guidance requires programs to ensure that incoming scholars will be able to demonstrate skills at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, a move that fast-tracks changes outlined in recent National Science Foundation policy.
OpenAI makes frontier model available to critical cyber defenders
The announcement of GPT-5.5-Cyber follows Anthropic’s debut of its own Mythos AI, which the company said has already uncovered thousands of cyber vulnerabilities.
Pentagon launches cyber apprenticeship program
The initiative is part of the administration’s focus on addressing technology and cybersecurity vacancies by placing an emphasis on skill-based hiring.
Microsoft to test third-party AI models for incorporation in its security offerings
The announcement follows Anthropic’s debut of its leading-edge Mythos model, which the company says has already found thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities.
Cyber Command carried out over 8,000 missions in 2025, director says
The command expects to exceed that number in 2026, Gen. Josh Rudd told lawmakers Tuesday. A new Pentagon cyber strategy is also on the way, according to senior cyber official Katie Sutton.
Expect more cybersecurity executive orders soon, national cyber director says
Sean Cairncross also said that his office and others in the administration are in touch with AI and tech companies following Anthropic’s Project Glasswing announcement.
OPM seeks cybersecurity talent to join Tech Force
"Through Tech Force, we’re recruiting highly skilled cybersecurity professionals to take on real challenges and strengthen the government’s defenses where it matters most,” OPM director Scott Kupor said in a statement.
FCC selects ioXt Alliance to lead cyber labeling program
The prior lead administrator withdrew from the Biden-era Cyber Trust Mark initiative after the launch of a Trump administration probe into its alleged China ties.
Data is a strategic asset and a strategic vulnerability
COMMENTARY | Treating data a strategic asset and defending it accordingly isn't simply a matter of technology policy; it's a fundamental component of national resilience.
US push to counter hackers draws industry deeper into offensive cyber debate
The White House is expanding the market for offensive cyber capabilities — and drawing more of the private sector into that ecosystem — even as policy boundaries around their use remain unclear.
EU wants to support bedrock cyber vulnerability program, top official says
U.S. congressional staffers are also working on legislation to give CISA more oversight of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program after a contracting incident last April.
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ODNI is building a framework to boost spy agencies’ AI adoption
A tech modernization push launched last year also included expanded threat hunting across IC networks, according to an official.
Ex-NSA leaders say Americans are becoming ‘numb’ to cyber threats
A serious cyberattack hasn’t prompted a strong enough policy or public reaction, one former director said.
National cyber director doesn’t envision industry doing offensive hacking
Sean Cairncross wants the private sector to use its technical prowess to inform U.S. government offensive and defensive decisions.
Trump’s new cyber strategy details more offensive response to cyber threats
“Unlike other Administrations, the Trump Administration will not tinker at the edges and apply partial measures and ambiguous strategies that neglect the growing number and severity of cyber threats,” the strategy said.
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Trump’s CISA nominee said he left Coast Guard to address GOP hold
Sean Plankey confirmed the intent to Nextgov/FCW and said he’s “prepared to lead the nation’s cyber defense agency to protect the federal civilian networks and our nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber attacks.”
Potential US-built hacking tools obtained by foreign spies and cybercriminals, research says
iVerify has described the activity as the “first known mass iOS attack” campaign of its kind. Google said fragments of the exploit first appeared last February, with ties to an unnamed “customer of a surveillance company.”
Why the convergence of AI and cybersecurity must be a top priority for the administration
COMMENTARY | Here’s what a strategy could look like.
US cyber responses will be ‘linked to adversary actions’ and involve industry coordination, official says
That dynamic will be outlined in a national cyber strategy, which will be released “soon,” said ONCD’s Alexandra Seymour.
