Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers move to ban DeepSeek’s AI from government devices
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., charged that China is using DeepSeek “to steal the sensitive data of U.S. citizens.”
People
Senate confirms Kristi Noem to head Trump’s DHS
Noem is likely to direct a reevaluation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s spending priorities, amid GOP accusations that the agency censored conservative views online.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions Chinese firm behind sweeping Salt Typhoon telecom hacks
The Treasury Department also sanctioned an individual involved in recent Chinese hacks into its own systems.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon breach was first detected on federal networks, CISA head says
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly said the group was first detected “before we understood it was Salt Typhoon.”
Cybersecurity
FBI deleted Chinese malware from 4,200 US computers
The malware’s command server appears to be based in Tokyo and was accessed by French authorities who helped craft the code needed to remove the infection.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
GAO mulls cost evaluation of nationwide telecom hardware replacement
One major vulnerability exploited by China’s Salt Typhoon hacking unit is a Cisco hardware flaw that can’t be patched and requires physical replacement, according to a person with knowledge of the intrusions.
Cybersecurity
US sanctions Chinese company that helped facilitate espionage hacks
Integrity Technology Group, known to researchers as Flax Typhoon, contracted with China’s Ministry of State Security to carry out infiltrations into internet of things devices, the FBI previously said.
Ideas
Is AI the missing piece for government agencies to achieve zero trust security?
Here are three factors to consider.
Cybersecurity
Chinese-sponsored hackers accessed Treasury documents in ‘major incident’
The incident comes in the final days of the Biden presidency and as officials work to root out China-tied hackers from U.S. telecommunications systems.
Cybersecurity
Major cyber news drops under the buzzer for 2024
A ninth U.S. telecommunications provider fell onto Salt Typhoon’s victim list, and the UN’s controversial cybercrime treaty was adopted.
Ideas
How federal agencies can combat identity-related cyber threats and unmask cybercriminals
COMMENTARY | Identity-related threats remain a big problem in government.
Ideas
Cybersecurity response: Not just an IT issue but an emergency preparedness priority
COMMENTARY | Government and private sector organizations have begun to recognize that physical and virtual assets must be protected from cyber threats in the same way as IT.
Cybersecurity
Hundreds of organizations were notified of potential Salt Typhoon compromise
Some of the exploited vulnerabilities have had fixes available for several years. One provider’s management system was protected with a basic numeric password.
Defense
Several Pentagon commands failed to keep good track of classified mobile devices, audit finds
The report comes amid an ongoing Chinese intrusion into U.S. telecom systems. Congress is also working to shore up device protections for servicemembers through the annual defense authorization bill.
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.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon attacks prompt talk of hacking back against China
In classified settings, lawmakers have often asked national security officials why American cyber forces don’t go on the attack more often, one senator said.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers targeted in encrypted messaging phishing scam
Officials have been urging Americans and federal staff to pivot to encrypted messaging services amid a recent Chinese breach into telecommunications networks.
Cybersecurity
FCC proposes updates to wiretap security standards following Chinese telecom hacks
Several lawmakers have called for the agency to reform wiretap standards governed by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, or CALEA.
Cybersecurity
At least 8 US carriers hit in Chinese telecom hacks, senior official says
The hacks carried out by the Salt Typhoon group impacted a couple dozen countries and may have been ongoing for one to two years, the official said.
Cybersecurity