People
Intelligence agency employee arrested for trying to share classified info with foreign government
Nathan Vilas Laatsch was allegedly disgruntled by the Trump administration and willing to share sensitive data with the foreign country. The FBI set up a dead drop operation to intercept the classified materials.
Cybersecurity
US spy chief fires heads of intelligence body that disputed Trump’s Venezuela gang claims
The National Intelligence Council assessment undercuts claims from President Donald Trump that Tren de Aragua is carrying out an “invasion” overseen by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
Cybersecurity
Intel agencies doubled use of US person-tied search terms under disputed spying power last year
The number of U.S. person-linked search terms used by spy agencies under Section 702 of FISA skyrocketed last year. But direct FBI queries of U.S. persons decreased as reforms came into place.
Cybersecurity
China is trying to recruit current and former feds, intelligence document warns
The notice is one of the first public acknowledgements from the U.S. intelligence community showing how adversaries are leveraging DOGE-led layoffs to target the government.
Defense
Intelligence officials remain defensive on Signal debate
House testimony followed release of full group-chat transcript — including attack times and weapons.
Cybersecurity
US spy chief probing classified chat rooms to pursue leakers
Tulsi Gabbard said recent examples of unauthorized leaks involve data about Iran, Israel, U.S.-Russia relations and activities in ODNI’s counterintelligence office.
Cybersecurity
Elon Musk paid a visit to NSA, Cyber Command amid DOGE-led overhauls
Musk’s trip to the signals intelligence office and combatant command is the first recorded instance of him visiting an intelligence agency since President Trump assumed office.
Ideas
Agentic AI adoption is a top priority for defense and intelligence leaders. Here’s why
The integration of AI agents will become increasingly critical across the national security space.
People
CIA is terminating some probationary employees
Recent U.S. intelligence has signaled that foreign adversaries are increasing efforts to recruit disgruntled federal employees in sensitive national security roles.
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.
Defense
Weeks after CISO announcement, Katie Arrington moves into DOD CIO role
A defense official said that Arrington, who was previously accused of disclosing classified data, does not concurrently have the role of DOD CISO.
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.
Policy
DIA, NGA among growing number of intel agencies offering buyouts
The intelligence community workforce has been given an offer to leave their jobs early in exchange for pay until September, similar to a proposal extended to civilian agencies.
Cybersecurity
Trump’s anti-DEI efforts damage national security, former officials say
The rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives weakens intelligence operations, erodes workforce morale and limits the U.S. government’s ability to navigate global threats, former national security officials argue.
Acquisition
A decade-old risk led to ‘phenomenal partnership’ between AWS and the intel community
The move to bring highly classified systems to the cloud was uncharted territory for both the company and the CIA.
People
Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return
Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.
Cybersecurity
Fed, intel and military groups warn data broker practices may threaten national security
The groups wrote a letter concerning a CFPB rule, which is still in development, that would require certain data brokers to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Breaking News
Acquisition
US charges 6 for conspiring to defraud agencies through IT contracting schemes
The charges are the first in an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into “IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers” that sell to the government.
Artificial Intelligence
Biden signs first national security memorandum focused on AI
The document aims to balance artificial intelligence innovation and adoption with protections for privacy and civil liberties.
Acquisition