Exclusive
Modernization
NSA’s secret Amazon-developed cloud environment progressing ‘very well’
The agency's $10 billion cloud program dubbed “WildandStormy" is benefiting from the intelligence community's dozen years of experience in commercial cloud, an AWS official said.
Digital Government
Russia’s influence operations aim to tip US election in favor of Donald Trump, intel official says
The assessment comes two days after the DOJ and others took steps to identify and blunt Russian influence operations.
Digital Government
NSA to debut podcast to boost public awareness of classified missions
The agency’s “No Such Podcast” series is launching soon. It will host experts across NSA to discuss its role in various intelligence missions.
Acquisition
US intelligence agencies eye closer partnerships with private sector
The efforts include a new partnership-focused office, engagement goals for employees and efforts to make information more accessible, a top intelligence official said Tuesday.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft, Palantir partner to expand AI offerings to defense and intelligence agencies
The new suite of offerings will be available on Microsoft’s Azure Government and Azure Government Secret and Top Secret clouds.
People
Lawmakers look to clarify electronic medical device use in secure facilities
A Senate bill would charge an “Electronic Medical Device Governance Board” with reviewing agencies’ policies regarding the use of digital healthcare instruments in highly-classified facilities.
Artificial Intelligence
The US intelligence community is embracing generative AI
Intelligence agencies are using generative AI for a variety of purposes, including content triage and assisting analysts.
Cybersecurity
Cyber, intel chiefs confident in election security but AI-manipulated content poses challenges
The threat environment is “more complex than ever,” said CISA director Jen Easterly.
Acquisition
Spy agencies must craft safeguards for using sensitive commercial data, ODNI says
The new framework follows a report last year that showed the intelligence community frequently relies on purchased sensitive information.
Cybersecurity
Critical infrastructure cyberattacks pushed NSA to unmask thousands of U.S. identities through spying law
The number of U.S. identity unmaskings NSA conducted in response to requests from other agencies through Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tripled in 2023 compared to the prior year.
Policy
Biden signs extension of controversial spying program into 2026
The Section 702 authorities were reauthorized without the addition of a warrant requirement to review the communications of Americans caught up in foreign surveillance.
Cybersecurity
House passes bill barring spy agencies, law enforcement from buying Americans’ personal data
The measure doesn’t have support from the Biden administration, which argues it threatens national security and worsens Americans’ privacy protections.
Policy
House advances spy power reauthorization bill without warrant measure
The bill — which represents a win for Biden administration policy objectives — will now be taken up in the Senate, with a week to go before the authority sunsets.
Acquisition
When can US spies buy your personal data? New guidelines are coming
Certain missions require government acquisition of personal information collected by data brokers, and appropriate safeguards need to be put in place, the official said at a Cyber Command-hosted event.
Acquisition
Google is now authorized to host classified data in the cloud
The security milestone puts Google in a position to compete for classified business at DOD and U.S. intelligence agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
The CIA is taking a ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach to GenAI
The approach may help the intelligence agency sprint ahead of adversaries in AI capabilities.
Cybersecurity
Government funding bill punts extension of controversial spying power
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expires April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress, and an 11th-hour funding bill crafted to avert a partial government shutdown doesn't address the matter.
Policy
Civil liberties groups urge Congress to keep 702 measures out of upcoming funding votes
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire on April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress.
Policy
Section 702 renewal could pass in funding bill, sources say
Backers of 702 reauthorization in the House Intelligence committee will likely use recent news of classified intelligence gathered using the surveillance power as a way to convince colleagues to support its renewal.
Cybersecurity