Cybersecurity
China is using advanced ‘Brickstorm’ malware against government and IT orgs, US assesses
The malware was detected in the recently disclosed breach of F5, an application delivery and security provider.
Policy
Bill prioritizing American customers for AI chips not expected to make it into final NDAA, sources say
With the defense authorization bill being finalized this week, the chips-centric GAIN AI Act lost steam, according to sources familiar with the proceedings, but an amendment prohibiting U.S. investment in Chinese technology is expected to be included.
Defense
Foreign spies are targeting Army soldiers, civilians and families, official warns
Current and former federal workers, especially those with security clearances, should be aware of the attempts, an Army intelligence chief said in a November memo.
Artificial Intelligence
White House official, lawmaker call for amplifying US tech policy abroad
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and OSTP Director Michael Kratsios also advocated for a light-touch regulatory regime that has become a centerpiece of the Trump administration's tech approach.
Artificial Intelligence
US and Saudi Arabia commit to new AI agreement
The memorandum allows Saudi Arabia to have access to U.S. tech systems, according to a White House fact sheet.
Cybersecurity
AI has leveled the field between cybercriminals and nation-state hackers, FBI official says
The FBI is slower to adopt AI tools due to the sensitive nature of the data that it works with, Brett Leatherman, the FBI Cyber Division head, said.
Cybersecurity
China accuses NSA of multi-year hack targeting its national time systems
“NSA does not confirm nor deny allegations in the media regarding its operations,” an NSA official told Nextgov/FCW.
Cybersecurity
FCC initiates process to ban Hong Kong Telecom in US
The agency has previously barred China-linked communications providers from operating on American soil.
Cybersecurity
Inside America’s next information war
Washington is paring back its defenses against influence operations, even as adversaries supercharge them with AI. Much of the fight is shifting to the private sector.
Artificial Intelligence
AI export control bill passes Senate as NDAA amendment
The GAIN AI Act, which forces chip manufacturers to prioritize U.S.-based customers, made its way into the Senate’s final National Defense Authorization Act text.
Cybersecurity
CISA wants more international involvement in cyber vulnerability catalog, official says
Nick Andersen, the agency’s assistant executive director for cybersecurity, says the CVE project would benefit from a "more holistic look" with international partners.
Artificial Intelligence
US-UK tech partnership likely to be signed Thursday
President Donald Trump’s U.K. state visit will solidify the landmark tech deal that works to support both nations' technology innovation.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Suspected Chinese operation aims to recruit former feds with job postings, research shows
Researchers at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies uncovered a network of likely fraudulent China-linked websites operating as far back as 2021. One has very recently tried to recruit former federal workers and policy experts.
Emerging Tech
US risks losing space dominance to China without NASA support, experts say
Continuing the space agency’s programs “is a matter of national security,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said during a congressional hearing.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Report: Russia-based Yandex employee oversees open-source software approved for DOD use
The package is listed inside Platform One’s Iron Bank, a vetted Defense Department software repository, people familiar say.
Policy
US and EU agree to trade framework prioritizing secure chip sales
Adopting and maintaining U.S.-approved tech security requirements is a key term of agreement in the new trade framework, an EU official said.
Cybersecurity
UK ‘agreed to drop’ backdoor encryption demand for Apple, DNI says
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the United Kingdom has abandoned its effort to require that Apple provide its law enforcement and intelligence personnel with “blanket capability” to access customers’ encrypted files.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate Democrats decry Trump decision to allow advanced chip sales to China
Upper chamber lawmakers want answers from the Trump administration on the 15% fee Trump said NVIDIA and AMD must pay to be able to sell their more advanced products to a major U.S. adversary.
Cybersecurity
Researchers detail new ‘gray zone conflict’ in AI-driven Chinese propaganda
Documents from Chinese firm GoLaxy detail influence operations aligned with Beijing that run at unprecedented speed and precision. National security experts at Vanderbilt say these developments may forever redefine information warfare.
Cybersecurity