Artificial Intelligence
Lawmaker calls for GAO review of threat actors weaponizing AI
In a letter to the federal watchdog, Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, warned that “the nature and scope of the challenges associated with countering these AI-enabled threats are not well understood.”
People
Counterterrorism center head resigns over Iran war
Joe Kent said Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and he could not support the ongoing war.
Cybersecurity
Stryker hack could set stage for more pro-Iran cyber sabotage
A top lawmaker said his team is in touch with the company.
Cybersecurity
CISA launches investigation into Stryker cyberattack
The hack arguably represents the most significant cyber incident linked to the recent Iran war.
Cybersecurity
Russia-linked hackers appear on Iran war’s cyber front, but their impact is murky
Some experts question the significance of pro-Russia “hacktivist” groups.
Cybersecurity
How Cyber Command contributed to Operation Epic Fury against Iran
The digital combatant command was among the “first movers” in the operation against Iran, Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine said.
Cybersecurity
Intelligence firms watch for uptick in Iran cyber activity after US, Israel strikes
Analysts say organizations should remain vigilant, though early indications show Iran-linked hackers have overstated their success.
Cybersecurity
Hackers are exploiting exposed Cisco products, Five Eyes intelligence agencies say
A Cisco threat intelligence report calls the cyberintruders “highly sophisticated” but stops short of naming any affiliation with a foreign nation.
Cybersecurity
Treasury sanctions Russian firm said to have stolen and sold US cyber tools
The sanctions coincide with an FBI investigation into Peter Williams, a former employee of U.S. defense contractor L3Harris who pleaded guilty to selling cyber exploits to a Russian entity.
Cybersecurity
Chinese telecom hackers likely holding stolen data ‘in perpetuity’ for later attempts, FBI official says
“I think it’s important to say we do not know exactly what the [People’s Republic of China] intends to do with a lot of this information,” said FBI cyber official Michael Machtinger.
Cybersecurity
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.
People
Now accepting applications — for classified intel
Foreign adversaries are using fake jobs and consulting gigs to coax secrets from former U.S. officials. It’s had results, and the efforts don’t appear to be slowing.
Digital Government
US withdraws from the Open Government Partnership — which it helped create
“Anyone who has followed developments over the last year will not be surprised by this decision of the U.S. government,” the CEO of the multilateral global initiative said in a statement.
Cybersecurity
US developed ‘non-kinetic’ cell ahead of Venezuela mission to push cyber operations
Officials said that cyber capabilities are expected to play a central role in future U.S. military undertakings.
People
Suspected Chinese spies targeted former State official for Venezuela research
The recruitment scheme involved a sham company previously reported by Nextgov/FCW that has sought out former U.S. federal employees through fake websites and job postings.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump policies are helping ensure the US leads in global AI revolution, White House economic advisers argue
A new report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers highlights several metrics that could forecast AI’s impact on the economy, and advocates for President Donald Trump’s AI policy stances as important to American success.
Cybersecurity
Lawmaker worries NSF program loophole enables Chinese institutions to access US-backed computing resources
Chinese entities are able to access a stockpile of high-performance computing tools funded by the U.S. government, creating potential technology transfer risks, Rep. John Moolenaar said in a letter sent this week.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers worry over new rule that will allow sales of Nvidia’s H200 chips to China
A revised licensing review policy will allow Chinese firms to purchase Nvidia’s H200 chips, although some members of Congress say the move will embolden Beijing’s own AI ambitions.
People
Experts see NSA nominee’s Pacific experience as a boost to US cyber posture on China
Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd currently serves as deputy commander of Indo-Pacific Command.
Cybersecurity