Cybersecurity

Pro-Iran hackers claim breach of FBI director’s email

The leaks appear to be authentic, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Cybersecurity

EU wants to support bedrock cyber vulnerability program, top official says

U.S. congressional staffers are also working on legislation to give CISA more oversight of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program after a contracting incident last April.

Cybersecurity

European officials highlight private sector help in major cybercrime takedowns

Industry helped European law enforcement groups in operations that tracked and dismantled assets tied to major cybercrime gangs like Scattered Spider.

Cybersecurity

Ex-NSA leaders say Americans are becoming ‘numb’ to cyber threats

A serious cyberattack hasn’t prompted a strong enough policy or public reaction, one former director said.

Exclusive People

New NSA director pushes for more intel-sharing with allies in internal meeting

Gen. Josh Rudd also told members of NSA and Cyber Command that the organizations should still focus on major cyber adversaries like Russia and China, despite the Trump administration’s emphasis on the southern border.

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

CISA launches investigation into Stryker cyberattack

The hack arguably represents the most significant cyber incident linked to the recent Iran war.

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.