Defense
Industry groups push to keep open-source measures in annual intelligence bill
They’re backing provisions in the House version of the Intelligence Authorization Act. But multiple intelligence community elements are hesitant about the measures, people familiar say.
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.
Cybersecurity
DARPA unveils winners of AI challenge to boost critical infrastructure cybersecurity
The AI Cyber Challenge aims to accelerate the distribution of open-source AI models to help patch the code that powers major infrastructure like water treatment plans and power grids. Four of the open-source models have already been made available for use.
Cybersecurity
Foreign adversaries are trying to weaponize open-source software, report finds
Hacking units affiliated with nation-state adversaries are subtly contributing to open-source software tools and working to insert backdoors into publicly available code used by millions worldwide, new research says.
Artificial Intelligence
National AI Action plan should expand open-source offerings, respondents say
During the open comment period, a multitude of entities — from private sector to academic research bodies — touted the benefits of a robust open-source AI ecosystem.
Ideas
Strengthening open source: A roadmap to enhanced cybersecurity
COMMENTARY | Open-source software is a cornerstone of American innovation, underpinning critical infrastructure and driving economic growth.
Cybersecurity
Half of critical open source projects contain memory-unsafe code, U.S. cyber agency says
The findings come after recent hijacking attempts into major open-source tools.
Cybersecurity
New mailing list aims to share hacking attempts on open-source projects
The Siren email list allows members to share active exploitations of open-source projects, fueled by recent attempts to sabotage free-to-use software tooling
Artificial Intelligence
Feds beware: New studies demonstrate key AI shortcomings
Recent studies have started to show that there are serious downsides when it comes to such programs’ ability to produce secure code.
Cybersecurity
Hackers tried to breach, disable widely used open-source Java tools, groups warn
The alert comes just after a possible nation state entity attempted to hijack an open-source Linux tool last month.
Cybersecurity
Linux backdoor was a long con, possibly with nation-state support, experts say
If the XZ Utils vulnerability hadn’t been caught in time, hackers would have had a “skeleton key to the world,” one analyst told Nextgov/FCW.
Artificial Intelligence
NTIA explores the benefits and risks of open-weight AI models
A new request for information issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will inform regulatory policy on open-weight models.
Ideas
Taking open source risks seriously
COMMENTARY | Software bills of materials don't address what tech leaders should actually do to make sure open source components are safe to use.
Cybersecurity
CISA collaborative weighs in on open source software security
The public-private Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative called on the open source software community to further invest in the development of secure software, tools and technologies.
Defense
Army hopes big-data techniques can help secure its clouds
“Multifactor authentication will not be enough,” said the Army’s senior cyber leader.
Cybersecurity
White House looks to shore up open source software security
The Office of the National Cyber Director wants software providers to "contribute back to the security of the open source software they depend upon."
Defense
How the US is using open-source intel to track Russia's war in Ukraine
Analysts are moving beyond who-what-when-where to "really focusing on the why,” a senior defense intelligence official said.
Cybersecurity
House Panel Advances Bills to Boost CISA’s Oversight of Open Source Software, Cyber Training
The two measures, which passed the committee with bipartisan support, would give CISA authority across DHS and the federal government.
Digital Government
NSF Will Invest Up to $28M for STEM Open-Source Ecosystems
The agency is looking for proposals for two phases to translate open-source products into open-source ecosystems.
Modernization