Author Archive
Digital Government
Legislative watchdog rebuffs DOGE efforts to install on-site team
“DOGE’s attempted intrusion into an independent, nonpartisan legislative branch agency is a direct assault on our nation’s sacred separation of powers,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee.
Cybersecurity
Industry reps urge Congress to renew backbone cyber information-sharing law
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015, a keystone ordinance that lets the private sector share cyber threat information with legal safeguards, expires in September unless renewed by Congress.
People
NSA cyber chief to retire at end of month, people familiar say
Dave Luber’s planned retirement comes as the intelligence community has already undergone several workforce changes under the Trump administration.
Cybersecurity
US spy chief fires heads of intelligence body that disputed Trump’s Venezuela gang claims
The National Intelligence Council assessment undercuts claims from President Donald Trump that Tren de Aragua is carrying out an “invasion” overseen by Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.
Cybersecurity
Intel agencies doubled use of US person-tied search terms under disputed spying power last year
The number of U.S. person-linked search terms used by spy agencies under Section 702 of FISA skyrocketed last year. But direct FBI queries of U.S. persons decreased as reforms came into place.
Cybersecurity
US and Netherlands seize network providers that helped hackers mask activities
The Justice Department and Dutch law enforcement shuttered 5socks and Anyproxy, services with Russian ties that sold proxies to cybercriminals. Lumen provided internet backbone data to the agencies.
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People
State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block
There were bipartisan concerns from lawmakers about a planned break-up of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, according to meeting notes. Office eliminations are expected by June 2.
Cybersecurity
House appropriators question justification for proposed CISA budget cuts
CISA’s $3 billion budget would see a $491 million cut from what it received in fiscal year 2025. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wanted more detail on the rationale.
People
IRS reverses staffing gains made under Biden
The tax agency has shed over 20,000 employees through the deferred resignation program, and more significant cuts are still expected.
People
Kirsten Davies tapped to be DOD CIO
Davies has a largely private sector background and would be expected to take the place of Katie Arrington, who is currently acting DOD CIO.
Cybersecurity
Signal clone used by Waltz to archive messages suspends services after reported hack
Smarsh, the Oregon-based owner of TeleMessage, said Monday it was “investigating a potential security incident” and suspended its services out of an abundance of caution.
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Cybersecurity
Federal cost cutting leads cyber contractors to rework ties with government
Federal agencies are trying to do more with less on cybersecurity spending as DOGE pursues spending reductions. Officials still insist that the private sector is needed to combat hackers.
Cybersecurity
Top NSC official wants to normalize offensive hacking as tool of US might
At the RSAC Conference, Alexei Bulazel said hacking back against adversaries could be the new norm for America’s cyber strategy. He signaled support for various federal cyber offices, but acknowledged they’d be geared in the direction of Trump-era goals.
Cybersecurity
FBI awaits signal that Salt Typhoon is fully excised from telecom firms, official says
FBI Deputy Director for Cyber Operations Brett Leatherman said that "there’s a lot of work focused on containment" when it comes to the Salt Typhoon hacks.
Cybersecurity
‘Just wait’ to see how CISA reforms play out, DHS head tells cyber community
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to rework America’s core cyber defense agency amid GOP accusations of conservative censorship. Many in the cyber community have deemed the reductions a national security risk.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hacks to influence final round of DARPA’s AI-cyber competition
This summer, seven teams will compete to craft a best-case model that uses AI to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Recently discovered Chinese telecom hacks will help shape the final round, a top DARPA official said.
Cybersecurity
People should be ‘outraged’ by efforts to shrink federal cyber teams, former CISA head says
As adversaries like China continue targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, Chris Krebs says we should "make CISA great again" amid expected cuts mounting inside the cyber agency.
Cybersecurity
Forthcoming NIST profile to address growing AI-cyber challenges
The Cyber AI Profile, currently in development, could help firms better prepare for hackers that use AI tools to enhance their cyberattacks, a top NIST official said at the RSAC Conference.
Policy
Justice Dept. rescinds rules safeguarding media from government seizures
The rules, first issued under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, gave members of the press protections from legal mechanisms to obtain sensitive data linked to their reporting.
People
South Dakota CIO to become deputy director at CISA
Madhu Gottumukkala will take over a position that has remained vacant since Nitin Natarajan departed the agency in January.
