Author Archive

David DiMolfetta

Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

David DiMolfetta
David DiMolfetta covers cybersecurity for Nextgov/FCW. Previously, he researched The Cybersecurity 202 and The Technology 202 newsletters at The Washington Post and covered AI, cybersecurity and technology policy for S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a BBA from The George Washington University and an MS from Georgetown University. Get in touch with him on X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta . If you have a tip you'd like to share, David can be securely contacted at djd.99 on Signal.
Cybersecurity

Planned NDAA amendment would codify CISA’s role in cyber vulnerability program

The measure, expected as a proposed add-on to the government’s 2027 defense package, targets a bedrock cybersecurity vulnerability-tracking system after a contracting fiasco last year.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

CISA now has full Mythos Preview access, people familiar say

The cyberdefense agency received access around a week ago, but the White House has not yet set clear parameters for how the agency should use the model.

People

Intelligence director hearing cancelled as Trump pushes for controversial voter bill

The development guarantees that Bill Pulte — whose selection to temporarily lead the office derailed a recent FISA vote — would start as acting national intelligence director on Friday.

Cybersecurity

US officials see Iran cyber threat persisting despite preliminary deal

Officials’ views reflect a recurring concern that cyber operations would continue regardless of conflict status, even as the Trump administration pursues a diplomatic off-ramp with Tehran.

Defense

US counterintelligence agency looks to AI to accelerate background checks

A Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency official says advanced AI can cut parts of the vetting process from months to hours.

Cybersecurity

Warner presses CISA on whether staff cuts weakened regional cyber support

The Senate Intelligence Committee’s top Democrat is asking the cyber agency for workforce charts, vacancy details and service data as state and local support comes under strain.

Artificial Intelligence

Anthropic suspends top AI models after U.S. export control order

The company said it would disable Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all customers after the government imposed export controls on those products, citing national security concerns.

Policy

A key spying power will sunset on Friday — here’s why

A months-long standoff over privacy and the future of the nation’s top spy office has pushed a cornerstone surveillance law to the brink.

People

CISA sees leadership shakeup after infrastructure security chief moves to ONCD

The personnel moves come as CISA prepares to hire hundreds of new employees following a year of layoffs, buyouts and internal restructuring.

Policy

House vote puts Section 702 on brink of historic lapse amid fight over acting spy chief

Trump’s plan to nominate Jay Clayton as permanent top spy may ease Democrats’ concerns, but lawmakers remain at odds over whether Bill Pulte will lead the intelligence community during the transition.

Cybersecurity

US seizes alleged China-linked sites targeting security clearance holders

Prosecutors said the domains posed as legitimate consulting companies to recruit current and former U.S. officials into sharing sensitive government information for payment.

Cybersecurity

CISA directive revamps how agencies prioritize vulnerable systems

The move is part of CISA’s response “to the current threat landscape where AI software services can assist threat actors to find and exploit vulnerabilities,” the agency says.

Exclusive Artificial Intelligence

Lack of White House guidance has complicated agency Mythos adoption, people familiar say

Agency tech leaders say they don’t have clear direction from the White House on how to access and implement Anthropic’s cyber-focused AI model for their networks.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

Warner proposes overhaul of critical infrastructure cyber plans as AI threats rise

The measure would require CISA to refresh long-outdated sector cybersecurity plans as lawmakers warn that advanced AI tools could accelerate the discovery and exploitation of software flaws.

Cybersecurity

New CISA directive would reshape how agencies prioritize cyber risk, official says

The forthcoming mandate aims to triage vulnerabilities by real-world consequences of a successful cyberattack, marking a major shift in how the government decides which cyber risks demand attention first.

Artificial Intelligence

Trump memo pushes national security agencies to move faster on AI

The directive calls for deeper partnerships with AI companies while directing agencies to guard frontier models and the data centers that power them from foreign adversaries.

Cybersecurity

Warner unveils bill to restore cyber information-sharing program funding

The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee also sent letters to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and to every governor urging them to support state and local cyberdefense.

Cybersecurity

New coalition will enter legal debate over industry’s role in government cyber missions

Its formation occurs amid a broader discussion over whether existing laws are suited for cyber activities that increasingly depend on cooperation between the government and private sector.

People

Trump to soon nominate CISA head, DHS secretary says

Markwayne Mullin said a nominee to lead the cyber agency is coming soon, even as questions remain over whether an IBM security executive remains a leading candidate.

People

Pulte appointment threatens fragile spy powers deal

Senate Democrats are warning that Trump’s move to install the FHFA director at the head of the nation’s top intel office could make it harder to pass an extension for Section 702 of FISA.