Author Archive
Policy
DHS intelligence office restructuring would still keep it under ODNI oversight
A proposed FY27 overhaul would still leave DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis answerable to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, despite questions about its oversight.
Cybersecurity
US push to counter hackers draws industry deeper into offensive cyber debate
The White House is expanding the market for offensive cyber capabilities — and drawing more of the private sector into that ecosystem — even as policy boundaries around their use remain unclear.
Policy
Judge renews procedures for 702 surveillance program that could soon lapse
The program still requires reauthorization from Congress, and the judge notably took issue with how spy agencies use filtering tools to sift through raw data collected by the program.
Cybersecurity
Treasury debuts effort to share cyber threat intel with crypto firms
The move signals that Treasury is increasingly treating cryptocurrency firms as part of the nation’s core financial infrastructure, making them a prime target for hackers.
Artificial Intelligence
CIA plans for ‘AI coworkers’, deputy director says
The spy agency managed a few hundred AI projects last year, and recently used AI to generate an intelligence report for the first time, deputy director Michael Ellis said.
Cybersecurity
Anthropic’s Glasswing initiative raises questions for US cyber operations
Intelligence officials and industry are weighing how Claude Mythos Preview could reshape hacking and cyberdefense. The company has also briefed senior officials on the AI model it says has already uncovered thousands of cyber vulnerabilities.
Policy
Former national security officials urge Congress to renew Section 702 before expiration
The surveillance program lapses April 19 unless renewed by Congress. The Trump administration is asking for a clean, 18-month extension.
Cybersecurity
Pro-Iran hackers are targeting US industrial control systems, advisory says
This latest cyber assessment released during the war with Iran mirrors similar cyber intrusions made by an Iran-aligned group that targeted Pennsylvania water systems in late 2023.
Cybersecurity
Trump proposes cutting CISA election security program in FY27 budget
The move is part of $700 million in proposed program cuts, resulting in a net funding reduction of about $360 million. The budget also projects eliminating some 860 positions.
Cybersecurity
Government official impersonation scam complaints doubled in 2025, FBI report shows
The scams, some of which were fueled by AI, can be especially effective because they exploit the built-in authority and urgency people associate with institutions.
Defense
CIA deception campaign helped US rescue downed airman in Iran, director says
Iranian forces were “humiliated” after recognizing they were deceived in the move that bought time for U.S. forces to rescue the weapons officer, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said.
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Policy
Trump’s FY27 budget proposes boosts and cuts to tech operations
Agencies like CISA, NIST and the IRS would see notable reductions in their budgets for next year, while programs at Energy and the VA would get additional financial support.
Policy
President’s budget proposes folding beleaguered DHS intelligence office into headquarters
The plan to restructure the Office of Intelligence and Analysis would require congressional approval and could reshape oversight of domestic intelligence-sharing.
Cybersecurity
Suspected Chinese breach of FBI system exposed surveillance targets’ phone numbers
Access to this data could help foreign hackers determine who the U.S. is spying on.
Policy
Single-member surveillance watchdog backs 702 powers, raising independence questions
A staff report from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board praises the value of Section 702 of FISA, though all but one of the board’s members were removed last year.
Artificial Intelligence
Old-school spycraft could make a comeback as AI undermines trust
An article in the CIA’s Studies in Intelligence journal argues that artificial intelligence may erode confidence in certain electronic communications and further revive centuries-old human intelligence techniques.
Digital Government
Trump signs executive order setting rules for mail-in voting and eligibility lists
The president has long disputed the mail-in voting process since his 2020 election run. The order is very likely to face legal challenges.
Cybersecurity
North Korea-linked hackers suspected in Axios open-source hijack, Google analysts say
“The full breadth of this incident is still unclear, but given the popularity of the compromised package, we expect it will have far reaching impacts,” a chief Google analyst said.
People
FCC taps Farhan Khan as CIO
The former FDA digital chief will oversee IT strategy, modernization and security across the commission.
Cybersecurity
DHS drops investigation into former acting CISA chief’s failed polygraph exam
“We are pleased that the CISA personnel punished by previous DHS and CISA leadership for doing their jobs have been cleared of wrongdoing and invited back to work, as we demanded three months ago,” said a joint statement from Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson and Eric Swalwell.
