Author Archive
David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
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
Digital Government
Russia’s influence operations aim to tip US election in favor of Donald Trump, intel official says
The assessment comes two days after the DOJ and others took steps to identify and blunt Russian influence operations.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
5 Russian military hackers plotted to spread malware to Ukraine through a US company, new charges say
The hackers also tried to target a federal agency based in Maryland, the Justice Department alleges.
- By David DiMolfetta
Updated
Cybersecurity
US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election
The Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing two Russian state media employees of contributing to the election influence efforts.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Major agencies are close to meeting September zero trust deadline, federal CIO says
The deadline is linked to a sweeping 2021 cybersecurity executive order.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Under a quarter of rural hospitals are using White House’s free cyber resource program, official says
The commitments from industry leaders announced in June seek to help small healthcare centers boost their cybersecurity posture.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
White House plan looks to secure a foundational piece of the global internet
The roadmap for improving the Border Gateway Protocol calls on the federal government to contract with firms that can provide available secure internet routing technologies.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
CrowdStrike exec to testify in September on last month’s global IT outage
Adversaries closely watched the incident unravel, a House lawmaker said.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
US efforts to stop Chinese hackers haven’t been fully effective, FBI official says
Taking a more offensive approach against the hacking collective may risk escalation with China, a senior intelligence official said Wednesday.
- By David DiMolfetta
Digital Government
NSA to debut podcast to boost public awareness of classified missions
The agency’s “No Such Podcast” series is launching soon. It will host experts across NSA to discuss its role in various intelligence missions.
- By David DiMolfetta
Acquisition
US intelligence agencies eye closer partnerships with private sector
The efforts include a new partnership-focused office, engagement goals for employees and efforts to make information more accessible, a top intelligence official said Tuesday.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Researchers race to document voting machine vulnerabilities ahead of November
Voting machines are key physical targets in election fraud schemes. At the DEF CON hacking conference, cybersecurity experts have been working to safeguard them.
- By David DiMolfetta
Featured eBooks
Cybersecurity
DARPA edges closer to using AI to expose cyber vulnerabilities
Next year, seven teams will compete to polish off a best-case model that meshes AI and cybersecurity to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
How the White House cyber czar is working to breathe new life into America’s cybersecurity workforce
The national cyber director wants to prepare the next generation of cyber warriors. It starts with touring schools.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Former NSA chief wants academia to play larger role in national security
Paul Nakasone is pushing for new initiatives to bolster national security research and workforce recruitment. It begins with a new institute at Vanderbilt University next month.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Trump campaign allegedly hacked, blames Iran for stealing internal communications
Iranian hacking activities are aligning more with legacy Russian cyber operations, a former top CISA official said.
- By David DiMolfetta
Exclusive
Emerging Tech
U.S. quantum cryptography standards set for release next week
NIST’s flagship post-quantum cryptography guidance that would help protect against decryption capabilities enabled by quantum computers aimed for release the week of Aug. 12.
- By David DiMolfetta and Alexandra Kelley
Cybersecurity
Iran is accelerating US election influence operations, Microsoft research says
One Iran-linked disinformation collective staged covert news websites that focused on politically divisive topics. Another group breached a low-level account in a county-level swing state.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Nearly 200 firms have signed pledge to build more secure software, top cyber official says
The initial tally began at around 70 companies when CISA first headlined the initiative at RSA Conference in San Francisco.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Top US cyber agency hasn’t seen infamous Chinese hackers breach election infrastructure
A pervasive hacking collective being tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies hasn’t been seen breaking into any election infrastructure, but visibility into the group’s activities still isn’t clear, according to CISA Director Jen Easterly.
- By David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks still ravage schools, defying White House efforts launched last year
Thousands of school districts have tapped into resources committed by the private sector to shore up their cyberdefenses.
- By David DiMolfetta