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.
Cybersecurity
Pro-Iran hackers claim breach of FBI director’s email
The leaks appear to be authentic, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers question VPN impact on Americans' FISA surveillance protections
Democrats from both chambers sent a letter questioning the impacts to the Director of National Intelligence as Congress faces a deadline to renew FISA Section 702, which allows warrantless collection of foreigners’ communications overseas.
Cybersecurity
EU wants to support bedrock cyber vulnerability program, top official says
U.S. congressional staffers are also working on legislation to give CISA more oversight of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program after a contracting incident last April.
Artificial Intelligence
ODNI is building a framework to boost spy agencies’ AI adoption
A tech modernization push launched last year also included expanded threat hunting across IC networks, according to an official.
Cybersecurity
European officials highlight private sector help in major cybercrime takedowns
Industry helped European law enforcement groups in operations that tracked and dismantled assets tied to major cybercrime gangs like Scattered Spider.
Cybersecurity
Ex-NSA leaders say Americans are becoming ‘numb’ to cyber threats
A serious cyberattack hasn’t prompted a strong enough policy or public reaction, one former director said.
Exclusive
People
New NSA director pushes for more intel-sharing with allies in internal meeting
Gen. Josh Rudd also told members of NSA and Cyber Command that the organizations should still focus on major cyber adversaries like Russia and China, despite the Trump administration’s emphasis on the southern border.
Cybersecurity
Google launches threat disruption unit, stops short of calling it ‘offensive’
The unit will use legal authorizations and technical capabilities to impede cyber threat groups, though company execs say it will not go so far as to hack into adversaries' systems.
Defense
Annual intelligence assessment doesn’t address foreign threats to US elections
In a hearing to discuss the assessment, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also offered mixed signals about Iran’s nuclear capabilities, with her written testimony differing from spoken remarks.
Cybersecurity
CISA, FBI have engaged with Stryker staff after cyberattack, official says
Industry groups are seeing a “steady state” of Iran-linked hacking activity but observers should still keep their eyes peeled, CISA’s Nick Andersen said.
Cybersecurity
National cyber director doesn’t envision industry doing offensive hacking
Sean Cairncross wants the private sector to use its technical prowess to inform U.S. government offensive and defensive decisions.
People
Counterterrorism center head resigns over Iran war
Joe Kent said Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation” and he could not support the ongoing war.
People
Lawmakers seek watchdog probe into former acting CISA chief’s polygraph failures
A letter penned by House Democrats indicates CISA’s former acting director failed a second polygraph examination during his tenure.
Cybersecurity