Cybersecurity
IBM contract for overseas cyber assistance canned amid USAID shutdown
The foreign aid agency — a prime target of President Donald Trump’s agenda to eliminate perceived government waste — declared cybersecurity an economic development issue in 2021.
Cybersecurity
US spy chief directs legal review of UK’s Apple backdoor demand
Tulsi Gabbard called the order, which demands Apple permit the United Kingdom backdoor access into global users’ iCloud backups, a “clear and egregious” violation of Americans’ privacy.
Cybersecurity
Democrats open investigation into DOGE access to national security information
Multiple media reports have indicated DOGE has accessed classified or highly sensitive data across the government.
Cybersecurity
DOJ watchdog to review FBI data retrieval uses under contested spying authority
The audit came from Congress as part of a law that reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
People
Karen Evans named top cyber official at CISA
Most recently listed as a senior advisor in the agency’s cybersecurity division, Evans has held multiple roles in government cybersecurity and IT.
People
Veterans Affairs loses cybersecurity migration project lead after DOGE layoffs
Another project co-lead is among the 21 legacy USDS staffers who chose to leave civil service this week rather than work with DOGE.
People
OPM procurement processing fully halted following agency layoffs, internal email says
Sweeping terminations in OPM’s Office of Procurement Operations have fully halted agency contracting business and are likely to increase OPM’s operational risks, an internal email reads.
People
Senate confirms Kash Patel to lead FBI
Patel is now poised to lead an agency he has long criticized of being politically biased against Donald Trump
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hackers exploited stolen credentials and a 7-year-old software flaw in Cisco systems
The Chinese hacking collective has widely leveraged vulnerabilities in communications infrastructure to breach dozens of telecom providers in the U.S. and overseas.
Cybersecurity
DOGE employee Edward Coristine lands at CISA with DHS email
A handle dubbed “Rivage” was reportedly tied to Coristine, and used to discuss and solicit hacking activities with a cybercrime syndicate known as The Com.
People
Trump to nominate John Eisenberg to head Justice’s national security division
During his time as a legal advisor in the first Trump administration, Eisenberg reportedly ordered a 2019 call with the Ukrainian president to be secured on a classified server, turning it into the central evidence in Trump’s first impeachment inquiry.
Defense
Katie Arrington announces she is DOD’s new CISO
Arrington, who was once accused of disclosing classified data, was a major proponent of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program used for DOD contractors.
People
Federal workers decry recent firings in Presidents’ Day protest
“All I ask is that [the White House] follow f****** federal employment laws,” said one Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employee.
Digital Government
168 employees fired at National Science Foundation
“Panch has been conveniently absent throughout this whole time,” said an internal email an NSF worker sent to fellow colleagues, referring to Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director.
Cybersecurity
Lawmaker looks to strengthen security of U.S. communications following UK’s Apple backdoor order
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a discussion draft of a measure to reform the CLOUD Act after the UK ordered Apple to build a backdoor into encrypted iCloud backups.
Digital Government
GSA tech modernization office pauses government-wide cloud collaboration groups
The communities of practice are designed to help feds learn more about technology and cybersecurity topics involving the cloud computing space. At least 100 GSA employees have been let go in recent days.
Exclusive
People
OPM fires its own probationary-period staff
Employees’ physical and IT system access was deactivated at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. On-site staff were also asked to quickly exit the Office of Personnel Management’s premises.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers ask DNI to reassess UK cyber, intel ties over Apple backdoor mandate
The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was reportedly invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.
Cybersecurity
FBI notified over 4,300 victims of ‘pig butchering’ crypto scams in past year
After victims are tricked into buying crypto, they are shown fake online accounts with fictitious returns while the stolen funds are moved offshore, an FBI official said.
Cybersecurity