Defense
US strikes didn’t fully wipe Iran nuclear program, early intel assessment says
A preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report says Iran’s nuclear program has only been set back by some months, undercutting public claims from the White House that the nation’s nuclear capabilities were obliterated after a bombing run over the weekend.
Cybersecurity
Report: Iranian hackers are trying to create a psychological war in cyberspace
The Iran-linked CyberAv3ngers gang has evolved itself into a digital propaganda machine by combining recycled data leaks and theatrics to manufacture panic about hacks that never happened.
Cybersecurity
Cyber firms sunset free services meant to counter Russia-linked hacking threats
The 2022 initiative by Cloudflare, CrowdStrike and Ping Identity provided cybersecurity support to critical infrastructure sectors seen as potential targets of Russia-linked attacks.
Cybersecurity
DHS expects Iran’s cyber forces will target US networks after strikes on nuclear sites
Iran has often targeted U.S. digital systems. Last year, Iranian hackers pilfered and distributed sensitive documents from inside President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Acquisition
US spy chief wants intel community to get away from building its own tech
Speaking at the AWS Summit in D.C., Tulsi Gabbard pushed for industry to provide the U.S. spy community with tech tools, and said AI systems have already been helping analysts with major tasks like document declassification.
People
FBI’s Brett Leatherman to take lead of bureau’s cyber division
Leatherman said in a recent LinkedIn post that FBI Director Kash Patel elevated him to the role.
Cybersecurity
US agencies assessed Chinese telecom hackers likely hit data center and residential internet providers
Data center giant Digital Realty and mass media titan Comcast were documented as likely victims of the Salt Typhoon cyberespionage group, people familiar say, marking a potentially major expansion of the group’s initial telecom hacking campaign discovered last year.
Cybersecurity
Trump cyber executive order aims to amend ‘problematic’ parts of Biden, Obama cyber orders
The order strips certain Biden-era cyber directives and looks to orient federal cyber policy around concrete technical measures, including secure software development, quantum-resistant encryption and labeling standards for IoT devices.
Cybersecurity
DOJ files complaint to get nearly $8 million in stolen funds back from North Korea
The DPRK has long been tracked as a cyber actor that uses worker schemes to steal funds for its missile program and other regime goals.
Cybersecurity
Wrong time for Trump admin to end mobile app security program, cyber lawmaker says
Amid a major Chinese intrusion into U.S. telecoms, New York Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino says CISA’s Mobile App Vetting program shouldn’t be terminated.
Cybersecurity
Senate Homeland panel likely to approve Cairncross, Plankey for key cyber positions
Sean Plankey, tapped to lead CISA, did not appear at a Thursday hearing due to reported clearance-related delays, but his name was still added to a list of nominees to be voted on next week.
Cybersecurity
‘I do not have confidence’ that US infrastructure is cyber-secure, former NSC official says
At the AI Expo for National Competitiveness, Anne Neuberger told audiences that artificial intelligence tools are an enhancement opportunity for U.S. cyber defenses and intelligence collection.
People
FBI Cyber Division deputy director departs for anti-ransomware firm
Cynthia Kaiser will serve as senior vice president for Halcyon’s Ransomware Research Center.
Cybersecurity
CISA projected to lose a third of its workforce under Trump’s 2026 budget
The White House’s latest spending proposal projects nearly 1,000 jobs will be slashed at the nation’s lead civilian cyber agency. Related cyber and intel programs across government also face funding rollbacks.
People
Intelligence agency employee arrested for trying to share classified info with foreign government
Nathan Vilas Laatsch was allegedly disgruntled by the Trump administration and willing to share sensitive data with the foreign country. The FBI set up a dead drop operation to intercept the classified materials.
Cybersecurity
Senators urge DHS to reinstate disbanded cyber review board
The board — which was dismissed at the start of the Trump administration — has been viewed as a well-intentioned but imperfect tool for reviewing significant cybersecurity events.
People
Here's where the State Department is planning its layoffs and changes
Various national security offices, as well as units that cover Asia and the Middle East, will be consolidated or slashed. Thousands of employees across divisions are targeted for cuts.
People
Fired GSA 18F employees appeal to have jobs reinstated
The Trump administration has endeavored to streamline the agency’s contracting and procurement processes while putting in mechanisms to shed its workforce.
People
Trump cyber nominees expected to testify next week, people familiar say
An unreleased telecom vulnerabilities report is being used as leverage to block one of the nominees from full confirmation in the Senate.
People