People
Senate panel advances Trump’s national cyber director nominee
Sean Cairncross now faces a vote in the full Senate. He was widely expected to advance out of committee.
Cybersecurity
US unveils multiple operations to shutter North Korean IT worker schemes
At least one U.S. government contractor was hoovered up by the illicit worker operations, a senior FBI official said. The fraud has cost victims millions of dollars.
Cybersecurity
Iran-backed hackers may target US defense companies tied to Israel, agencies warn
“Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity,” a government advisory says.
People
Cyber Command executive director departs for expected role in private sector
Morgan Adamski’s place as the top civilian lead in the combatant command will be filled by NSA official Patrick Ware, amid vast leadership changes at the nation’s top hacking unit.
Defense
Fresh evidence shows Iran’s nuclear program was ‘severely damaged,’ CIA director says
The claim follows reports of a DIA assessment that had determined the program was set back by only a few months.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Former Biden cyber chief defends Cyber Trust Mark in the face of FCC review
Anne Neuberger told Nextgov/FCW the Cyber Trust Mark, as it stands, is the most effective path to labeling secure devices and reducing reliance on insecure tech from China.
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