Cybersecurity

Tariffs create more volatile environment for cyberattacks, industry executive warns

Tenable Co-CEO Steve Vintz told Nextgov/FCW that the potential trade wars stoked by the Trump administration’s tariffs facilitate conditions that incentivize hacking activity around the globe.

Cybersecurity

Cyber label program could expand past consumer goods, FCC commissioner predicts

Nathan Simington, the junior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, said a Biden-era cybersecurity labeling program could expand to cover wireless and industrial products.

Cybersecurity

Contractors could hack back against adversaries, top cyber Democrat says

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said the federal government can’t protect everyone and the concept of asking private sector security companies to conduct offensive cyber operations is worth exploring.

Cybersecurity

Phishing campaign seeks to siphon Ukraine war intelligence from defense contractors

Nearly 880 spoofed domains of worldwide IT, defense and aerospace firms were identified between December and March, DomainTools Investigations says.

Cybersecurity

FCC to investigate potential US operations of restricted Chinese firms 

The commission’s new chairman, Brendan Carr, believes that some or all of the companies on the FCC’s Covered List are still operating in the nation.

Cybersecurity

NIST’s vulnerability database logjam is still growing despite attempts to clear it

Vulnerability submissions increased 32% in 2024, NIST said. The agency is considering machine learning to automate certain vulnerability analysis tasks.

Cybersecurity

What’s next for cybersecurity, election info sharing?

Federal funding has been slashed by $10 million for two information sharing centers, which both have tens of thousands of members. A more fragmented and expensive future could follow as states and others go it alone.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

Lawmakers seek DHS records in probe of US response to Chinese cyber campaigns

The House Homeland Security Committee wants DHS to provide internal documents on China’s Volt and Salt Typhoon hacking units, according to a letter being sent Monday.

Cybersecurity

US spy chief probing classified chat rooms to pursue leakers

Tulsi Gabbard said recent examples of unauthorized leaks involve data about Iran, Israel, U.S.-Russia relations and activities in ODNI’s counterintelligence office.

Cybersecurity

US lawmakers ask UK court for transparency into Apple backdoor order

The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.

Cybersecurity

Elon Musk paid a visit to NSA, Cyber Command amid DOGE-led overhauls

Musk’s trip to the signals intelligence office and combatant command is the first recorded instance of him visiting an intelligence agency since President Trump assumed office.

Cybersecurity

Cyberspace Solarium Commission turns five years old

The commission has largely influenced cybersecurity policymaking in Congress through the first half of the decade.

Cybersecurity

Republicans urge Trump admin to launch offensive cyber operations against China

The letter cites high-profile Chinese intrusions into U.S. systems that have made headlines in recent months. Trump’s national security officials have expressed a desire to engage in offensive cyber ops against adversaries.

Cybersecurity

Top House cyber lawmaker to press DHS on key infrastructure group’s shutdown

Industry representatives say the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council has been a valuable information-sharing tool. It was disbanded last week under an order from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Cybersecurity

OPM watchdog to investigate IT risks tied to DOGE’s agency access

The agency’s deputy inspector general began “an engagement to assess risks associated with new and modified information systems at OPM,” a letter to lawmakers says.

Cybersecurity

Civil liberties groups urge spy chief to declassify parts of contested surveillance program

Tulsi Gabbard’s views on the Section 702 program have run atypical to those of past spy chiefs, but it’s not clear what declassification authorities she immediately has.

Cybersecurity

Former intelligence officials denounce job cuts to federal cyber roles

In testimony before a House panel, they said the moves — which have largely affected the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — are harmful to national security.

Cybersecurity

US charges 12 Chinese nationals for hacks into government systems

Some of the people have ties to i-Soon, the Chinese tech firm whose hacking-for-hire activities were exposed in a leak last year. Others are linked to Silk Typhoon, a hacking unit that recently breached the Treasury Department.

Cybersecurity

Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that new U.S. foreign policy configurations “largely coincides with our vision.”

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.