Cybersecurity
FCC leaders skirt call for wiretap security reform, hope to ‘go deeper’ on telecom breach briefings
Lawmakers have called on the agency to take up a rulemaking to rethink wiretapping laws amid the hacks that have ensnared several telecom companies, but top FCC officials have not signaled any forthcoming action yet.
New TSA cyber rules leave lawmakers, industry hopeful for happy medium regulations
The agency argues its Nov. 8 proposed rulemaking will dually address the transportation industry’s regulation concerns while ensuring they’re suitably protected from hackers. Others want to wait and see.
Hackers nabbed emails between congressional staff and Library of Congress
Affected staff were notified Friday afternoon, according to an internal email. Capitol Hill communications with the Congressional Research Service frequently involve confidential legislative drafts or policies still in the brainstorming stage.
FCC to soon announce lead administrator for cyber assurance program
More information will also be unveiled during the 2025 CES, Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger said.
HHS has still not addressed key cyber recommendations, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office said its unaddressed cyber guidance can result “in potential adverse impact on healthcare providers and patient care.”
US still backs UN cyber pact, but final approval awaits human rights safeguards
Some fear the convention would help legitimize authoritarian nations’ surveillance policies. The U.S. won’t formally ratify it until it sees human rights assurances.
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DHS issues internal comms guidance amid telecom breach investigation
The DHS Cyber Safety Review Board is already slated to investigate the hacking collective, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and its intrusion into telecommunications firms and wiretap infrastructure.
Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says
The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.
Intelligence community briefed Congress on Chinese telecom intrusions
It’s believed the hackers, dubbed Salt Typhoon, accessed call records on numerous Americans, including officials and staff affiliated with President-elect Trump.
Will cyber suffer under Trump’s goal to slash federal budgets?
Donald Trump’s intent to cut agency budgets has sparked concerns over adequate cybersecurity funding for government networks. Some believe these fears may be overstated.
CISA has no data supporting claims of election cheating, official says
Baseless voting fraud claims were pushed by Donald Trump in 2020 and the final weeks of his presidency.
Russian email domains sent uncredible bomb threats to polling places, FBI says
Kremlin-backed actors have a long record of sowing fear and disinformation into the U.S. election process.
CISA has not clocked any 'national-level significant incidents' impacting the election, official says
The agency is notably not in active contact with social media platforms but “if a threat were to arise that would necessitate us to do so, we would absolutely reach out,” Cait Conley said.
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Potential year-end cyber executive order may hinge on election results, people familiar say
The pending order will focus heavily on federal cyber standards and emerging tech threats, but remains in limbo amid the presidential election.
Chinese telecom breaches won’t sway election outcomes, CISA chief says
The top U.S. cyber defense agency has seen “no evidence of activity that has the potential to materially impact the outcome of the presidential election,” Jen Easterly said Monday.
Russia produced fake video of immigrant election fraud in Georgia, officials say
CISA is “very concerned” about the ways foreign adversaries might ramp up their efforts during the election certification period, one official said.
Fed, intel and military groups warn data broker practices may threaten national security
The groups wrote a letter concerning a CFPB rule, which is still in development, that would require certain data brokers to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
‘Every single American’ a target of election interference, former DHS official says
Adversaries have heavily accelerated efforts to sway the outcome of next week’s presidential election.
UN cybercrime convention will ‘legitimize’ authoritarian nations’ cyber behavior, senators warn
The proposed treaty has ignited debate among officials, as it may offer adversaries a stronger voice in international discussions about cybersecurity and surveillance.
Biden admin issues restrictions on US investments into sensitive tech tied to China
The rule takes effect Jan. 2 and focuses on emerging technologies that may galvanize Chinese military advancements.
DHS cyber review board to investigate Chinese hack of US telecoms as victim net widens
U.S. government officials and staff on both major presidential campaigns were targeted. One former intelligence official called the breaches “really concerning.”
