People
DOJ names its first chief AI officer
The new role is intended to focus on building a tech-ready workforce and interagency cooperation.
Cybersecurity
US, international partners disrupt LockBit ransomware operations
Officials have also developed a tool for victims targeted by LockBit to potentially decrypt their compromised data.
Cybersecurity
FBI disrupts botnet controlled by Russian security services
The news comes just weeks after the U.S. announced it went on the offensive against a China-linked botnet operation.
Cybersecurity
US disrupts China-linked cyber campaign impacting critical infrastructure, Justice officials say
The hackers infected privately owned small office/home office routers to conceal the origins of their intrusions into critical infrastructure systems.
Artificial Intelligence
Stop funding predictive policing tech without ‘evidence standards,’ lawmakers tell DOJ
Seven Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to cease grant funding for predictive policing systems until DOJ ensures they are not having “a discriminatory impact.”
Ideas
The government’s FOIA policy changes are adding to work levels and requests — but e-Discovery can help
Federal agencies received a record-high number of requests in fiscal year 2022, and FOIA backlogs are growing.
Cybersecurity
CISA conducts largest annual election security drills amid threats targeting voting systems
The nation’s cyber defense agency hosted a three-day election security exercise with state, local and federal officials ahead of the 2024 race.
Cybersecurity
Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan
The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.
Cybersecurity
Federal Operation Takes Down Sophisticated Russian Malware
Snake malware has plagued international digital networks for nearly two decades; a joint federal effort finally dismantled the web of espionage spyware.
Cybersecurity
US Marshals to Unveil ‘Fully Reconstituted System’ Following Ransomware Attack
Offline since February, the new system will have improved cybersecurity countermeasures.
Artificial Intelligence
4 Agencies Pledge Enforcement Against AI Bias
A letter helmed by the Federal Trade Commission promises vigilance against automated systems used to make critical socioeconomic decisions.
Cybersecurity
Federal Law Enforcement’s New Focus is on ‘Disruption’ of Cybercrime
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted that success will be seen with a “bias towards action,” rather than just courtroom victories.
Cybersecurity
US Officials Charge Chinese Agents with Running ‘Secret Police Station’ in NYC
Prosecutors unveiled charges Monday against a “troll farm” and Chinese nationals who worked with a Zoom employee to crash meetings with U.S.-based dissidents.
Cybersecurity
Genesis Black Market Dismantled, But Experts Warn of Potential Vacuum
A major coordinated effort took down the black market for stolen data, but experts warn the fight to secure data is ongoing.
Digital Government
DOJ Seizes $112 Million in Fraudulent Crypto Investments
Another week, another multi-million dollar crypto bust from the Department of Justice.
Digital Government
5 Foreign Nationals Tried to Ship U.S. Military Tech to Iran, Per Justice Indictments
The Departments of Justice and Treasury have taken coordinated actions against several foreign nationals for conspiracy to export sensitive military technology.
Cybersecurity
US Marshals Service Hacked in ‘Major Incident’
This is the second time the agency has been hacked in recent years, adding to a growing number of agencies that have experienced cybersecurity incidents.
Digital Government
After a Decade of Noncompliance, DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility
The release of the Justice Department’s first Section 508 report since 2012 comes after lawmakers raised bipartisan concerns about agencies’ continued inability to meet federal technology accessibility standards.
Emerging Tech
DOJ Launches Disruptive Technology Strike Force
The Justice Department’s endeavor is aimed at preventing threats from adversaries using the next generation of military and national security technology against the U.S. and its allies.
Digital Government