Cybersecurity

Russia Linked to Nearly 75% of Late 2021 Ransomware Attacks, Per Analysis

The analyzed ransomware variants—from July to December 2021—amounted to millions of dollars in damages.

Emerging Tech

Compliance First, Penalty Second as Feds Implement Crypto Regulations

Officials within federal law enforcement described the critical role private sector communication will play in developing digital asset regulatory guidance.

Digital Government

Justice Reveals Use of a Double Agent in Complaint Against Chinese Spies

The spies were charged with obstruction of justice during the prosecution of a Chinese telecommunications firm in one of three indictments the department uncovered related to China’s quest for technological superiority and global standing, officials said.

Policy

U.S. Imposes Semiconductor and Aviation Tech Sanctions on Russia

The sanctions follow international concern over unmanned aerial vehicles tech found amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Digital Government

US-UK Data Sharing Program Goes Into Effect

The bilateral CLOUD agreement between both nations aims to provide law enforcement with access to valuable data to fight transatlantic and international crime.

Digital Government

NSA Employee Leaked Classified Cyber Intel, Charged with Espionage

Former NSA InfoSec Designer Jareh Sebastian Dalke was arrested by the FBI in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday as part of a sting operation.

Cybersecurity

FCC Adds China-linked Telecom Providers to List of National Security Threats

The departments of Defense and Justice want the agency to take a more comprehensive approach to preventing foreign adversaries from accessing Americans’ communications and data.

Emerging Tech

Justice Officials Release Framework for Policing Crime in Crypto Space

Complimenting the new national digital asset framework, law enforcement is planning similar steps to combat crime in the crypto marketplace. 

Cybersecurity

Defense, Justice Call for FCC Rulemaking to Secure Internet Routing, Opposing NTIA

The departments cited comments from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and said a regulatory approach would have a greater impact “industry-wide” than dealing with entities case-by-case.

Cybersecurity

Whole-of-Government Effort Targets Iranian Hackers

An unsealed indictment from the Department of Justice accompanied  sanctions and an advisory with international allies warning against government-linked Iranian hackers.

Digital Government

IRS Executes Summons for Financial Records of Crypto Transactions

The federal regulatory agency is asking for details from trading platform sFOX on users who engaged in at least $20,000 worth of transactions. 

Digital Government

Senators Urge DOJ to Flex Debarment Authority

Two Democrats say that companies are getting away with "ripping off the government" because of the reluctance to exercise suspension and debarment authorities.

Ideas

Fueled by Virtually Unrestricted Social Media Access, White Nationalism is on the Rise and Attracting Violent Young White Men

Social media provides a platform for attracting violent extremists that has never existed before.

Digital Government

Government Authority to Counter Drones Gets Expansion Under New Legislation 

The Senate bill  would extend the DHS and DOJ’s drone-countering abilities that are set to expire in October, while also implementing some of the Biden administration’s recommendations for mitigating risks posed by potentially malicious drones.

Modernization

Lack of Oversight Continues to Harm Accessibility of Federal Websites, Senators Say

DOJ has not issued reports on federal agencies’ compliance with accessibility standards in a decade, despite many federal websites still remaining inaccessible.

Modernization

U.S. Courts Still Suffer Poor IT Management Following 2020 Breach, Watchdog Finds

A U.S. Government Accountability Office’s report indicates insufficient IT workforce planning and management at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, following the office’s 2020 system breach.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Question DOJ’s National Security Division on Cybersecurity, Surveillance

The House Judiciary Committee raised concerns over  three hostile foreign actors that breached court systems in early 2020, in addition to questions about the surveillance of Americans.

Digital Government

US-UK Data Access Agreement Will Go Into Effect Later This Year

The Department of Justice said the CLOUD Act partnership will give investigators in both countries quicker access to data held by service providers.

Cybersecurity

Justice Recovered $500K for Victims, Traced Ransomware Payments to China

The announcement emphasizes the department’s new strategy to address cyber threats, which also includes enforcing financial penalties for federal contractors misrepresenting their cyber defenses.