People
NSA firings stoke fears of Trump installing a partisan loyalist to lead spy agency
“We saw it’s possible, without adequate oversight, for our spy agencies to do inappropriate things,” a former senior intelligence official said, referencing the 1970s congressional investigations that revealed many spying abuses against Americans.
People
Trump fires head of NSA and Cyber Command
Gen. Timothy Haugh’s removal was spurred by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who, earlier Thursday, reportedly urged the president to terminate multiple National Security Council staffers.
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
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.
Acquisition
A decade-old risk led to ‘phenomenal partnership’ between AWS and the intel community
The move to bring highly classified systems to the cloud was uncharted territory for both the company and the CIA.
Cybersecurity
Chinese telecom espionage began with ‘much broader’ aims, officials say
The U.S. has been investigating the Salt Typhoon hackers since late spring and early summer this year, a senior FBI official said.
Cybersecurity
Device detonations reveal ‘incredible’ intelligence abilities: ex-NSA chief
“I think about our own supply chains and what we need to be able to do to ensure their integrity,” Paul Nakasone said.
Exclusive
Modernization
NSA’s secret Amazon-developed cloud environment progressing ‘very well’
The agency's $10 billion cloud program dubbed “WildandStormy" is benefiting from the intelligence community's dozen years of experience in commercial cloud, an AWS official said.
Cybersecurity
Former NSA chief wants academia to play larger role in national security
Paul Nakasone is pushing for new initiatives to bolster national security research and workforce recruitment. It begins with a new institute at Vanderbilt University next month.
Cybersecurity
New NSA-powered AI tool would help industry optimize cyberdefense testing
Autonomous Penetration Testing would overhaul manual work needed to check the cyber armor of firms that service the DOD community, said Cyber Command and NSA head Gen. Timothy Haugh.
Cybersecurity
Former NSA head feels ‘really good’ about election security come November
Paul Nakasone, the recently retired head of NSA and CYBERCOM, said the intelligence community has everything it needs to combat election interference attempts later this year.
Policy
Section 702 renewal has support in Congress, but intelligence officials are leery of warrant measure
The disputed surveillance authority expires April 19, and the intelligence community is sending a full-court press to keep it from garnering significant privacy reforms.
Cybersecurity
Practical quantum computing is coming in 3 to 5 years, but will be cloud based, NSA official predicts
Cloud architectures will allow organizations to more easily access quantum capabilities, he said.
Exclusive
People
Ex-NSA innovation chief’s new startup looks to future-proof federal agencies against cyberthreats
Kevin Keaton’s Eyris would fuse blockchain technologies into advanced security solutions to defend federal agencies, the Pentagon and others against cyber threats.
People
NSA cyber director to step down after 34 years of service
His departure comes amid heightened security fears in 2024 and debate over whether to renew a controversial spying power.
Cybersecurity
Cyber, intelligence chiefs urge U.S. to strengthen against Chinese cyber threats
In a collective call to action, officials warned of invasive actions that China-backed hackers can take against U.S. infrastructure and elections.
Cybersecurity
Top cyber, intelligence chiefs to call out China as leading cyber threat
Researchers and officials have previously designated China as a clandestine, preparatory operator in cyberspace, quietly breaching and securing systems to use to their advantage at a later time.
Defense
NSA illegally purchases Americans’ internet data without a warrant, senator says
The NSA’s purchases of commercial metadata without a court order — revealed in documents exchanged with Sen. Ron Wyden — violate consumer protection laws, the Oregon Democrat claims.
Cybersecurity
New CISA, NSA guidance highlights pain points in identity and security management
A public-private working panel recommends vendors invest more in security measures like multifactor authentication.
Emerging Tech