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
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
US spy chief directs legal review of UK’s Apple backdoor demand
Tulsi Gabbard called the order, which demands Apple permit the United Kingdom backdoor access into global users’ iCloud backups, a “clear and egregious” violation of Americans’ privacy.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers ask DNI to reassess UK cyber, intel ties over Apple backdoor mandate
The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was reportedly invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.
People
Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as Trump’s intelligence chief
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard is now poised to oversee the nation’s 18 spy agencies, including the CIA, NSA and related organizations in the Pentagon.
People
Gabbard’s past Snowden remarks raise concerns at DNI confirmation hearing
Senators also questioned Trump’s pick to be director of national intelligence over whether a controversial spying authority needed additional reforms in place.
People
ODNI adds new colleges and universities to its school recruitment program
Recent intelligence community recruitment efforts have focused on STEM.
People
Intelligence CIO moves to helm IT at the National Institutes of Health
Adele Merritt, who served as CIO for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence since January 2022, took over as the NIH CIO on Dec. 16.
People
‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has a “history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation,” said one official.
Cybersecurity
Adversaries will aim to ‘stoke societal unrest’ after Election Day, officials warn
Such efforts are intensifying, said an intelligence community official who confirmed that Russia was behind recent false claims about Tim Walz.
Cybersecurity
Foreign adversaries will aim to discredit results after Election Day, intel officials warn
Select nations, including Cuba, are trying to influence specific congressional races, they added.
Acquisition
ODNI told to redo financial management contract
The Government Accountability Office looked at Guidehouse's protest against the award and found inconsistencies in how proposals were evaluated for this contract that supports the entire intelligence community.
Acquisition
US intelligence agencies eye closer partnerships with private sector
The efforts include a new partnership-focused office, engagement goals for employees and efforts to make information more accessible, a top intelligence official said Tuesday.
Digital Government
Malicious foreign actors exploit US entities to push disinformation, IC warns
Communications and marketing firms can be pulled in as unwitting collaborators, the intelligence officials noted in a Monday call.
Policy
Russian influence operations ‘preeminent threat’ to November election, officials warn
Moscow appears to continue favoring Donald Trump, while other nations will aim to sow divisional chaos online or sway broader geopolitical discussions.
Acquisition
Spy agencies must craft safeguards for using sensitive commercial data, ODNI says
The new framework follows a report last year that showed the intelligence community frequently relies on purchased sensitive information.
Cybersecurity
National intelligence office issues cyber warning for government and commercial satellites
The warning comes just about a month after three teams at the DEF CON 23 convention in Las Vegas managed to successfully hack a government satellite in orbit.
People
Budding spies might not get weeded out for past drug use
Activists say this would be a practical step to help ensure all the best candidates are getting considered for intelligence jobs.
Cybersecurity
IC leaders drill in on diversity issues at House hearing
Although there have been some gains in the representation of women and minorities in the IC workforce overall, the highest ranks are less diverse.
Cybersecurity