People
Agency guidance on ‘five accomplishments’ email still inconsistent
Bureaus inside DHS are still reviewing past submissions from staff and have instructed their workers to hold off on sending more updates.
Cybersecurity
OPM watchdog to investigate IT risks tied to DOGE’s agency access
The agency’s deputy inspector general began “an engagement to assess risks associated with new and modified information systems at OPM,” a letter to lawmakers says.
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.
People
CIA is terminating some probationary employees
Recent U.S. intelligence has signaled that foreign adversaries are increasing efforts to recruit disgruntled federal employees in sensitive national security roles.
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.
Cybersecurity
US charges 12 Chinese nationals for hacks into government systems
Some of the people have ties to i-Soon, the Chinese tech firm whose hacking-for-hire activities were exposed in a leak last year. Others are linked to Silk Typhoon, a hacking unit that recently breached the Treasury Department.
Policy
GSA lease terminations hit GAO offices doing national security work
Some of the terminated leases include buildings with spaces designed to exchange classified information on defense programs.
Defense
Weeks after CISO announcement, Katie Arrington moves into DOD CIO role
A defense official said that Arrington, who was previously accused of disclosing classified data, does not concurrently have the role of DOD CISO.
Cybersecurity
Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that new U.S. foreign policy configurations “largely coincides with our vision.”
Cybersecurity
IBM contract for overseas cyber assistance canned amid USAID shutdown
The foreign aid agency — a prime target of President Donald Trump’s agenda to eliminate perceived government waste — declared cybersecurity an economic development issue in 2021.
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
Democrats open investigation into DOGE access to national security information
Multiple media reports have indicated DOGE has accessed classified or highly sensitive data across the government.
Cybersecurity
DOJ watchdog to review FBI data retrieval uses under contested spying authority
The audit came from Congress as part of a law that reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
People
Karen Evans named top cyber official at CISA
Most recently listed as a senior advisor in the agency’s cybersecurity division, Evans has held multiple roles in government cybersecurity and IT.
People
Veterans Affairs loses cybersecurity migration project lead after DOGE layoffs
Another project co-lead is among the 21 legacy USDS staffers who chose to leave civil service this week rather than work with DOGE.
People
OPM procurement processing fully halted following agency layoffs, internal email says
Sweeping terminations in OPM’s Office of Procurement Operations have fully halted agency contracting business and are likely to increase OPM’s operational risks, an internal email reads.
People
Senate confirms Kash Patel to lead FBI
Patel is now poised to lead an agency he has long criticized of being politically biased against Donald Trump
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hackers exploited stolen credentials and a 7-year-old software flaw in Cisco systems
The Chinese hacking collective has widely leveraged vulnerabilities in communications infrastructure to breach dozens of telecom providers in the U.S. and overseas.
Cybersecurity
DOGE employee Edward Coristine lands at CISA with DHS email
A handle dubbed “Rivage” was reportedly tied to Coristine, and used to discuss and solicit hacking activities with a cybercrime syndicate known as The Com.
People