Updated Cybersecurity

US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election

The Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing two Russian state media employees of contributing to the election influence efforts.

Cybersecurity

Under a quarter of rural hospitals are using White House’s free cyber resource program, official says

The commitments from industry leaders announced in June seek to help small healthcare centers boost their cybersecurity posture.

Cybersecurity

White House plan looks to secure a foundational piece of the global internet

The roadmap for improving the Border Gateway Protocol calls on the federal government to contract with firms that can provide available secure internet routing technologies.

Cybersecurity

US efforts to stop Chinese hackers haven’t been fully effective, FBI official says

Taking a more offensive approach against the hacking collective may risk escalation with China, a senior intelligence official said Wednesday.

Digital Government

NSA to debut podcast to boost public awareness of classified missions

The agency’s “No Such Podcast” series is launching soon. It will host experts across NSA to discuss its role in various intelligence missions.

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.

Cybersecurity

Researchers race to document voting machine vulnerabilities ahead of November

Voting machines are key physical targets in election fraud schemes. At the DEF CON hacking conference, cybersecurity experts have been working to safeguard them.

Cybersecurity

DARPA edges closer to using AI to expose cyber vulnerabilities

Next year, seven teams will compete to polish off a best-case model that meshes AI and cybersecurity to detect and fix open-source vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

How the White House cyber czar is working to breathe new life into America’s cybersecurity workforce

The national cyber director wants to prepare the next generation of cyber warriors. It starts with touring schools.

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

Trump campaign allegedly hacked, blames Iran for stealing internal communications

Iranian hacking activities are aligning more with legacy Russian cyber operations, a former top CISA official said.

Exclusive Emerging Tech

U.S. quantum cryptography standards set for release next week

NIST’s flagship post-quantum cryptography guidance that would help protect against decryption capabilities enabled by quantum computers aimed for release the week of Aug. 12.

Cybersecurity

Iran is accelerating US election influence operations, Microsoft research says

One Iran-linked disinformation collective staged covert news websites that focused on politically divisive topics. Another group breached a low-level account in a county-level swing state.

Cybersecurity

Nearly 200 firms have signed pledge to build more secure software, top cyber official says

The initial tally began at around 70 companies when CISA first headlined the initiative at RSA Conference in San Francisco.

Cybersecurity

Top US cyber agency hasn’t seen infamous Chinese hackers breach election infrastructure

A pervasive hacking collective being tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies hasn’t been seen breaking into any election infrastructure, but visibility into the group’s activities still isn’t clear, according to CISA Director Jen Easterly.

Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks still ravage schools, defying White House efforts launched last year

Thousands of school districts have tapped into resources committed by the private sector to shore up their cyberdefenses.

Cybersecurity

Senate confirms first-ever Pentagon cyber policy chief

The new position would help the DOD increase its public-facing cyber outreach efforts.

Cybersecurity

Critical infrastructure group launches effort to aid federal agencies’ cyber defenses

The federal government’s cybersecurity posture has been spotlighted several times since last decade’s OPM breach.