Science & Tech

How Long Did the US Government Know about Spectre and Meltdown?

The largest CPU bug in history caught the Defense Department by surprise. Or not.

Science & Tech

China's Surveillance State Should Scare Everyone

The country is perfecting a vast network of digital espionage as a means of social control—with implications for democracies worldwide.

Science & Tech

No, the US Won’t Respond to A Cyber Attack with Nukes

Defense leaders won’t completely rule out the possibility. But it’s a very, very, very remote possibility.

Science & Tech

How Fake Data Can Help the Pentagon Track Rogue Weapons

The Air Force Research Laboratory bought software that trains machine-learning tools to spot groups amassing biological, nuclear and chemical weapons.

Science & Tech

Strava’s Just the Start: The US Military’s Losing War Against Data Leakage

The Defense Department can’t stop the rising river of digital metadata — or prevent enemies from dipping into it.

Science & Tech

Security at the Winter Olympics Includes Drones That Catch Drones

Even without the Olympics, South Korea has been beefing up its drone expertise.

Science & Tech

Chelsea Manning’s Campaign Website is Based in Iceland. Why?

For one thing, it’s harder for U.S. law enforcement to search. That may matter to the Wikileaks contributor-turned-U.S. Senate candidate.

Science & Tech

DHS Cyber Info Sharing Tool to Get a Reboot This Year

The goal is for organizations to use the tool to automatically block cyber threats.

Science & Tech

The Cost To Put a Microsatellite Constellation Into Space Just Fell Through the Floor

Super-cheap rocket startup hits orbit in new test, demonstrates space maneuvering to deposit satellites.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Deputy Tapped For Powerful New Management Role

The chief management officer position would focus on business reform but include IT and data management responsibilities.

Threats

What A Nuclear Missile Attack On Hawaii Would Look Like

A blast over Honolulu would be catastrophic. That doesn’t mean the government shouldn’t help the public prepare for one.

Science & Tech

As America’s Nukes and Sensors Get More Connected, the Risk of Cyber Attack Is Growing

Future nuclear weapons will be more sophisticated and better integrated with other equipment. That has benefits and drawbacks.

Policy

Why the President’s FISA Fix Is Bad News For Privacy, Good News for Russian Agents

Early-morning tweets revealed Trump’s complicated relationship with various spying rules.

Science & Tech

DHS Offers to Vet States’ Voting Systems. But Will They Ask for Help?

Some states remain wary of federal election-security assistance, but the ice is thawing, a Homeland Security official said.

Science & Tech

Tomorrow's Cargo Drones Won't Look Much Like Today's Helicopters

Boeing unveils a squarish, skeletal quadcopter to try out new unmanned-delivery concepts.

Science & Tech

Border Agents Are Searching Through More Travelers' Devices Than Ever

Customs and Border Protection released updated rules for how officials can search phones, laptops and tablets in the age of encryption.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon's Cloud Strategy Is ‘Evolving’

The department hasn't made a final decision on how many contracts it will award, a Pentagon spokesman said.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Seeks Laser-Powered Bat Drones. Really.

A new contest seeks flight systems inspired by Mother Nature and powered by directed-energy beams.