Defense Systems

Air Force’s AI ambitions mean simplifying its tangle of networks

Over the next year, battle-networks chief aims to reduce systems to a “rational number.”

Threats

DOGE risks Americans’ data by operating outside federal law, Democrats say

A report released by the Senate Homeland Committee's ranking member says lax security practices cause “serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy violations, and risk of corruption.”

Defense Systems

Names, networks, and politics

What does the White House’s ‘Department of War’ push mean for the names of the Pentagon’s networks? Officials aren’t quite sure.

Defense Systems

Pentagon preps for end-of-year, zero trust blitz

Defense organizations are readying detailed plans needed to keep hackers at bay by 2027.

Defense Systems

Fight AI-powered cyber attacks with AI tools, intelligence leaders say

But the Pentagon can also make more use of “good old-fashioned automation,” NGA chief says.

Policy

‘Whole-of-nation’ effort needed to deter nation-state hackers, new White House cyber director says

The U.S. “must send a message this behavior is unacceptable” and will come at a cost, Sean Cairncross said.

Defense Systems

DOD’s IT agency zooms in on secret cloud for strategic partners

The Defense Information Systems Agency is focused on delivering classified, cloud-based mission partner environments in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defense Systems

Can COFFEE filters calm the spectrum tug-of-war?

A DARPA project aims to help military and commercial gear squeeze more use out of hotly coveted frequencies.

Policy

Are CISA cuts making America safer? Current and former officials clash at hacker conference

CISA's spokesperson backed the narrowing of the cyber agency’s scope, while a former NSA leader said it lowers the country's defenses.

Policy

US government will ingest all federal data into AI models, WH tech director says

That's one of the national-security reasons the U.S. needs to lead the world in AI, said OSTP's Michael Kratsios.

Threats

CISA vows to publish 2022 telecom-security report to get its next director confirmed

Sen. Ron Wyden has said he'll block Trump's nominee unless the report's findings are made public.

Threats

Pentagon unaffected by latest Microsoft hack, tech chief says

DOD CIO says she's been speaking daily with Microsoft since the zero-day Sharepoint vulnerability was discovered.

Threats

DHS affected by Chinese hack of Microsoft product: sources

The company says several Chinese state-aligned groups have exploited the zero-day vulnerability disclosed on Saturday.

Business

Microsoft ends use of China-based engineers to patch DOD systems

The move comes after a ProPublica report highlighted a Microsoft program that allows foreign engineers to indirectly interact with U.S. military systems through American “escort” intermediaries.

Threats

Salt Typhoon hacks into National Guard systems a ‘serious escalation,’ experts warn

“All U.S. forces must now assume their networks are compromised and will be degraded,” a former Air National Guard servicemember said.

Policy

SASC to Pentagon: you need a new cyber-deterrence plan

Trump-administration nominees and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently traded views on how to deal with rising threats to critical infrastructure.

Threats

Iran-backed hackers may target US defense companies tied to Israel, agencies warn

“Despite a declared ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a permanent solution, Iranian-affiliated cyber actors and hacktivist groups may still conduct malicious cyber activity,” a government advisory says.

Science & Tech

Cyber Command executive director departs for expected role in private sector

As Morgan Adamski leaves, the NSA's Patrick Ware will become the top civilian at the combatant command, amid other changes at the nation’s top hacking unit.