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.
Threats
Expect Iran to retaliate against US networks, DHS says
Iran's previous attacks on U.S. systems include last year's theft of sensitive documents from the Trump campaign.
Policy
2026 budget proposal would axe one-third of CISA workforce
The White House spending proposal would cut nearly 1,000 jobs at the nation’s lead civilian cyber agency, and reduce funding for related cyber and intel programs.
Policy
New plans detail State Department layoffs and changes
National-security offices and units that cover Asia and the Middle East will be consolidated or slashed as thousands of employees are laid off.
Policy
An 18th-century war power resurfaces in cyber policy talks
An old-world legal concept has drawn interest as a way to give private firms more leeway to fight state-backed hackers.
Policy
The DOD’s tech agency braces for 10% workforce cut
The agency hopes to bring some staff back in a “surgical rehiring,” said Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, head of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
Policy
Could striking first in cyber be new Pentagon policy?
Bolstering cyber operations is top of mind for Katie Sutton, the White House’s pick to lead Defense Department cyber policy.
Science & Tech
Army’s latest networked-warfare experiment ‘took back’ Fort Irwin
Project Convergence-Capstone 5 points to a need for more robots and combining offensive and defensive fires.
Policy
Top NSC official wants to normalize offensive hacking as tool of US might
Alexei Bulazel's remarks are the clearest indication yet that the United States is working out ways to hack back against foreign enemies and rivals.
Science & Tech
Back like it never left: Austin swarmed with defense tech for SXSW
Defense techies, startups, and investors were in full force this week—if not on the main stage.
Science & Tech
Future of US digital security in jeopardy due to White House attacks on science organization, officials say
Current and former cybersecurity officials say Trump administration attacks on key research centers will benefit China.
Threats
Election officials blast Trump’s ‘retreat’ from protecting voting against foreign threats
Federal programs that help state and local election officials have been gutted.
Science & Tech
Insider-threat detectors fail too often. A new tool could help plug leaks
Building a live model of dataflows and workflows can help reveal where access controls are inefficient or broken.
Exclusive
Threats
What would it cost to replace US telecoms' Chinese-made gear?
With Salt Typhoon still unpurged from U.S. systems, the Government Accountability Office may try to put a price tag on one immensely complicated countermeasure.
Science & Tech
China’s escalating cyber attacks highlight Biden, Trump differences
The incoming administration aims to reduce government’s role in cybersecurity—but also to increase its offensive actions.
Policy