Author Archive

David DiMolfetta

Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

David DiMolfetta
David DiMolfetta covers cybersecurity for Nextgov/FCW. Previously, he researched The Cybersecurity 202 and The Technology 202 newsletters at The Washington Post and covered AI, cybersecurity and technology policy for S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a BBA from The George Washington University and an MS from Georgetown University. Get in touch with him on X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta
Policy

Lawmakers wonder: why don't we hack back against China?

One senator said his colleagues often ask national-security officials why American cyber forces don’t go on the attack more often.

Policy

Lawmakers tee up efforts to keep spyware off troops' devices

The compromise 2025 defense policy bill would mandate security standards, reporting, and more.

Policy

Proposed rule would bar sale of Americans' financial data to adversaries

Consumer-protection agency aims to limit what data brokers can sell to foreign rivals and cybercriminals who seek intelligence and profit.

Threats

FBI: Russian email addresses tied to 'not credible' bomb threats

The agency "is aware" of emailed threats to polling locations in several states, none of which have proved credible.

Threats

So far, no 'national-level significant incidents' on Election Day, CISA says

The DHS agency is not in active contact with social media platforms, but: “If a threat were to arise that would necessitate us to do so, we would absolutely reach out."

Threats

Russia produced fake video of immigrant election fraud in Georgia, officials say 

CISA is “very concerned” about the ways foreign adversaries might ramp up their efforts during the election certification period, one official said.

Threats

‘Every single American’ a target of election interference, former DHS official says

Adversaries have heavily accelerated efforts to sway the outcome of next week’s presidential election.

Business

Six charged with conspiring to defraud agencies with IT-contracting schemes

Defense and intelligence agencies are among those allegedly defrauded, federal investigators said—adding that more charges may be in store.

Policy

UN cyber pact would help autocrats crush dissent, US lawmakers warn

Senators say proposed agreement would reduce privacy, increase surveillance, and legitimize censorship.

Threats

China's deepening telecoms hack sparks DHS probe

U.S. government officials and staff on both major presidential campaigns were targeted. One former intelligence official called the breaches “really concerning.”

Threats

Adversaries will aim to ‘stoke societal unrest’ after Election Day, officials warn

Such efforts are intensifying, said an intelligence community official who confirmed that Russia was behind recent false claims about Tim Walz.

Threats

DOJ, Microsoft disrupt Russian hackers targeting civil society orgs

The group, likely linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service, has focused on stealing credentials from NGOs and think tanks around the world.

Business

FBI’s Carahsoft raid comes amid allegations of price-fixing

The leading IT reseller is in the middle of an ongoing False Claims Act case involving multiple vendors.

Business

FBI raids defense contractor Carahsoft

Company president says the agents were there "as part of an investigation into a company with which Carahsoft has done business in the past."

Threats

Device detonations reveal ‘incredible’ intelligence abilities: ex-NSA chief

“I think about our own supply chains and what we need to be able to do to ensure their integrity,” Paul Nakasone said.

Threats

Russian disinfo groups target Harris-Walz campaign, Microsoft says

Fake videos, sham content follow U.S. intel community assessment that Moscow favors Trump.

Threats

Russia aims to tip US election to Trump, intel official says

The assessment comes two days after the DOJ and others took steps to blunt Russian influence operations.

Threats

US announces steps to disrupt Russian election-influence campaign

The effort includes sanctions, web-domain seizures, and today's indictments of two Russian state media employees.

Defense Systems

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.