Author Archive
David DiMolfetta
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
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.
- David DiMolfetta
Policy
Lawmakers tee up efforts to keep spyware off troops' devices
The compromise 2025 defense policy bill would mandate security standards, reporting, and more.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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."
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
Policy
UN cyber pact would help autocrats crush dissent, US lawmakers warn
Senators say proposed agreement would reduce privacy, increase surveillance, and legitimize censorship.
- David DiMolfetta
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.”
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
Threats
Foreign adversaries will aim to discredit US election results, intel officials warn
Cuba and others are trying to influence specific congressional races, they said.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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."
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
Threats
Russian disinfo groups target Harris-Walz campaign, Microsoft says
Fake videos, sham content follow U.S. intel community assessment that Moscow favors Trump.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta
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.
- David DiMolfetta