Tag: government agencies
52 articles

ATF Breach Exposes Investigation Targets in Ransomware Attack
A recent ransomware attack has compromised a standalone ATF computer system, exposing sensitive information about targets of ongoing investigations. The breach was quickly contained, as the affected system was isolated from the rest of the ATF's networks and shut down immediately.

Federal Agencies Face Shrinking Window to Defend Against Cyber Threats
The threat landscape has drastically changed: cyber attackers can now exploit vulnerabilities in as little as two days, leaving federal agencies with a shrinking window to defend against threats. To stay ahead, they must shift their focus from reacting to attacks to anticipating and preparing for what's next.

CISA Warns of Exploited Flaws in Russian Video Conferencing Platform TrueConf
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about two critical vulnerabilities in TrueConf, a Russian video conferencing platform, that have already been exploited in real-world attacks. Federal agencies have just until September 10 to patch these flaws and protect themselves.

Agencies Face Mounting Pressure to Modernize FOIA Systems
With over 1.7 million Freedom of Information Act requests pouring in during FY2025, federal agencies are facing unprecedented pressure to modernize their FOIA systems and ditch outdated infrastructure that's slowing them down. Legacy platforms are struggling to keep up with record request volumes, causing bottlenecks, duplication, and increased risk.

US Charges 17 Iranians in Massive Cybertheft Campaign
Meet the 17 Iranians behind a massive cyber heist that stole a mind-boggling 31.5 terabytes of sensitive data from hundreds of universities, companies, and government agencies - a staggering digital theft that went on for years. The charges reveal a sophisticated hacking operation linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other government clients.

UK Criminal Records Office Breach Exposes 11,000 People's Sensitive Data
A shocking data breach at the UK's Criminal Records Office has left 11,000 individuals vulnerable after sensitive information was exposed due to basic cyber security failings. The breach went undetected for seven months, highlighting the devastating consequences of neglecting online security.

Agencies Misattribute AI Hallucinations, Overlook Data Context Challenges
When AI systems produce inaccurate responses, the knee-jerk reaction is often to blame the models themselves, but the real issue frequently lies in the data feeding them. As agencies ramp up their AI efforts, they're overlooking a crucial factor: the context and quality of the data, which can make or break the reliability of AI systems.

Identity Takes Center Stage in Cybersecurity as Threats Evolve
In today's evolving threat landscape, protecting identity has become the top priority in cybersecurity - treat it like the crown jewels, because it is. By prioritizing identity protection and having a plan in place to recover quickly, organizations can safeguard the foundation of every mission.

Chinese Hackers Target Central Asian Governments with OctLurk and SilkLurk Malware
Chinese hackers have launched a stealthy cyberattack on government organizations across six Central Asian countries, infiltrating ministries, hospitals, and schools with sophisticated malware. The targeted countries include Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Syrian Arab Republic.

Chinese Cyber-Attacks Expose Central Asian Governments to Espionage.
Since January 2025, a sneaky cyber-attack campaign has been targeting government organizations across Central Asia, with victims in six countries, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The attacks, involving customized malware, have hit a wide range of sectors, from healthcare and research to law enforcement and education.

Public Sector AI Adoption Exposes Data Trust Gap
As public agencies move advanced AI from pilots to mission-critical operations, they face a major hurdle: a data trust gap that's holding back widespread adoption. The root of the problem lies in the disconnect between the data architectures of today and the requirements of trustworthy AI.

Hackers Exploit ViPNet Software to Target Russian Government Agencies
A sophisticated cyber attack, dubbed HelloNet, has been targeting high-profile Russian organizations, including government agencies, energy companies, and educational institutions, since at least May. The hackers are exploiting a popular networking software to deliver a powerful proxy and loader, allowing them to gain a foothold and spread their reach.

Ransomware Targets Government Agencies Daily, Study Reveals
Government agencies are under attack, with ransomware hitting a staggering 187 organizations in just six months - that's one body disrupted every single day, on average. This alarming trend is up 13% from the previous half-year, leaving public services vulnerable and citizens at risk.

CISA Exposes Lessons from AWS GovCloud Key Incident Response
When a security researcher uncovered exposed credentials in a public GitHub repository, CISA sprang into action, swiftly mitigating any potential exposure to its cloud resources and code repositories. Thanks to the researcher's sharp eyes and KrebsOnSecurity's reporting, CISA was able to respond quickly and contain the incident.

Armored Likho Exposes BusySnake Stealer Campaign
Meet Armored Likho, a sneaky group behind the BusySnake Stealer Campaign, which has already compromised government agencies and power companies in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Brazil. Their clever tactics start with targeted spear-phishing emails, often disguised as harmless attachments like psychological tests or aid applications.

Armored Likho Exploits Global Targets with BusySnake Stealer
Meet Armored Likho, a sneaky threat actor who's been wreaking havoc globally, exploiting both private individuals and organizations, including government agencies and electric power sectors in Russia, Brazil, and Kazakhstan. With a blend of financially motivated attacks and targeted cyber espionage, Armored Likho is a force to be reckoned with.

US Secret Service Exposes Agents to Cyber Risk with Lax Mobile Security
The US Secret Service is putting its agents at risk of cyber attacks by allowing them to use personal phones for work, with over 15,000 instances of unsecured calls made during critical operations. This lax mobile security leaves them vulnerable to hackers, despite having access to supposedly secure government-issued devices.

Defense Agency Taps AI to Accelerate Security Clearance Reviews
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is harnessing the power of AI to supercharge security clearance reviews, cutting processing time from months to just hours. By automating narrow tasks and escalating them to human reviewers, the agency is streamlining the vetting process like never before.

Federal Agencies Target AI Governance as Adoption Scales
As AI moves from experimental pilots to integral workflows within federal agencies, the focus shifts to responsible adoption, with success in 2026 hinging on secure and disciplined implementation. The right approach will be crucial, as agencies that adopt AI securely and responsibly will be the ones that truly thrive.

US Research Security Landscape Evolves Amid Foreign Exploitation Fears
Join a live webinar on June 24, 2026, to explore how the Pentagon's new emphasis on research security is transforming the way universities, government agencies, and institutions protect against foreign exploitation. Earn 1 CPE credit while learning how to bolster defenses for basic and applied research in a rapidly evolving security landscape.

CISA Faces Scrutiny Over Leaked Credentials
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is under fire after dozens of its internal credentials were accidentally exposed on a public GitHub account, sparking concerns over potential security breaches. Despite the agency's assurance that no sensitive data was compromised, lawmakers and experts are demanding answers on how this incident occurred.

China-Linked UAT-8302 Exploits Shared Malware to Target Global Governments
Meet UAT-8302, a sophisticated China-linked threat group that's been secretly targeting governments worldwide, deploying custom malware to infiltrate and gather intel. Its recent attacks have hit government entities in South America and southeastern Europe, raising global cybersecurity concerns.

OpenAI Bolsters Cyber Defenses for Government Agencies
OpenAI is stepping up its game to protect government agencies from cyber threats by expanding its Trusted Access for Cyber program to federal, state, and local defenders. This move aims to bolster cyber defenses and keep sensitive information safe.

France's ID Agency Probes Breach Claiming 19M Records Stolen
A massive data breach at France's ID agency may have exposed a staggering 19 million records, putting the personal info of nearly a third of the country's population at risk. The breach, detected on April 15, involves the theft of sensitive data, including login IDs, names, email addresses, and dates of birth.