Tag: us government
116 articles
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns Amid Strained Pentagon Ties
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is stepping down from his role after serving for less than two years, sparking a new chapter for the Department of the Army. His departure comes amid reports of strained ties with the Pentagon and a conversation with President Trump about the Army's future.
US Launches 'Watershed 250' to Bolster Water Sector Cybersecurity
The US has launched Project Watershed 250, a game-changing initiative that brings together top cyber and AI experts to safeguard America's water systems from growing cyber threats. This six-month pilot in Texas marks a major step forward in the nation's cybersecurity strategy, uniting state, industry, and federal efforts to put America's safety first.
AI Kill Switch Act Mirrors Clipper Chip's Flawed Design
Policymakers are racing to prevent AI disasters, but a proposed kill switch law may be backfiring - mirroring the flawed design of a notorious 90s surveillance chip. The AI Kill Switch Act could give a federal agency sweeping powers to shut down cutting-edge AI systems, but is it a solution waiting for a problem?
US Agencies Targeted in Chinese Cyber Espionage Operation
The US Department of Justice made a telling edit to their recent press release, quietly changing the wording from "victims" to "among the targets" of a China-linked hacking group that hit several high-profile US agencies. This subtle shift highlights the scope of a brazen cyber espionage operation that compromised sensitive government networks.
FBI Warns of Chinese Hacker Group QTFY's Infrastructure Attacks
Meet QTFY, a notorious Chinese hacker group that's been wreaking havoc on US government and critical infrastructure networks with its custom-built QScan platform, capable of conducting over 2 million scanning and penetration testing tasks in just one day. This sophisticated tool has helped QTFY identify and exploit targets with alarming speed and accuracy.
US Government Cyber Experts Warn of AI-Driven Security Challenges
The US Coast Guard faces a daunting task in keeping its vast network secure, with 1,500 global locations - including remote sites in Alaska and Maine that are only accessible by snowmobile - making routine maintenance and patching a logistical nightmare. This dispersed footprint poses significant cyber security challenges, especially when combined with environmental constraints.
Army Cyber Command Pursues Dedicated AI Funding for Enhanced Defenses
The Army Cyber Command is pushing for a dedicated AI funding line to supercharge its defensive cyber operations and stay ahead of emerging threats. This strategic move will likely become a top budget priority for the foreseeable future.
US Urges AI Sector to be Designated Critical Infrastructure
The US government is being urged to recognize the AI sector as critical infrastructure, a designation that would highlight its importance to the country's well-being and security. This call to action comes from a new report by Americans for Responsible Innovation, which argues that the AI sector already has all the hallmarks of a vital industry.
Senate P pares Back Federal Paid Leave Bill
The fight for federal paid leave is heating up - will workers gain a guaranteed 12 weeks off to care for themselves, loved ones, or support a family member recovering from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking? A bipartisan bill in the House and a Senate proposal are vying for support.
US Research Security Strategy Unveils New Safeguards
The National Security Science and Technology Strategy introduces cutting-edge safeguards to shield America's research and innovation edge from evolving threats, ensuring the country's economic and military strength remains unmatched. By embracing novel security solutions, experts can safeguard the nation's science and technology ecosystem.
Congress Faces Funding Deadline Crunch
With the new fiscal year looming, can Congress overcome its differences and strike a funding deal before it's too late? The clock is ticking down to a make-or-break moment for lawmakers returning from recess.
US Agencies Warn of AI-Driven Attacks on Siemens PLCs
US agencies have sounded the alarm on a growing threat: hackers are using artificial intelligence to launch automated attacks on critical infrastructure, including factories, power plants, and water systems, by targeting Siemens PLCs. This active threat has prompted a joint warning from the NSA, CISA, FBI, Department of Energy, and Environmental Protection Agency.
Pentagon Targets Expired Satellites with Deorbiting Tech Contracts
The Pentagon is taking aim at expired satellites with cutting-edge deorbiting technology contracts, recently awarding $8.4 million to three innovative companies - D-Orbit, Firefly Aerospace, and Katalyst Space - to design and demonstrate spacecraft that can safely capture and remove dead satellites from orbit. This Deorbit-as-a-Service effort is a major step towards giving the US government flexible, on-demand access to orbital logistics.
US Weighs Nationalizing AI Giants OpenAI and Anthropic
As the AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic face growing headwinds, including public backlash and market turbulence, some experts believe the US government should consider nationalizing these companies before they stumble. With their valuations already taking a hit, now may be the perfect time for the government to step in and catch them before they fall.
US Enlists Private Sector in Cybercrime Hacking Operations
The US government has taken a bold step in the fight against cybercrime, enlisting the help of the private sector to tackle transnational criminal organizations in a newly signed presidential memorandum. This move has sparked reactions ranging from cautious optimism to alarm, as experts weigh the potential benefits and risks of this unprecedented collaboration.
US Grants Private Firms License to Hack Back Against Cybercrime Groups
The US government has just given private cybersecurity firms the green light to hack back against foreign cybercrime groups that threaten American interests, marking a major shift in the country's cyber warfare strategy. This bold move targets transnational crime groups, not nation-states, and paves the way for covert surveillance and cyber operations.
US Authorizes Private Firms to Hack Foreign Cybercrime Groups
The US has taken a bold step in the fight against cybercrime, granting private firms the authority to hack foreign cybercrime groups in a bid to combat the staggering $20.8 billion lost by US consumers to cyber-enabled crime in 2025. This new power, enabled by a presidential memorandum, allows private security companies to apply for approval to conduct cyber operations against these malicious organizations.
US Authorizes Private Sector in Offensive Cyber Strikes
The White House is taking a bold stance against transnational cyber threats, authorizing the private sector to join forces with federal law enforcement on offensive cyber strikes to disrupt foreign cyber actors targeting the US. This new public-private program unlocks every available tool to protect Americans from cyber-enabled crime.
US Bolsters Air Defenses as Trump Golfs Amid Heightened Threats
As President Trump tees off at his New Jersey golf course, the US is ramping up its air defenses - a move that's especially timely, given the heightened threat landscape. Meanwhile, Trump jokes about missile threats, seemingly unfazed, with a Humvee-mounted Avenger air defense system visible just behind him.
US Abruptly Halts Voting System Security Review
The government's sudden halt of a voting system security review has left experts stunned, with the CEO of Mojave Research, Jason Wareham, calling it one of the worst decisions of his life. The six-week federal engagement, which had grown to involve around 60 people, was abruptly shut down just as the team was set to press forward.
Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill
The Senate has just approved a stopgap funding bill, passing it with a strong bipartisan vote of 90-6-1 to keep federal agencies funded until December 11. This temporary measure averts an immediate shutdown risk, but sets a new deadline for September showdowns.
US Lawmakers Scrutinize Scam-Fighting Coordination
US lawmakers are pushing for better coordination in scam-fighting efforts, calling for a unified leader to tackle the issue with the urgency of a combat operation. Currently, there's no single entity in charge across agencies, leaving scam networks to easily relocate and evade enforcement.
Agencies Stonewall Probes Into Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency
Despite a recent Government Accountability Office report revealing that over 200 people worked for Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, investigators are still in the dark on basic oversight questions due to a lack of cooperation from numerous agencies. Many records remain unprovided, leaving crucial details about employee ethics trainings and financial disclosures unknown.
US Agencies Redefine Customer Experience with AI, Data Analytics
US agencies are revolutionizing customer experience with AI and data analytics, and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is leading the charge by putting CX at the forefront of its operations. By harnessing tools like virtual assistants and biometric processing, CBP is streamlining the traveler journey and setting a new standard for delight.