Tag: us government
80 articles
US Agencies Deploy Biometric Glasses, Sparking Surveillance Fears
Imagine a pair of smart glasses that can scan faces and instantly match them to records in multiple federal databases, raising serious concerns about surveillance and personal privacy. This technology, powered by facial recognition and other biometric signals, has sparked fears about the potential for real-time identification and the reliability of database records.
US Cyber Officials Tighten Patching Deadlines Amid AI-Driven Threats
US cyber officials are considering a drastic reduction in patching deadlines, from two weeks to just three days, as AI-driven threats rapidly escalate and attackers gain unprecedented speed in discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities. This proposed shift reflects a urgent response to the evolving threat landscape, where AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the speed and efficiency of cyber attacks.
US Government Faces Crucial Overhaul Beyond Restoration
The US government's damage runs far deeper than a simple fix, with over 200,000 federal jobs eliminated and critical programs gutted - a daunting reality that demands more than just a Band-Aid solution. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warns that piecing together the fragments won't be enough to restore the country to its former state.
US Air Force Completes Modifications on VC-25B Bridge Aircraft
The US Air Force has successfully completed modifications and flight testing on the VC-25B Bridge aircraft, a luxurious Boeing 747-8i jet donated by Qatar for presidential use. The aircraft is now set to receive its new paint scheme and is on track for delivery to the Presidential Airlift Group by summer 2026.
Pentagon Eyes Flood of Reconciliation Funds for Defense Contracts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the floodgates are about to open, promising a surge in defense contracts as a massive $152 billion in funding is set to be unleashed, with only $26 billion allocated so far. The pending contracts are expected to prioritize key initiatives, including munitions, nuclear modernization, and new ships.
CISA Rebounds as Funding Deal Bolsters Cyber Defenses
With the record 75-day shutdown finally over, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency can breathe a sigh of relief as a new funding deal brings its operations back to normal, bolstering the nation's cyber defenses. The bipartisan measure provides a much-needed $64.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
US Agencies Issue Zero Trust Guidance for OT Security
US government agencies have just released a game-changing guide to help protect critical infrastructure systems with practical, layered security strategies. The new zero-trust guidance provides a tailored approach for operational technology environments, balancing safety and uptime needs with robust security measures.
US Weighs Critical Infrastructure Status for Data Centers
Protecting data centers is a must, and considering them part of the country's critical infrastructure is a crucial step towards achieving that goal. This idea was recently discussed at a House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, where lawmakers and industry experts explored the possibility of designating data centers as a standalone critical infrastructure sector.
Pentagon Proposes Name Change to Department of War
The Pentagon has made a surprising proposal to Congress: rename the Defense Department to the Department of War, a change that would serve as a fundamental reminder of the importance of war and defense. If implemented, the name change would be rolled out in a cost-effective way, with minimal disruption and no significant impact on the budget.
US Cautiously Adopts AI-Powered Cyber Defense Tool
The US is taking a cautious step forward in AI-powered cyber defense with Anthropic's Mythos, a tool that could revolutionize defensive work by speeding discovery and analysis. Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia envisions a future where AI bots can outsmart malicious bots, but acknowledges that Mythos' true effectiveness in real-world networks remains to be seen.
US Spy Agencies Face AI Workforce Overhaul Challenges
The US spy agencies are racing to revamp their AI workforce to stay ahead of adversaries, with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency aiming to complete a major workforce and IT transformation within three to five years. This overhaul will enable the agency to safely harness AI and keep pace with rival nations.
Ex-DOD Leaders Challenge Pentagon's Anthropic Designation as Illegal
Former national security officials are challenging the Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, calling it a politically motivated move that's legally flawed and actually undermines national security. They argue that the designation was a misuse of authorities meant to address genuine threats, rather than a legitimate national security concern.
US Warns of Coordinated AI Model Extraction Campaigns by Foreign Adversaries
The US government has sounded the alarm on a critical threat: foreign adversaries are launching coordinated, large-scale campaigns to steal American AI capabilities, specifically targeting the distillation of advanced US AI models into smaller, lighter-weight versions. To combat this, the White House is directing federal agencies to collaborate with the private sector to develop best practices for protection.
Pentagon Rapidly Deploys 100,000 Custom AI Agents
The Pentagon has made a groundbreaking leap with its custom AI agents, deploying an astonishing 100,000+ agents in record time and racking up over 1.1 million user sessions. This explosive adoption has seen an average of 180,000 sessions per week, showcasing the military's eagerness to harness the power of AI.
Cybersecurity Nominee Plankey Withdraws Amid Senate Gridlock
Sean Plankey, a highly qualified cybersecurity expert with a background at the Department of Energy and National Security Council, has withdrawn his bid to lead the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency after a 13-month confirmation process stalled in the Senate. His nomination, which had initially received committee approval, ultimately succumbed to procedural delays and partisan holds.
Trump Names Execs to Lead Space Force Acquisition, NRO
President Trump has nominated two top defense executives, Erich Hernandez-Baquero and Roger Mason, to lead major US space acquisition and reconnaissance organizations. This move comes as the Space Force is set to receive a massive 342% funding boost to $19.1 billion for procurement in fiscal 2027.
CISA Nominee Plankey Withdraws Amid Senate Gridlock
Sean Plankey, the nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has withdrawn his nomination, citing Senate gridlock that had stalled his confirmation for 13 months. In a letter, he asked President Trump to remove his nomination, expressing support for the department's leadership.
Pentagon Abruptly Ousts Navy Secretary Phelan
In a surprise move, the Pentagon announced that Navy Secretary John C. Phelan is leaving his post, effective immediately, with Undersecretary Hung Cao stepping in as Acting Secretary. Phelan's sudden departure was met with a brief but gracious farewell from the Pentagon, thanking him for his service to the Navy and the US.
CISA Warns of Active Cisco SD-WAN Exploits
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a high-priority warning to federal agencies, ordering them to patch three critical Cisco SD-WAN vulnerabilities within four days after discovering they're being actively exploited by hackers. This urgent directive comes after Cisco patched the flaws in its Catalyst SD-WAN Manager platform.
Gorka's Absence Exposes US Counterterrorism Gap
With Iranian threats against US targets making headlines, the glaring absence of a counterterrorism doctrine from Sebastian Gorka, the counterterrorism czar, has left a gaping hole in the US response to foreign threats. The question remains: how will the government respond to emerging threats without a clear guiding framework in place?
CISA Warns of Active Exploitation of SD-WAN Flaw
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has sounded the alarm on a newly discovered SD-WAN flaw that's already being exploited by attackers, giving US government agencies just four days to secure vulnerable systems. Time is of the essence in this urgent directive, which CISA has framed as an operational emergency.
US Cyber Strategy Advances with Executive Orders on Horizon
The US national cyber strategy is gaining momentum, with National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross confirming that its execution is actively underway. Executive orders are likely on the horizon, leaving us wondering what's next and who will lead the charge.
CISA Warns of Exploited Windows Task Host Vulnerability
Stay one step ahead of cyber threats by securing your Windows systems - a recently exploited vulnerability in Windows Task Host could let attackers escalate privileges and take full control of your machines. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has flagged this issue as high-risk, urging swift action to protect affected systems.
CISA Awaits Senate Confirmation of Director Plankey Amid Rising Cyber Threats
As cyber threats escalate and budget cuts loom, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is in urgent need of a Senate-confirmed director - will Secretary Mullin help get the job done by urging the Senate to confirm Sean Plankey? Time is of the essence, with the nation's cyber security hanging in the balance.