#NationalSecurity

US government excoriates Microsoft for ‘avoidable errors’ but keeps paying for its products

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April 5, 2024 at 10:37AM Government cybersecurity agencies criticize Microsoft for repeated security breaches that compromised government secrets. Despite demands for stricter action against the tech giant, Microsoft has faced no significant consequences and continues to receive substantial government contracts. Concerns about national security threats and calls for improved cybersecurity measures highlight the ongoing tension … Read more

Feds probe massive alleged classified US govt data theft and leak

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April 4, 2024 at 02:29PM The US Department of State is investigating a cyber incident in which a criminal known as IntelBroker claimed to have stolen and leaked classified information from national security agencies. The leaked data includes confidential communications, contact info for government and military officials, and personal details of around 100,000 victims. The … Read more

Finland confirms APT31 hackers behind 2021 parliament breach

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March 26, 2024 at 05:28PM The Finnish Police confirmed APT31 hacking group, linked to the Chinese MSS, behind the breach of Finland’s parliament in March 2021. A joint investigation revealed offenses including espionage and violation of communication secrecy, identifying one suspect. The U.S. and the UK have sanctioned individuals and entities related to APT31’s operations. … Read more

UK elections are unaffected by China’s cyber-interference, says deputy PM

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March 26, 2024 at 05:33AM UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, asserts that China’s attempts to undermine UK elections were unsuccessful. The cyberattack on the 2021 Electoral Commission compromised voters’ data. China-linked APT31 targeted UK parliamentarians, prompting sanctions by the UK and US. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) updated its guidance, and China is … Read more

Chinese State-Sponsored Hackers Charged, Sanctions Levied by US

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March 25, 2024 at 05:30PM Seven Chinese nationals have been charged by the US and the UK for their involvement in the activities of threat group APT31. Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways are: 1. The US and the UK have jointly charged seven Chinese nationals for operating as part of threat group … Read more

House Passes Bill Barring Sale of Personal Information to Foreign Adversaries

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March 21, 2024 at 11:12AM The US House of Representatives passed bipartisan bill H.R. 7520, prohibiting data brokers from selling Americans’ personal information to foreign adversary countries or entities. The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the legislation and covers various sensitive information types. The legislation aims to safeguard national security and individual … Read more

U.S. Sanctions Russians Behind ‘Doppelganger’ Cyber Influence Campaign

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March 21, 2024 at 04:54AM The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions against Russian nationals and their companies for cyber influence operations. They were accused of orchestrating disinformation campaigns targeting Europe and the U.S. under the name Doppelganger. This comes amidst legislative efforts to protect Americans’ sensitive data from foreign adversaries … Read more

US task force aims to plug security leaks in water sector

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March 20, 2024 at 02:39PM The US government urges states to improve water sector cybersecurity amid rising threats. The EPA plans to establish a Water Sector Cybersecurity Task Force to address vulnerabilities and adopt best practices. Recent attacks have raised awareness, prompting the EPA to pursue a concerted effort with state officials, backed by the … Read more

Pentagon Received Over 50,000 Vulnerability Reports Since 2016

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March 18, 2024 at 09:15AM The US Department of Defense has processed 50,000 reports through its vulnerability disclosure program, initiated after the success of the ‘Hack the Pentagon’ bug bounty program. Collaborating with platforms like HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and Synack, DoD expanded its bug bounty programs, saving an estimated $61 million and receiving over 45,000 vulnerability … Read more

Bill That Could Ban TikTok Passed in the House. Here’s What to Know

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March 14, 2024 at 07:57AM Lawmakers in Washington have passed a bill posing a potential nationwide ban on TikTok, unless its China-based owner ByteDance sells its stakes within six months. Concerns include data privacy and national security, with the possibility of impacting content creators and small businesses. The bill awaits Senate approval, with potential legal … Read more