Administration Issues Cyber EO

Twitter A new American government? Then there must be a new cybersecurity EO. Cocktail Party The Biden Administration rolled out a web of interlocking directions centering on key agencies the White House will now need to manage. Some of the actions come due in the next few months while others have longer timelines. As always, … Continue reading Administration Issues Cyber EO

U.S. Intelligence Community Again Finds Russian Efforts To Influence Election

The IC at the end of the Trump Administration found Russian interference in the 2020 election but did not assess the impact of these efforts. The IC also found Iranian and possibly PRC interference. The United States Intelligence Community (IC) released the assessment on foreign interference with the 2020 election and found that the Russian … Continue reading U.S. Intelligence Community Again Finds Russian Efforts To Influence Election

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (16 February 2021)

Further Reading “India cuts internet around New Delhi as protesting farmers clash with police” By Esha Mitra and Julia Hollingsworth — CNN; “Twitter Temporarily Blocked Accounts Critical Of The Indian Government” By Pranav Dixit — BuzzFeed News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government again shut down the internet as a way of managing unrest or discontent … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (16 February 2021)

IC Concedes PATRIOT Act Used To Collect Browsing

The top U.S. intelligence official admits the PATRIOT Act has been used to surveil a website and its visitors. This admission could result in a narrowing of FISA to stop this and related practices. In a follow-on letter to correct his previous letter the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) acknowledged the Federal Bureau of Investigation … Continue reading IC Concedes PATRIOT Act Used To Collect Browsing

U.S. Alleges Russian and Iranian Election Interference

U.S. security services called out Russian and Iranian efforts to hack and disrupt the U.S. election. There was a split between the DNI’s view and those in the intelligence agencies, however. The United States (U.S.) government announced that the Russian Federation and Iran have undertaken operations to disrupt and undermine next month’s U.S. election. The … Continue reading U.S. Alleges Russian and Iranian Election Interference

Congressional Cybersecurity Commission Releases Annex To Final Report

A Congressional cyber panel is adding four recommendations to its comprehensive March report.   First things first, if you would like to receive my Technology Policy Update, email me. You can find some of these Updates from 2019 and 2020 here. On 2 June, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) released an annex to its final … Continue reading Congressional Cybersecurity Commission Releases Annex To Final Report

Executive Order on Securing the United States Bulk-Power System

A new EO will result in the systems and equipment from certain nations, most likely including China, being barred from the U.S. electric grid on account of the risk they pose to national security.   Late last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) that would direct the Secretary of Energy and other … Continue reading Executive Order on Securing the United States Bulk-Power System