Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (24 June 2021)

Subscribe to my newsletter, The Wavelength, if you want updates on global technology developments four times a week. Other Developments The Senate confirmed former National Security Agency Deputy Director Chris Inglis to be the United States’ (U.S.) first National Cyber Director. This position was created upon the advice of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) and … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (24 June 2021)

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (22 April 2021)

Other Developments In response to new vulnerabilities turned up by FireEye, the United States (U.S.) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued Emergency Directive (ED) 21-03 “requiring federal civilian departments and agencies running Pulse Connect Secure products to assess and mitigate any anomalous activity or active exploitation detected on their networks.” Media accounts describe persistent … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (22 April 2021)

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (20 April 2021)

Other Developments A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives wrote the President asking for funding to stimulate semiconductor production in the United States (U.S.) per provisions in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 116-283). In a press release issued by one of the signatories, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the Members stated:We write … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (20 April 2021)

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (19 April 2021)

Other Developments Google prevailed against Oracle in their borderline epic legal battle over whether Google’s use of 11,500 lines of Oracle’s Java code represented infringement of a copyright or fair use. Oracle had won in a federal appeals court, which left Google facing $8 billion in liability. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (19 April 2021)

White House Issues Supply Chain EO and Asks Congress For $37 Billion To Help Production of Semi-Conductors

The Biden Administration orders an assessment of key U.S. supply chains, including policy changes. The White House is also seeking funding to help ease the semi-conductor shortage. As rumored, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on United States (U.S.) supply chains. Executive Order (EO) 14017, “America’s Supply Chains” directs the new administration to undertake … Continue reading White House Issues Supply Chain EO and Asks Congress For $37 Billion To Help Production of Semi-Conductors

FCC Denies Trump Administration’s Request To Block Ligado

The FCC denies the NTIA petition, but language in the FY 2021 NDAA all but pauses the project. Earlier this month, the Trump Administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) denied the petition to stay submitted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to stop the FCC’s April 2020 decision to let Ligado proceed with “a … Continue reading FCC Denies Trump Administration’s Request To Block Ligado

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (5 January 2021)

Further Reading “China Used Stolen Data To Expose CIA Operatives In Africa And Europe;” “Beijing Ransacked Data as U.S. Sources Went Dark in China;” “Tech Giants Are Giving China A Vital Edge In Espionage” By Zach Dorfman — Foreign Policy. This terrifying trio of articles lays bare the 180 degree change in espionage advantage the … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (5 January 2021)

Final NDAA Agreement, Part II

There are AI, 5G, and supply chain provisions in the national security policy bill the Armed Services Committee have agreed upon. So, it appears I failed to include all the technology goodies to be found in the final FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). And so, I will cover the provisions I missed yesterday … Continue reading Final NDAA Agreement, Part II

Further Reading, Other Development, and Coming Events (7 December)

Further Reading “Facebook steps up campaign to ban false information about coronavirus vaccines” By Elizabeth Dwoskin — The Washington Post. In its latest step to find and remove lies, misinformation, and disinformation, the social media giant is now committing to removing and blocking untrue material about COVID-19 vaccines, especially from the anti-vaccine community. Will the … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Development, and Coming Events (7 December)

Armed Services Committees Agree On Final NDAA

The annual defense policy bill creates a new National Cyber Director and addresses other technology issues. Last week, the negotiators agreed on a final FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that could get passed as early as this week. To no great surprise, President Donald Trump has threatened to veto the annual policy and … Continue reading Armed Services Committees Agree On Final NDAA