Biden administration nears completion of second cybersecurity executive order with plethora of agenda items

Federal agencies would have to address everything from AI to cloud security to access management, sources told CyberScoop.

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Microsoft’s Brad Smith should prepare for ‘ritual punishment’ before House hearing

Some experts are doubtful the Homeland Security Committee testimony and questioning of Microsoft chief Brad Smith will lead to significant change.

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The 2024 race promises to be ‘very, very active’ in terms of foreign and domestic meddling, says former CISA chief

Chris Krebs said he expects to see Russia, China and Iran — and even domestic groups — attempt to influence and disrupt the presidential race.

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Inside TikTok’s proposal to address US national security concerns

TikTok has presented a detailed proposal to a secretive federal panel that will decide its future in the U.S. that relies extensively on the American tech giant Oracle to mitigate perceived security risks of the viral video app. A TikTok official speaking on condition of anonymity described the company’s proposal to the Committee on Foreign […]

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Biden’s cyber strategy expected to boost federal role in protecting critical systems from hackers

The national cyber director’s office is leading the drafting of the document.

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Federal prosecutors going after alleged Russian hacker mistakenly turn over unrelated case documents, lawyer says

The material includes information on non-related people and phone records, and Russian businessmen possibly associated with the Trump administration, according to a court document.

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DOJ drops Trump-era ‘China Initiative’ but remains focused on nation-state threats

The U.S. Department of Justice is closing down its controversial “China Initiative,” instead launching a broader strategy toward countering multiple threats from several countries, a senior department official said Wednesday. The new “Strategy for Countering Nation-State Threats” will focus the department’s resources on multiple concurrent threats from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, such as transnational repression, foreign malign influence and cyberthreats, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen in remarks at George Mason University. “We see nations such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea becoming more aggressive and more capable in their activity than ever before,” Olsen said, adding that the new strategy “is threat driven,” and an attempt to counter malign activity from multiple countries, not just China. The China Initiative — launched during the Trump administration to group espionage, intellectual property theft and cybecrime cases involving Chinese suspects under one effort — was criticized for alleged racial […]

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No decisions yet on any changes to TikTok or Huawei cases, White House says

The Biden administration is still reviewing how it will approach any national security challenges posed by Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok and telecommunications provider Huawei, the White House said Monday. “We need a comprehensive strategy … and a more systematic approach that actually addresses the full range of these issues,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said of China-related technology and national security concerns that intensified during the Trump administration. That means “play[ing] a better defense” when it comes to preventing alleged Chinese theft of U.S. intellectual property, she said. President Joe Biden is “firmly committed to making sure that Chinese companies cannot misappropriate and misuse American data,” Psaki added. She was short on specifics, however, citing an “ongoing review” by the new administration of a range of China-related technology and national security issues. The press secretary did not address, for example, whether the Biden administration will continue an executive order […]

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Iranian venture firm investing in cyber tech is subject of US sanctions

The U.S. sanctioned an Iranian venture capital firm on Wednesday that the Treasury Department said invests in cyberspace and information technology. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control identified the firm, Barkat Ventures, as an arm of an organization that the supreme leader of Iran controls called EIKO, short for Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order. The sanctions also targeted a second Komeini-controlled organization, Astan Quds Razavi. “These institutions enable Iran’s elite to sustain a corrupt system of ownership over large parts of Iran’s economy,” said Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “The United States will continue to target those who enrich themselves while claiming to help the Iranian people.” Barkat Ventures has a small profile outside Iran. An apparent company website cites its desire to invest in technologies such as the internet of things, electronic health, cryptocurrency and software as a service. Its overall goal is to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs in “knowledge-based” businesses, […]

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