Homeland & Cybersecurity
The latest coverage of the Department of Homeland Security and cyber threats around the globe.
Homeland Security’s Mullin says spy power lapse makes it more difficult to monitor threats
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Sunday the lapse of a key surveillance tool that enables the government to collect foreign intelligence has made it more difficult to keep Americans safe ahead of several high-profile events, including the World Cup and America’s 250th celebrations.
Senate intelligence chairman seeks federal probe of Chinese AI-related influence operation
China is engaged in a covert influence campaign to prevent the development of U.S. data centers needed for artificial intelligence capabilities, according to the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Three GOP congressmen probe foreign efforts to block U.S. data center build-out
A trio of Republicans requested evidence of foreign influence campaigns working to slow U.S. artificial intelligence progress and block the development of the infrastructure needed to power it.
Lawmakers propose bill to block sale of robots built in China
A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation to block the importation of robots made in China, as experts sound the alarm over security risks from advanced robots made by U.S. rivals.
California tech CEO arrested after feds say he supplied sanctioned computer equipment to Iran
A California tech CEO is facing 20 years in prison after allegedly earning millions by selling U.S.-origin computer networking equipment to Iran’s military and nuclear establishments, Justice Department officials said.
Uber capping internal use of AI coding software after blowing through budget
Uber is setting limits on how much employees can spend on artificial intelligence agents after its workers blew through their yearly AI coding budget in just four months.
Markwayne Mullin refutes Delaney Hall detainees’ allegations, reports no health violations found
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that no health violations have been found in the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, which has become the latest flash point of anti-ICE violence.
Trump signs order creating voluntary cybersecurity for AI models before their release
President Trump quietly signed an executive order promoting artificial intelligence and doubling down on cybersecurity efforts, less than two weeks after postponing a signing ceremony hours before it was scheduled.
Sen. Bernie Sanders teases bill to give the public ownership in AI companies
Sen. Bernard Sanders announced he will soon propose a bill to give the public a 50% ownership stake in the largest artificial intelligence companies in the U.S.
Apparent hack targets Space Force official’s Instagram account, posts pro-Iran content
An apparent hack targeted a key U.S. Space Force official’s Instagram account recently and reportedly posted pro-Iran and anti-American content.
Nvidia bets on AI personal computers with new ‘superchip’ powering Windows laptops
Nvidia on Monday unveiled new powerful chips that would bring advanced artificial intelligence functions into laptops and desktop computers, with the new personal computer models from brands including Microsoft and Dell set to roll out later this year.
‘Five-alarm fire’: Lawmakers say Pentagon must act after smartphone data used to target U.S. troops
The ability of adversaries to use commercial location data from smartphones to find and target U.S. troops in the Middle East is a “five-alarm fire” that demands immediate action, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said Thursday.
‘Go back’: DHS secretary tells hunger-strike migrants to deport back home for better food
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told hunger-striking migrants to allow themselves to be deported back home if they don’t like the food they’re being served at an ICE detention facility in New Jersey.
The danger of digital footprints: How ‘ubiquitous technical surveillance’ threatens U.S. military
An adversary could transform the digital footprints created by modern smartphones into grid coordinates, which can then be used to target U.S. troops with deadly precision, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command warned recently.
‘Worst client’: ICE has become a major headache for the Justice Department
A federal appellate court judge delivered an epic burn to the Department of Justice during oral arguments this month in a case where the government was attempting to defend ICE’s aggressive posture in making arrests at churches.
Multimedia
Document: Cybersecurity 2018: Online Security and Safety in Government, Industry and Civil Society
Download the Special Report available in the January 29, 2018, edition of The Washington Times. (3.8 MB)
