-
U.S. Sanctions NSO Group, Israeli Maker of Pegasus Spyware
The U.S. authorities said the NSO Group’s spyware helped authoritarian governments “silence dissent.” The new measures will limit NSO Group’s access to U.S. components and technology.
-
-
The Ripple Factor: Weather Extremes Amplify Economic Losses
Weather extremes can cause economic ripples along our supply chains. A new study shows that if they occur at roughly the same time the ripples start interacting and can amplify even if they occur at completely different places around the world.
-
-
Hackers-for-Hire Drive Evolution of Threat Landscape
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise. The new edition of the ENISA Threat Landscape (ETL) highlights the surge in cybercriminality motivated by monetization using ransomware or cryptojacking. Supply-chains attacks also rank highly among prime threats because of the significant potential they have in inducing catastrophic cascading effects.
-
-
Targeted: Masterminds of Global Ransomware Attacks Against Critical Infrastructure
Twelve individuals who were wreaking havoc across the world with ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure have been targeted as the result of a law enforcement and judicial operation involving eight countries.
-
-
Warning Issued Over the Unintended Consequences of Wind for Achieving Net Zero Targets
In the run-up to the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow, an expert on geoengineering and energy transition highlights the need for joined up thinking if the U.K. is going to find the optimal use of the North Sea to achieve Net Zero targets.
-
-
FCC Revokes China’s Telecom Rights to Operate in U.S.
The FCC on Tuesday revoked China’s Telecom rights to operate and provide services in the United States, and gave the company sixty days to terminate its operations. “Promoting national security is an integral part of the Commission’s responsibility to advance the public interest, and [Tuesday’s] action carries out that mission to safeguard the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure from potential security threats,” the FCC said.
-
-
U.S. Tightens Export Controls on Items Used in Surveillance of Private Citizens, other Malicious Cyber Activities
The Commerce Department has released an interim final rule, establishing controls on the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of certain items that can be used for surveillance of private citizens or other malicious cyber activities.
-
-
Piracy, Armed Robbery Incidents on the High Seas Decline, but Threats Remain
The first nine months of 2021 saw the lowest numbers of piracy and armed robbery incidents on the high seas since 1994. While the reduction of reported incidents is a welcome, the International Maritime Bureau warns that seafarers must remain vigilant as violence against crew remains high in many areas of the world.
-
-
Growing the U.S. AI Workforce
A new policy brief Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) addresses the need for a clearly defined artificial intelligence education and workforce policy.
-
-
U.S. Leads Global Conference to Combat Ransomware Attacks
The White House is holding a two-day international conference starting Wednesday to combat ransomware computer attacks on business operations across the globe that cost companies, schools and health services an estimated $74 billion in damages last year.
-
-
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Profits, Not Development
A new study found that, during the pre-Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) era, China and the U.S. were overseas spending rivals. However, China is now outspending the U.S. and other major powers on a more than 2-to-1 basis. Beijing’s lending to low-income and middle-income countries is provided on less generous terms than loans from OECD-DAC and multilateral creditors.
-
-
The Effect of Imports of Neodymium Magnets on U.S. National Security
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has initiated an investigation to determine the effects on U.S. national security from imports of Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets.
-
-
Improving Use of Flood Insurance
DHS S&T and partners will study improvements to flood insurance, identifying ways to expand the use of flood insurance to reduce the financial losses suffered by homeowners and creditors in future storms.
-
-
Mandates Give Rise to Booming Black Market for Fake Vaccine Cards
As more organizations demand proof of inoculation against COVID-19, the black market for fake vaccine cards appears to be booming. Legal experts compare phony vaccine cards to counterfeit money or fake drivers’ licenses.
-
-
U.S. Sanctions Russian-Based Cryptocurrency Exchange for Laundering Ransomware Money
A Russian-based cryptocurrency exchange has been sanctioned by the U.S. over its role in facilitating illegal payments from ransomware attacks. U.S. Treasury officials said it was the first sanctions leveled against a cryptocurrency exchange laundering money for cybercriminals.
-
More headlines
The long view
Startup Aims to Transform the Power Grid with Superconducting Transmission Lines
By Zach Winn
VEIR, founded by alumnus Tim Heidel, has developed technology that can move more power over long distances, with the same footprint as traditional lines.