In The News

Russia and US Election Systems: New York Times

David E. Sanger and Catie Edmondson July 27, 2019
The US Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a heavily redacted report describing Russian intrusion into US election systems in all states. Richard Burr, the Republican committee chairman, said the US had been “blindsided,” with only a handful of federal and state officials detecting the intrusion. Hackers could have deleted or changed voter data, though there is no evidence that happened. “...

US Blacklists Huawei: Reuters

Sijia Jiang and Michael Martina May 16, 2019
The US president signed an executive order US firms from using telecommunications equipment made by firms deemed to pose a national security threat and placed Huawei and 70 affiliates on an exports blacklist. The moves could disrupt Huawei’s march toward 5G technology and “likely ban the firm from acquiring U.S. components and technology without government approval,” reports Reuters. The firm...

Russia Exports, Bans Fake News: Business Insider

Sinéad Baker March 20, 2019
Investigations by governments and internet companies point to Russian meddling during election campaigns, including the 2016 Brexit vote and the US presidential race, with outlandish social media messages and promotion of falsehoods. Yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law outlining penalties for distribution of whatever the state decides is fake news. “With this new law, Russia...

Modern Diplomacy: Advanced Persistent Cyber Threats

Al Lewis January 31, 2019
Global online connectivity presents and exposes many vulnerabilities. Writing for Modern Diplomacy, Al Lewis explains that advanced persistent cyber threats share six characteristics with terrorism: “asymmetry, cost effectiveness, contributions of loose associations, will to succeed, impossibility to completely defend, and contagion.” However, those waging cyber-attacks, unlike terrorists, are...

BBC: Mass Data Attack on German Politicians

January 4, 2019
The most sensitive data is not secure online. A cyberattack targeted hundreds of Germany politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, along with celebrities and journalists. “Contacts, private chats and financial details were put out on Twitter which belong to figures from every political party except the far-right AfD,” reports BBC News. Twitter suspended the account with 17,000 followers,...

Times of India: Orwellian Option

Nayan Chanda December 19, 2018
US-Sino trade tensions run high, especially since the arrest of a Huawei Technologies executive in Canada. Huawei reports it supplies equipment to 45 of the world’s 50 largest telecommunications companies, so the trade war could soon ensnare other nations like India. “Three of India’s top telephone carriers use Huawei equipment and the company has been invited to take part in the next generation...

Reuters: US Issues Alert on Utility, Infrastructure Cyberattacks

Dustin Volz and Timothy Gardner March 17, 2018
The US has publicly accused Russia of waging cyberattacks against the power grids and other key infrastructure sectors over the past two years. Some facilities and companies may not yet realize they have been infiltrated by malware, phishing and remote access. “The campaign targeted engineers and technical staff with access to industrial controls, suggesting the hackers were interested in...