CyberWire Daily When politics break the firewall.
Oct 1, 2025
Tim Starks, a Senior Reporter at CyberScoop, delves into the alarming findings of a Senate Democrats' report on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He highlights that DOGE has operated outside privacy and cybersecurity regulations, sparking concerns about agency practices. The discussion also touches on bipartisan oversight efforts and how agencies have reacted to these findings. Starks warns citizens to stay vigilant about cybersecurity issues, emphasizing the importance of public engagement in governance.
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Federal Cyber Programs Lapse
- Two major federal cybersecurity programs lapsed due to congressional funding gridlock, weakening threat sharing and state-local grants.
- Experts warn this will reduce defenses, especially for smaller jurisdictions that rely on federal support.
Global Forum Stresses Resilience
- Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh emphasized AI's dual role as defense and attack enabler and the need for resilience.
- Leaders stressed standards, cooperation, and capacity building to counter disinformation and low-cost AI exploits.
Harden OT Against Removable Media
- NIST's new guidance urges strict physical, procedural, and technical controls for removable media in OT environments.
- Implement secure storage, malware scanning, and data sanitization for USB devices used in firmware updates.