Risky Bulletin Risky Bulletin: Noem fires FEMA IT team over alleged cybersecurity failures
Sep 1, 2025
FEMA's IT team faces the axe over alleged cybersecurity failures, raising eyebrows about safety protocols. A significant WhatsApp vulnerability receives a crucial patch, yet the threat landscape continues to evolve. Baltimore falls victim to a $1.5 million scam, highlighting dire security lapses in municipal systems. The podcast also dives into recent legal battles involving cybersecurity breaches and the implications of AI chatbots in our digital lives, underscoring the urgency of protecting sensitive information.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
FEMA IT Leadership Purged After Audit
- The Trump administration abruptly removed FEMA's senior IT leaders after an audit flagged major security lapses.
- The audit found missing MFA, use of prohibited legacy protocols, and unpatched critical vulnerabilities.
Phone Hacks Led To Targeted Strike
- Israel reportedly used location data from hacked bodyguards' phones to target Iranian officials.
- A missile strike hit a bunker where Iranian officials were meeting during the conflict.
Zero-Day Chain Hit Apple And WhatsApp
- Meta patched a WhatsApp zero-day used to exploit Apple devices as part of an active chain.
- Amnesty reported the zero-days were used in a spyware campaign over three months.