Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a major priority for government and defense worldwide — one that some countries, such as China and Russia, consider the new global arms race. AI has the potential to support a number of national and international security initiatives, from cybersecurity to logistics and counter-terrorism.

Much like the long-standing debate around 5G, President Trump’s recent decision to sign an executive order that may see TikTok and WeChat banned, and has now evolved into a bidding war for TikTok’s U.S. operations with Oracle leading as the potential winner, has brought the world’s attention to the inherent security challenges that complex global digital communications and connectivity present.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf released the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA). This first-of-its-kind report synthesizes threat information across DHS including intelligence and operational components.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) have identified a malware variant — referred to as SLOTHFULMEDIA — used by a sophisticated cyber actor. In addition, U.S. Cyber Command has released the malware sample to the malware aggregation tool and repository, VirusTotal.

The Department of Commerce announced prohibitions on transactions relating to mobile applications (apps) WeChat and TikTok to safeguard the national security of the United States.

Siemens USA announced the launch of its technologically advanced cyber test range housed at its U.S. R&D headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. The COVID-19 pandemic and the related increase in cyberattacks has highlighted the need for facilities such as this to focus on prevention, detection, and response solutions.

U.S. federal agencies revealed criminal charges against five computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). All were charged of computer intrusions affecting over 100 victim companies in the United States and abroad, including software development companies, computer hardware manufacturers, telecommunications providers, social media companies, video game companies, non-profit organizations, universities, think tanks, and foreign governments, as well as pro-democracy politicians and activists in Hong Kong.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has consistently observed Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS)-affiliated cyber threat actors using publicly available information sources and common, well-known tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to target U.S. Government agencies.

In September 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence (CTTV Framework) and now offers this corresponding Public Action Plan demonstrating the Department’s efforts to combat emerging threats and improve information sharing.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in partnership with the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), released the Election Risk Profile Tool, a user-friendly assessment tool to equip election officials and federal agencies in prioritizing and managing cybersecurity risks to the Election Infrastructure Subsector.