David DiMolfetta
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social
Nextgov/FCW cybersecurity + intelligence reporter. Tips: ddimolfetta@govexec.com Signal: @ djd.99 X/Twitter: @ddimolfetta
Pinned
David DiMolfetta
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social
· Nov 10
(1/3) Hi all. My name is David, I cover U.S. federal cybersecurity policy, intelligence and a bit of national security for Nextgov/FCW in Washington, DC.
We are curious to hear from current or former government employees and officials about what the coming months will bring in this new admin.
We are curious to hear from current or former government employees and officials about what the coming months will bring in this new admin.
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command
The nomination marks a turning point for the electronic surveillance and hacking teams that have been without a permanent leader for eight months.
www.nextgov.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
A letter from the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee cites previous Nextgov/FCW reporting about a potential Russian backdoor into a Defense Department software suite:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Sen. Cotton urges top White House cyber official to protect open-source software
A letter from the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee cites previous Nextgov/FCW reporting about a potential Russian backdoor into a Defense Department software suite.
www.nextgov.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A letter from the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee cites previous Nextgov/FCW reporting about a potential Russian backdoor into a Defense Department software suite:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
My generation got to know him as one of three CNN reporters coming live from their Baghdad hotel room during the start of the first Gulf War. It was a new kind of war, carried live on air and he was one of the voices that brought it to us.
RIP
RIP
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Peter Arnett, who reported on the Vietnam and Gulf wars, has died
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Peter Arnett, who traveled the world covering wars from Vietnam to Iraq, has died.
apnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:30 AM
My generation got to know him as one of three CNN reporters coming live from their Baghdad hotel room during the start of the first Gulf War. It was a new kind of war, carried live on air and he was one of the voices that brought it to us.
RIP
RIP
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
There's been some sort of an incident during which a Latvian crew member tried to install a remote access trojan onto an Italian ferry on behalf of a foreign power.
Crewmember Arrested for Planting "Foreign" Malware on Italian Ferry
maritime-executive.com/article/crew...
Crewmember Arrested for Planting "Foreign" Malware on Italian Ferry
maritime-executive.com/article/crew...
Crewmember Arrested for Planting "Foreign" Malware on Italian Ferry
French authorities are investigating a serious cyber threat aboard a Mediterranean ferry: an onboard malware installation carried out at the directio...
maritime-executive.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:08 AM
There's been some sort of an incident during which a Latvian crew member tried to install a remote access trojan onto an Italian ferry on behalf of a foreign power.
Crewmember Arrested for Planting "Foreign" Malware on Italian Ferry
maritime-executive.com/article/crew...
Crewmember Arrested for Planting "Foreign" Malware on Italian Ferry
maritime-executive.com/article/crew...
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it will make 100 internship opportunities available to students participating in a government scholarship program that’s been hampered by federal hiring freezes enacted by the Trump administration:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
CISA opens 100 applications for CyberCorps students
Earlier hiring snags had forced the scholarship program to pause recruitment of top student talent for cyber jobs.
www.nextgov.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it will make 100 internship opportunities available to students participating in a government scholarship program that’s been hampered by federal hiring freezes enacted by the Trump administration:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
A NOTAM has been reissued: high risk in Venezuelan airspace over the next two months.
December 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
A NOTAM has been reissued: high risk in Venezuelan airspace over the next two months.
Notable tidbits from Rep. Garbarino’s McCrary visit today:
- Told me he’s disappointed Senate hasn’t approved Sean Plankey to lead CISA
- Said 10-year extension of 2015 cyber info-sharing law might not be possible
- Questioned recent FCC vote to reverse telecom security rules
- Told me he’s disappointed Senate hasn’t approved Sean Plankey to lead CISA
- Said 10-year extension of 2015 cyber info-sharing law might not be possible
- Questioned recent FCC vote to reverse telecom security rules
December 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Notable tidbits from Rep. Garbarino’s McCrary visit today:
- Told me he’s disappointed Senate hasn’t approved Sean Plankey to lead CISA
- Said 10-year extension of 2015 cyber info-sharing law might not be possible
- Questioned recent FCC vote to reverse telecom security rules
- Told me he’s disappointed Senate hasn’t approved Sean Plankey to lead CISA
- Said 10-year extension of 2015 cyber info-sharing law might not be possible
- Questioned recent FCC vote to reverse telecom security rules
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
In addition to expected projects on things like PQC, AI, and regulatory reform, the Trump administration's national cyber strategy will do the ritual dance of "we're going to revisit and fix every codified cyber process." www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Trump admin to revisit bedrock cyber policies as it implements new strategy
Corresponding executive actions on cybercrime and ransomware are in the works. The forthcoming cyber strategy also includes an offensive pillar focused on “preemptive erosion” of foreign adversaries’…
www.nextgov.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
In addition to expected projects on things like PQC, AI, and regulatory reform, the Trump administration's national cyber strategy will do the ritual dance of "we're going to revisit and fix every codified cyber process." www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
NEW: The White House’s upcoming cyber strategy includes parallel plans to examine and revise bedrock cyber policy frameworks like NSPM-13, PPD-41 and NSM-22:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Trump admin to revisit bedrock cyber policies as it implements new strategy
Corresponding executive actions on cybercrime and ransomware are in the works. The forthcoming cyber strategy also includes an offensive pillar focused on “preemptive erosion” of foreign adversaries’ ...
www.nextgov.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
NEW: The White House’s upcoming cyber strategy includes parallel plans to examine and revise bedrock cyber policy frameworks like NSPM-13, PPD-41 and NSM-22:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
I'm so used to telling people "you're not interesting enough to be targeted by spies", but ever since DPRK went all in on state-sponsored cybercrime, now it's more like "no, actually it's entirely plausible the dude who stole your Roblox works for a foreign intelligence agency".
December 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
I'm so used to telling people "you're not interesting enough to be targeted by spies", but ever since DPRK went all in on state-sponsored cybercrime, now it's more like "no, actually it's entirely plausible the dude who stole your Roblox works for a foreign intelligence agency".
Despite an overwhelming focus on DHS handling of immigration enforcement, a Thursday hearing on worldwide threats targeting the U.S. did feature some insights into the biggest cybersecurity challenges facing the nation:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Cyber takes back seat to immigration in global threats hearing
Witnesses briefly touched on concerns about encrypted messaging and the threat China poses in cyberspace, as well as efforts to protect infrastructure that supports the worldwide internet.
www.nextgov.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Despite an overwhelming focus on DHS handling of immigration enforcement, a Thursday hearing on worldwide threats targeting the U.S. did feature some insights into the biggest cybersecurity challenges facing the nation:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
Announced pick for No. 2 at NSA won’t get the job as another candidate surfaces
therecord.media/announced-ns...
therecord.media/announced-ns...
Announced pick for No. 2 at NSA won’t get the job as another candidate surfaces
Joe Francescon, announced in August as the NSA's new deputy director, will not be filling the role, sources told Recorded Future News, and the Trump administration has another pick in mind.
therecord.media
December 11, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Announced pick for No. 2 at NSA won’t get the job as another candidate surfaces
therecord.media/announced-ns...
therecord.media/announced-ns...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
NEW: 81 more women have joined a lawsuit against Army gynecologist Maj. Blaine McGraw.
“McGraw did not thrive because he was clever; he thrived because he operated within an Army culture that has repeatedly failed to protect women from sexual violence," the lawsuit says.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/p...
“McGraw did not thrive because he was clever; he thrived because he operated within an Army culture that has repeatedly failed to protect women from sexual violence," the lawsuit says.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/p...
81 alleged victims join suit against Army doctor accused of sexual misconduct | CNN Politics
81 additional alleged victims who say they were “subjected to invasive, unnecessary, and degrading touching, voyeurism, and covert filming” are joining a lawsuit originally filed in November against A...
www.cnn.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
NEW: 81 more women have joined a lawsuit against Army gynecologist Maj. Blaine McGraw.
“McGraw did not thrive because he was clever; he thrived because he operated within an Army culture that has repeatedly failed to protect women from sexual violence," the lawsuit says.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/p...
“McGraw did not thrive because he was clever; he thrived because he operated within an Army culture that has repeatedly failed to protect women from sexual violence," the lawsuit says.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/10/p...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
me dressed up and exercising at the airport before my 8 hour flight
December 9, 2025 at 3:20 AM
me dressed up and exercising at the airport before my 8 hour flight
President Trump’s national security strategy tasks the U.S. intelligence community with monitoring global supply chains as part of a sweeping goal to decouple the nation’s economy from foreign adversaries and advance American economic interests:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Trump’s national security strategy wants spy agencies to watch world supply chains
The paper puts much of its emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, while pushing for closer cyber collaboration with both regional partners and the private sector.
www.nextgov.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM
President Trump’s national security strategy tasks the U.S. intelligence community with monitoring global supply chains as part of a sweeping goal to decouple the nation’s economy from foreign adversaries and advance American economic interests:
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
New from 404 Media: DHS’s immigrant-hunting app just got removed from the Google Play Store. Let’s local cops do facial recognition on people, app says to contact ICE or not. I’m told Google workers took issue with app in an internal report. We revealed app in Nov
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
DHS’s Immigrant-Hunting App Removed from Google Play Store
The app, called Mobile Identify, was launched in November, and lets local cops use facial recognition to hunt immigrants on behalf of ICE. It is unclear if the removal is temporary or not.
www.404media.co
December 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New from 404 Media: DHS’s immigrant-hunting app just got removed from the Google Play Store. Let’s local cops do facial recognition on people, app says to contact ICE or not. I’m told Google workers took issue with app in an internal report. We revealed app in Nov
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
NEW: After Sen. Rick Scott placed a hold on Sean Plankey’s nomination to lead CISA, DHS officials and cyber policy execs have mobilized to get him confirmed before year’s end.
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
DHS, cyber industry mobilize to get CISA director nominee confirmed
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official.
www.nextgov.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
NEW: After Sen. Rick Scott placed a hold on Sean Plankey’s nomination to lead CISA, DHS officials and cyber policy execs have mobilized to get him confirmed before year’s end.
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official:
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
5 pages! Maybe the font will be very tiny? Nice scoop from @timstarks.bsky.social at @cyberscoop.bsky.social
Trump's (FIVE PAGE???) cyber strategy targeted for release next month. By @timstarks.bsky.social
Five-page draft Trump administration cyber strategy targeted for January release
Trump administration plans January 2026 release of a six-part national cybersecurity strategy, focusing on deterrence, regulations, workforce, procurement, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
cyberscoop.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:16 PM
5 pages! Maybe the font will be very tiny? Nice scoop from @timstarks.bsky.social at @cyberscoop.bsky.social
Confirming Politico: CISA tells staff to not speak with reporters, internal email shows
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA's director of public affairs told Nextgov/FCW.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA's director of public affairs told Nextgov/FCW.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
CISA tells staff to not speak with reporters, internal email shows
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy told Nextgov/FCW when asked for comment.
www.nextgov.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Confirming Politico: CISA tells staff to not speak with reporters, internal email shows
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA's director of public affairs told Nextgov/FCW.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA's director of public affairs told Nextgov/FCW.
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
New from me: The NSA recently achieved its goals to shed around 2,000 people from its workforce this year. The reductions include a mix of civilian employees who were terminated, voluntarily left or took deferred resignation offers.
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
NSA has met 2,000-person workforce reduction goal, people familiar say
A broader Pentagon goal to shrink the nation’s defense budget over the coming five years could potentially subject the agency to further downsizing.
www.nextgov.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New from me: The NSA recently achieved its goals to shed around 2,000 people from its workforce this year. The reductions include a mix of civilian employees who were terminated, voluntarily left or took deferred resignation offers.
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
Reposted by David DiMolfetta
New from me: House lawmakers have called on Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to testify next month on how Chinese hackers used Claude Code to automate most of a wide-reaching cyberespionage campaign.
More on @axios.com: www.axios.com/2025/11/26/a...
More on @axios.com: www.axios.com/2025/11/26/a...
Exclusive: Anthropic CEO called to testify before Congress about Chinese AI cyberattack
The request comes weeks after Anthropic said China used Claude Code in an espionage campaign.
www.axios.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:47 PM
New from me: House lawmakers have called on Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to testify next month on how Chinese hackers used Claude Code to automate most of a wide-reaching cyberespionage campaign.
More on @axios.com: www.axios.com/2025/11/26/a...
More on @axios.com: www.axios.com/2025/11/26/a...
NEW: A top military intel official issued a memo this month warning Army servicemembers of foreign adversaries’ continued attempts to gather intelligence by targeting personnel - including civilians and their families - via fake companies and recruiters:
www.nextgov.com/defense/2025...
www.nextgov.com/defense/2025...
Foreign spies are targeting Army soldiers, civilians and families, official warns
Current and former federal workers, especially those with security clearances, should be aware of the attempts, an Army intelligence chief said in a November memo.
www.nextgov.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:21 PM
NEW: A top military intel official issued a memo this month warning Army servicemembers of foreign adversaries’ continued attempts to gather intelligence by targeting personnel - including civilians and their families - via fake companies and recruiters:
www.nextgov.com/defense/2025...
www.nextgov.com/defense/2025...
NEW: ICE is tapping into a recruitment pipeline run by DHS to swiftly boost the intake of cyber and tech talent, a top agency official said Friday. Acting CIO Dustin Goetz also said the agency will need more personnel as it seeks to meet sweeping demands set by the White House.⬇️
November 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
NEW: ICE is tapping into a recruitment pipeline run by DHS to swiftly boost the intake of cyber and tech talent, a top agency official said Friday. Acting CIO Dustin Goetz also said the agency will need more personnel as it seeks to meet sweeping demands set by the White House.⬇️
Live: SEC to drop high-profile SolarWinds hack lawsuit
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
SEC to drop high-profile SolarWinds hack lawsuit
The landmark lawsuit garnered pushback from dozens of cybersecurity leaders last year.
www.nextgov.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Live: SEC to drop high-profile SolarWinds hack lawsuit
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...
www.nextgov.com/cybersecurit...