Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
Senior reporter at @CybersecurityDive.bsky.social covering all things digital security. I also co-host Hoth Takes. | Send me tips: bit.ly/contactejg
Pinned
Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
· Oct 1
New: The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center lost its federal funding at midnight. Here's my story about what happened, why it matters, and how the group — a critical resource for state and local governments — is trying to move forward: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ms-isac...
Yikes.
Politico is reporting that the breach at the Congressional Budget Office is "ongoing."
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
“Do NOT click on any links in emails from CBO. Do NOT share sensitive information with CBO colleagues over email, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom at this time,” the email to CBO staff reads.
Cybersecurity breach at Congressional Budget Office remains a live threat
Library of Congress employees were informed to take caution when emailing the office of the congressional scorekeeper.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Yikes.
"The provision, tucked into a measure to fund the legislative branch, appears to immediately allow for eight GOP senators to sue over their phone records being seized in the course of the investigation by Jack Smith ... into the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
Republicans have voiced outrage that Jack Smith looked at G.O.P. lawmakers’ phone records surrounding the Jan. 6 attack. Legislation to reopen the government would allow them to sue for $500,000 each.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
"The provision, tucked into a measure to fund the legislative branch, appears to immediately allow for eight GOP senators to sue over their phone records being seized in the course of the investigation by Jack Smith ... into the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Good @laurenfeiner.bsky.social story about the state of CISA that highlights potentially corrosive fears among the agency's critical infrastructure partners about the Trump administration's cuts and politicization: www.theverge.com/policy/81688...
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Good @laurenfeiner.bsky.social story about the state of CISA that highlights potentially corrosive fears among the agency's critical infrastructure partners about the Trump administration's cuts and politicization: www.theverge.com/policy/81688...
And then we'll get to do this all over again!
I know everyone is rightfully worked up over this govt funding bill but @timstarks.bsky.social and I found the cyber angle: if passed, CISA 2015 would go back into law until Jan 30 2026 cyberscoop.com/cisa-2015-sh...
Cyber information sharing law would get extension under shutdown deal bill
The Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Act of 2015 would go from expired to extended through Jan. 30.
cyberscoop.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
And then we'll get to do this all over again!
Special crossover edition with @patrickhowelloneill.com and @selenalarson.bsky.social's boy Ben!
November 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Special crossover edition with @patrickhowelloneill.com and @selenalarson.bsky.social's boy Ben!
"The model is conservative, assuming, for example, that [State] will fully sustain the programs that remain. As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children." www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"The model is conservative, assuming, for example, that [State] will fully sustain the programs that remain. As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children." www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
China is reportedly behind the newly disclosed hack of the Congressional Budget Office, and it may still have access to some CBO systems: www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
Congressional Budget Office hacked, China suspected in breach | CNN Politics
The Congressional Budget Office has been hacked, potentially exposing its communications with the offices of lawmakers, according to an email sent to congressional staff this week and obtained by CNN.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:09 PM
China is reportedly behind the newly disclosed hack of the Congressional Budget Office, and it may still have access to some CBO systems: www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
“Lairmore had testified that the sandwich ‘exploded all over’ his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
www.nbcnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:39 PM
“Lairmore had testified that the sandwich ‘exploded all over’ his chest and claimed he could smell mustard and onions. But a photo showed that the sandwich was still in its wrapper on the ground after it hit Lairmore in his bulletproof vest.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
CISA's filing in the shutdown layoffs lawsuit provides the first confirmed count of laid-off employees in the Stakeholder Engagement Division: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (h/t www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...)
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
November 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
CISA's filing in the shutdown layoffs lawsuit provides the first confirmed count of laid-off employees in the Stakeholder Engagement Division: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (h/t www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...)
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
CISA says employees are exempt from injunction b/c they're not in a union.
New: Google says it has discovered at least 5 malware families that use AI to rewrite their code and generate new capabilities on the fly, suggesting AI-powered malware is finally starting to take off. cloud.google.com/blog/topics/...
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
November 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
New: Google says it has discovered at least 5 malware families that use AI to rewrite their code and generate new capabilities on the fly, suggesting AI-powered malware is finally starting to take off. cloud.google.com/blog/topics/...
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
Report also has interesting stories about state actors' AI use.
Democrats get the statewide trifecta.
Democrat Jay Jones wins the election for Virginia attorney general, NBC News projects, overcoming a text message scandal that threatened to derail his candidacy in the final stretch of the race.
Democrat Jay Jones wins Virginia AG race, overcoming backlash to his violent texts
NBC News projects Jones has defeated the Republican incumbent Jason Miyares.
nbcnews.to
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Democrats get the statewide trifecta.
34-year-old Zohran Mamdani will become New York's first Muslim mayor.
BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC
November 5, 2025 at 2:40 AM
34-year-old Zohran Mamdani will become New York's first Muslim mayor.
Democrats hold the New Jersey governor's office.
BREAKING: Democrat Mikie Sherrill wins the New Jersey governor’s race, turning back a push from Republicans to build on Trump’s gains in the state, NBC News projects.
Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill wins New Jersey governor's race
Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the competitive race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, NBC News projects.
nbcnews.to
November 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Democrats hold the New Jersey governor's office.
Another history-making result in Virginia.
A seeming bit of history tonight as Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Asian American to win statewide office in Virginia - and the first Muslim woman to win statewide office *anywhere* in the United States.
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Another history-making result in Virginia.
First big (projected) result of the night.
BREAKING: Democrat Abigail Spanberger flips control of the Virginia governorship, becoming the first woman to lead the state, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/47Ljn7Z
November 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
First big (projected) result of the night.
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social looks at the consequences of layoffs and furloughs on the NSA's hacking and espionage missions, which may be faltering as people leave or sit at home: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
@ddimolfetta.bsky.social looks at the consequences of layoffs and furloughs on the NSA's hacking and espionage missions, which may be faltering as people leave or sit at home: www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
The EI-ISAC "tried to set up its own ...version of [CISA's] situation room for this year’s election. The effort failed because the organization, which lost federal funding this year, couldn’t afford the software licensing fees required to collect and share data..." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The EI-ISAC "tried to set up its own ...version of [CISA's] situation room for this year’s election. The effort failed because the organization, which lost federal funding this year, couldn’t afford the software licensing fees required to collect and share data..." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The intimidation included approaching country officials during coffee breaks to warn them they might not be able to transit via the US, or that they and their families could face restrictions on entering the country if they acted against American interests..." www.ft.com/content/4e0a...
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
"The intimidation included approaching country officials during coffee breaks to warn them they might not be able to transit via the US, or that they and their families could face restrictions on entering the country if they acted against American interests..." www.ft.com/content/4e0a...
"Mr. Lee picked up one of the phones, still in its box, and admired it. Then he asked how good the security was. Mr. Xi laughed. 'You can check if there’s a backdoor,' he said..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
That Time Xi Jinping Joked About Espionage
Xi Jinping gave two cellphones to South Korea’s president, who asked how secure they were. “You can check if there’s a backdoor,” he said with a laugh.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
"Mr. Lee picked up one of the phones, still in its box, and admired it. Then he asked how good the security was. Mr. Xi laughed. 'You can check if there’s a backdoor,' he said..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/w...
Really bad stuff. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/b...
November 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Really bad stuff. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/b...
Happy Halloween! 🎃🤖🐾🦇
November 1, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Happy Halloween! 🎃🤖🐾🦇
If you're not denying these facts, then how can you say there was no cover-up? 🤔 www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
October 31, 2025 at 10:30 PM
If you're not denying these facts, then how can you say there was no cover-up? 🤔 www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
"Nearly nine months after Trump became chair of the center and more than a month into its main season, ticket sales for the Kennedy Center’s three largest performance venues are the worst they’ve been in years..." www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Kennedy Center ticket sales have plummeted since Trump takeover
Nearly nine months into Trump’s oversight, sales for the three largest performance venues are the worst they’ve been since the pandemic, according to a Washington Post analysis.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:05 PM
"Nearly nine months after Trump became chair of the center and more than a month into its main season, ticket sales for the Kennedy Center’s three largest performance venues are the worst they’ve been in years..." www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
The FCC has published the text of the proposed order undoing its cyber requirements for telecoms, which will get a vote at next month's meeting: docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
October 30, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The FCC has published the text of the proposed order undoing its cyber requirements for telecoms, which will get a vote at next month's meeting: docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
It says the requirements lacked legal standing and wouldn't be as effective as "an agile and collaborative approach."
"'I'm sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter,' Mercer said in his email. 'I would strongly suggest dropping this story.'" www.propublica.org/article/paul...
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well…
www.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
"'I'm sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter,' Mercer said in his email. 'I would strongly suggest dropping this story.'" www.propublica.org/article/paul...