Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
Senior reporter at @CybersecurityDive.bsky.social covering all things digital security. I also co-host @hothtakes.bsky.social. | Send me tips: https://ericjgeller.com/contact.html
Pinned
Eric Geller
@ericjgeller.com
· Jan 9
New: My look at CISA's seven biggest challenges in 2026, from infrastructure protection and CIRCIA to election security and morale.
Experts said workforce cuts would hamper critical activities across the board. CISA said it's "sharpened its mission."
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-7-...
Experts said workforce cuts would hamper critical activities across the board. CISA said it's "sharpened its mission."
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/cisa-7-...
"The sheer saturation of new A.I. gambits, added to the mismatch with consumer priorities, gives this year’s NFL showcase the sector-specific recession-indicator vibes that have defined Super Bowls of the past." slate.com/technology/2...
An Annoying Trend Is Taking Over This Year’s Super Bowl Commercials—and It’s a Sign of Bleak Times Ahead
We’ve seen this game before, and it doesn’t end well for anyone.
slate.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM
"The sheer saturation of new A.I. gambits, added to the mismatch with consumer priorities, gives this year’s NFL showcase the sector-specific recession-indicator vibes that have defined Super Bowls of the past." slate.com/technology/2...
"The departures also have drained the U.S. attorney’s office as it prepares complex cases, including trials in the fatal attack on a Minnesota state lawmaker and in a terrorism case, and investigations into fentanyl trafficking."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Ms. Good’s vehicle, but Trump administration leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have departed, leaving the Minnesota U.S.…
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"The departures also have drained the U.S. attorney’s office as it prepares complex cases, including trials in the fatal attack on a Minnesota state lawmaker and in a terrorism case, and investigations into fentanyl trafficking."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
February 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Rob's Machiavellian master class on The Traitors has me fully invested. The way he's formed all these alliances and everyone overlooks him because he's too nice and the last person they'd suspect ... very Palpatine-coded. He's playing an incredible game.
February 6, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Rob's Machiavellian master class on The Traitors has me fully invested. The way he's formed all these alliances and everyone overlooks him because he's too nice and the last person they'd suspect ... very Palpatine-coded. He's playing an incredible game.
"Now that governments and universities are involved, he said, 'Everybody is walking on eggshells ... Faculty are walking on eggshells. Administrators are walking on eggshells. Students are walking on eggshells. And what you get is the opposite of free speech.'" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
How Universities and States Are Increasing Surveillance of Professors
Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain.
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
"Now that governments and universities are involved, he said, 'Everybody is walking on eggshells ... Faculty are walking on eggshells. Administrators are walking on eggshells. Students are walking on eggshells. And what you get is the opposite of free speech.'" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
With insecure edge devices representing a frequent entry point for hackers, CISA is ordering agencies to update devices running unsupported software, report on their use of unsupported hardware, and eventually replace those devices. www.cisa.gov/news-events/...
February 5, 2026 at 5:35 PM
With insecure edge devices representing a frequent entry point for hackers, CISA is ordering agencies to update devices running unsupported software, report on their use of unsupported hardware, and eventually replace those devices. www.cisa.gov/news-events/...
Hackers working for an Asian govt have breached critical infrastructure & govt agencies in at least 37 countries over the past year as part of a major espionage campaign, @paloaltonetworks.com said in a new report.
PAN isn't saying it's Beijing, but...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/asian-g...
PAN isn't saying it's Beijing, but...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/asian-g...
February 5, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Hackers working for an Asian govt have breached critical infrastructure & govt agencies in at least 37 countries over the past year as part of a major espionage campaign, @paloaltonetworks.com said in a new report.
PAN isn't saying it's Beijing, but...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/asian-g...
PAN isn't saying it's Beijing, but...
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/asian-g...
Um, what?
"Her team took an unspecified number of Puerto Rico's voting machines and additional copies of data from the machines as part of its investigation..."
"Her team took an unspecified number of Puerto Rico's voting machines and additional copies of data from the machines as part of its investigation..."
It was @asharangappa.bsky.social who first put this idea in my head, but really starting to feel like they're gonna try to get Maduro to cop to some insane 2020 election conspiracy in exchange for leniency
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Exclusive: US spy chief's office investigated voting machines in Puerto Rico
A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines, said Gabbard's office and three sources familiar with the pre...
www.reuters.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Um, what?
"Her team took an unspecified number of Puerto Rico's voting machines and additional copies of data from the machines as part of its investigation..."
"Her team took an unspecified number of Puerto Rico's voting machines and additional copies of data from the machines as part of its investigation..."
"One of her 4-year-old twins screamed at the sight of someone holding spray-on deodorant, mistaking it for pepper spray." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
What the Crackdown Has Done to Minneapolis Children
“It’s like living in fear all the time,” a teenager said about the federal raids that have shattered families.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
"One of her 4-year-old twins screamed at the sight of someone holding spray-on deodorant, mistaking it for pepper spray." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/u...
@martinmatishak.bsky.social has been doing great work on the Cyber Command/NSA beat. This is a remarkable story about "some of the most sophisticated action Cyber Command has taken against Iran in its nearly 16-year history." therecord.media/iran-nuclear...
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
@martinmatishak.bsky.social has been doing great work on the Cyber Command/NSA beat. This is a remarkable story about "some of the most sophisticated action Cyber Command has taken against Iran in its nearly 16-year history." therecord.media/iran-nuclear...
Mind-boggling decision by the Post here. Joe will be an incredible asset to whatever newsroom is smart enough to scoop him up next.
Most of the Washington Post’s tech reporters were laid off today, including me. I have loved my time at the paper, which is where I wanted to work from age 15. I take some consolation in not being among the survivors who will have to work harder with less for fewer readers. On to better things.
February 4, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Mind-boggling decision by the Post here. Joe will be an incredible asset to whatever newsroom is smart enough to scoop him up next.
Jiminy criminy
According to FOX 9, a Minneapolis federal judge demanded to know why DOJ is missing deadlines & AUSA Julie Le said, "The system sucks, this job sucks" & asked to be held in contempt so she could sleep.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
February 3, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Jiminy criminy
The Trump administration is still deciding how to structure an AI information sharing and analysis center to make it most valuable for govt & industry, a senior CISA official said at a conference today.
CISA's Nick Andersen also discussed CIRCIA and more.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ai-isac...
CISA's Nick Andersen also discussed CIRCIA and more.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ai-isac...
AI-ISAC inches forward under Trump administration
The U.S. government is exploring different options for how the information-sharing organization should work, an official said.
www.cybersecuritydive.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The Trump administration is still deciding how to structure an AI information sharing and analysis center to make it most valuable for govt & industry, a senior CISA official said at a conference today.
CISA's Nick Andersen also discussed CIRCIA and more.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ai-isac...
CISA's Nick Andersen also discussed CIRCIA and more.
www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ai-isac...
Senate Commerce RM Maria Cantwell says AT&T & Verizon invoked attorney-client privilege to block Mandiant from sharing its security assessments of their networks — even tho privilege doesn't apply w/ Congress. Cantwell wants chair Ted Cruz to hold a hearing. www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Senate Commerce RM Maria Cantwell says AT&T & Verizon invoked attorney-client privilege to block Mandiant from sharing its security assessments of their networks — even tho privilege doesn't apply w/ Congress. Cantwell wants chair Ted Cruz to hold a hearing. www.commerce.senate.gov/services/fil...
National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross today asked the tech industry to help the government streamline cyber regulations, improve info sharing, and otherwise implement Trump's cyber strategy (no release date yet). My report from today's ITI event: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/sean-ca...
February 3, 2026 at 7:09 PM
National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross today asked the tech industry to help the government streamline cyber regulations, improve info sharing, and otherwise implement Trump's cyber strategy (no release date yet). My report from today's ITI event: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/sean-ca...
“If this goes unchallenged, we are all complicit or vulnerable in allowing the Government to abuse its powers.” www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:36 PM
“If this goes unchallenged, we are all complicit or vulnerable in allowing the Government to abuse its powers.” www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
"'If somebody said it's business as usual [with federal election security support], he's full of s—t and lying,' [Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes] said. 'That's not true.'"
cyberscoop.com/cisa-electio...
cyberscoop.com/cisa-electio...
February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
"'If somebody said it's business as usual [with federal election security support], he's full of s—t and lying,' [Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes] said. 'That's not true.'"
cyberscoop.com/cisa-electio...
cyberscoop.com/cisa-electio...
"It is so anomalous for the Justice Department to seek a search warrant for reporting material in the first place that there is no established standard for what such applications should address."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
DOJ Failed to Address Press Law in Application to Search Washington Post Reporter’s Home
The Justice Department did not address a 1980 law that generally bars warrants for reporting material when it sought to seize a Washington Post reporter’s devices, an unsealed filing shows.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"It is so anomalous for the Justice Department to seek a search warrant for reporting material in the first place that there is no established standard for what such applications should address."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
"Rather than going to senior department or F.B.I. officials, Mr. Trump spoke directly to the frontline agents doing the granular work of a politically sensitive investigation in which he has a large personal stake." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Gabbard Arranges Trump Call With FBI Agents After Georgia Election Center Search
Tulsi Gabbard’s role in brokering the call and President Trump’s decision to directly press frontline agents on the inquiry are outside the bounds of typical procedure, The Times has learned.
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:30 PM
"Rather than going to senior department or F.B.I. officials, Mr. Trump spoke directly to the frontline agents doing the granular work of a politically sensitive investigation in which he has a large personal stake." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Interestingly, this story in which former acting CISA director Bridget Bean talks about the agency's need for "good leadership" subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026... doesn't mention that CISA employees loathed her and felt abandoned by her. My reporting on that: www.wired.com/story/inside...
‘People Are Scared’: Inside CISA as It Reels From Trump’s Purge
Employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency tell WIRED they’re struggling to protect the US while the administration dismisses their colleagues and poisons their partnerships.
www.wired.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Interestingly, this story in which former acting CISA director Bridget Bean talks about the agency's need for "good leadership" subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026... doesn't mention that CISA employees loathed her and felt abandoned by her. My reporting on that: www.wired.com/story/inside...
"As she was on the ground, the agents dumped out her purse, found her U.S. passport and left the scene." www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
U.S. citizen injured by federal agents in Salem who demanded to see “papers,” union says - Salem Reporter
A home care worker and union worker was pulled from her car and injured by federal agents Thursday according to a statement by SEIU 503. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the…
www.salemreporter.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"As she was on the ground, the agents dumped out her purse, found her U.S. passport and left the scene." www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
"A cloak-and-dagger mystery reminiscent of a John le Carré novel is swirling around the complaint, which is said to be locked in a safe. Disclosure of its contents could cause 'grave damage to national security,' one official said." www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Exclusive | Classified Whistleblower Complaint About Tulsi Gabbard Stalls Within Her Agency
Congress hasn’t seen the complaint, which was filed eight months ago with the U.S. intelligence community watchdog’s office.
www.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
"A cloak-and-dagger mystery reminiscent of a John le Carré novel is swirling around the complaint, which is said to be locked in a safe. Disclosure of its contents could cause 'grave damage to national security,' one official said." www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
If the U.S. and China go to war, some of Beijing's first cyberattacks will target manufacturing firms critical to national & economy security.
Will manufacturers — highly vulnerable & heavily targeted — be ready?
My new story w/ my colleague David Jones: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/manufac...
Will manufacturers — highly vulnerable & heavily targeted — be ready?
My new story w/ my colleague David Jones: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/manufac...
Manufacturers fortify cyber defenses in response to dramatic surge in cyberattacks
The IT/OT convergence and other trends are making the manufacturing industry’s networks more vulnerable and more frequently targeted, but sector leaders are working to improve their cyber posture.
www.cybersecuritydive.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:00 PM
If the U.S. and China go to war, some of Beijing's first cyberattacks will target manufacturing firms critical to national & economy security.
Will manufacturers — highly vulnerable & heavily targeted — be ready?
My new story w/ my colleague David Jones: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/manufac...
Will manufacturers — highly vulnerable & heavily targeted — be ready?
My new story w/ my colleague David Jones: www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/manufac...
Update here: Noem, Bondi, and Gabbard all backed out of speaking at the National Association of Secretaries of State's winter meeting today, barely 24 hours after NASS said they would attend.
Well, we didn't get DHS's Heather Honey or DOJ's Harmeet Dhillon today, but it turns out that their bosses, Secretaries Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi, along with DNI Tulsi Gabbard, have agreed to speak at this NASS conference tomorrow.
January 30, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Update here: Noem, Bondi, and Gabbard all backed out of speaking at the National Association of Secretaries of State's winter meeting today, barely 24 hours after NASS said they would attend.
God this sucks. She was sublime. RIP.
Breaking News: Catherine O’Hara, the comedian best known for her roles in “Home Alone,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Beetlejuice,” has died at 71.
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Actress, Dies at 71
The Emmy-winning comedian was a member of the influential Canadian sketch comedy series “S.C.T.V.”
nyti.ms
January 30, 2026 at 6:48 PM
God this sucks. She was sublime. RIP.