Maggie Miller
@maggiemiller.bsky.social
Cybersecurity reporter for Politico based in DC. Also history, dog, and good TexMex taco nerd.
[email protected], DM for Signal
[email protected], DM for Signal
Reposted by Maggie Miller
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
DHS expanding citizenship system for voter verification, despite concerns about potential disenfranchisement
Twenty-six states are in line to use a revamped DHS system to check their voter rolls for non-citizens, although the network has raised concerns about privacy and accuracy — including if it could kick...
www.nextgov.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:02 PM
NEW: DHS is pushing ahead in building a searchable national citizenship system it wants to use to go through voter rolls.
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
Over 46 million voters have been run through the checks already.
www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
With the House coming back into session, the House Budget Committee has scheduled a hearing for next week — on oversight of the recently hacked Congressional Budget Office. Expect the intrusion to a top subject of conversation: budget.house.gov/hearing/over...
Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office | The U.S. House Committee on the Budget - House Budget Committee
The Official U.S. Congressional website of The Republican Budget Committee
budget.house.gov
November 11, 2025 at 7:56 PM
With the House coming back into session, the House Budget Committee has scheduled a hearing for next week — on oversight of the recently hacked Congressional Budget Office. Expect the intrusion to a top subject of conversation: budget.house.gov/hearing/over...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
CISA's stakeholder engagement division hasn't sent updates about the F5 intrusion in the last week, an industry source tells me.
and following RIF notices this month, the division is expected to host a town hall Thursday to discuss those cuts.
new from me: www.axios.com/2025/10/21/f...
and following RIF notices this month, the division is expected to host a town hall Thursday to discuss those cuts.
new from me: www.axios.com/2025/10/21/f...
The top U.S. cyber agency isn't doing as much outreach during F5 cyberattack
It's unclear if the lack of communication is due to the government shutdown or earlier workforce cuts.
www.axios.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
CISA's stakeholder engagement division hasn't sent updates about the F5 intrusion in the last week, an industry source tells me.
and following RIF notices this month, the division is expected to host a town hall Thursday to discuss those cuts.
new from me: www.axios.com/2025/10/21/f...
and following RIF notices this month, the division is expected to host a town hall Thursday to discuss those cuts.
new from me: www.axios.com/2025/10/21/f...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
I know this stuff isn't surprising anymore but I really can't stress enough how much everybody involved with CISA and cyber tried to keep the field nonpolitical and nonpartisan before this administration.
On CISA media call just now to discuss the F5 hack and source code breach, CISA staffer interrupted the discussion to blame the Democrats for the government shutdown and forcing workers to work without pay
October 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I know this stuff isn't surprising anymore but I really can't stress enough how much everybody involved with CISA and cyber tried to keep the field nonpolitical and nonpartisan before this administration.
Reposted by Maggie Miller
"We’re a little bit more on our own": State and local cybersecurity officials band together as the Trump administration turns its back on them. Nice story by @maggiemiller.bsky.social: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: States send out the ‘bat signal’ for help responding to cyber threats amid federal cuts
The collective frustration over the federal government’s cuts to key cyber programs and agencies is being turned into action.
subscriber.politicopro.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"We’re a little bit more on our own": State and local cybersecurity officials band together as the Trump administration turns its back on them. Nice story by @maggiemiller.bsky.social: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
EXCLUSIVE: Trump is expected to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman, the acting leader of both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, to formally lead both agencies.
Trump expected to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman to lead NSA, Cyber Command
Hartman has the support of top officials at the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Defense Department.
www.politico.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Trump is expected to nominate Lt. Gen. William Hartman, the acting leader of both the NSA and U.S. Cyber Command, to formally lead both agencies.
Reposted by Maggie Miller
BREAKING: Social Security Administration chief data officer and whistle-blower Charles Borges has resigned after bombshell report that SSA put highly-sensitive data at risk. He sent out an email to colleagues moments ago.
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
August 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
BREAKING: Social Security Administration chief data officer and whistle-blower Charles Borges has resigned after bombshell report that SSA put highly-sensitive data at risk. He sent out an email to colleagues moments ago.
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Scoop for Pros: Laurie Buckhout, acting assistant secretary of Defense for cyber policy, is stepping down from the role next week ahead of moving to another position in the Trump administration: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Top Pentagon cyber official to step down next week
The change leaves the Pentagon’s cyber policy office without leadership in the short term.
subscriber.politicopro.com
August 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Scoop for Pros: Laurie Buckhout, acting assistant secretary of Defense for cyber policy, is stepping down from the role next week ahead of moving to another position in the Trump administration: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
First in Politico: @wyden.senate.gov is calling on the Supreme Court to commission an independent review to examine both the recent massive breach of federal court systems, and into a similar breach dating back to 2020. More here for Pros: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Dem senator urges Supreme Court to spearhead investigation into judiciary data breach
subscriber.politicopro.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:51 PM
First in Politico: @wyden.senate.gov is calling on the Supreme Court to commission an independent review to examine both the recent massive breach of federal court systems, and into a similar breach dating back to 2020. More here for Pros: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
With @jsaks.bsky.social: Joe Francescon, former DOD and NSC official under the first Trump administration, has been picked as the next deputy director of the NSA: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Joe Francescon picked as next NSA deputy director
The former defense and national security official is set to take over after a major leadership shake-up at the agency.
www.politico.com
August 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
With @jsaks.bsky.social: Joe Francescon, former DOD and NSC official under the first Trump administration, has been picked as the next deputy director of the NSA: www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
New for Pros: Networks of at least seven federal agencies were breached stemming from the Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability disclosed last month, according to two individuals familiar with the matter. Microsoft has blamed Chinese hackers for the breach. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: At least 7 federal agencies compromised through Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability
subscriber.politicopro.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:07 AM
New for Pros: Networks of at least seven federal agencies were breached stemming from the Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability disclosed last month, according to two individuals familiar with the matter. Microsoft has blamed Chinese hackers for the breach. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
Scoop: The State Department is abruptly terminating its big cyber-defense contract with Peraton, the main cyber contractor for State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. State plans to re-award the contract to GDIT, per two people familiar with the matter.
August 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Scoop: The State Department is abruptly terminating its big cyber-defense contract with Peraton, the main cyber contractor for State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. State plans to re-award the contract to GDIT, per two people familiar with the matter.
With @jsaks.bsky.social: While the federal judiciary is adopting new security measures, sources told us relevant committees on the Hill were briefed on the breach last month. One source briefed said the new incident is tied to a data breach of the federal courts dating back to 2020.
On Wednesday, we exclusively reported that the electronic case filing system used by the federal courts was compromised in a widespread hacking effort across several states.
Now, the federal courts are adopting additional security measures.
Now, the federal courts are adopting additional security measures.
Federal courts step up security following major hack of electronic filing system
Lawmakers were quietly briefed on the hack last month and are now seeking more information on the fallout.
www.politico.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
With @jsaks.bsky.social: While the federal judiciary is adopting new security measures, sources told us relevant committees on the Hill were briefed on the breach last month. One source briefed said the new incident is tied to a data breach of the federal courts dating back to 2020.
Reposted by Maggie Miller
A new group of former government officials is designing a hypothetical U.S. Cyber Force, @martinmatishak.bsky.social reports, even as a congressionally chartered study continues to evaluate whether one should exist. therecord.media/panel-to-cre...
Panel to create roadmap for establishing US Cyber Force
The Commission on Cyber Force Generation will develop potential routes Congress and the White House could follow in creating a separate cyber service and aim to deliver them in time for next year’s…
therecord.media
August 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A new group of former government officials is designing a hypothetical U.S. Cyber Force, @martinmatishak.bsky.social reports, even as a congressionally chartered study continues to evaluate whether one should exist. therecord.media/panel-to-cre...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
NEW: Trump's One Big Beautiful bill earmarked $1,000,000,000 (yep, a billion) over 4 years for "offensive cyber operations" for the Department of Defense.
It's unclear exactly what that means, but could include zero-days, spyware, implants, infrastructure, etc.
techcrunch.com/2025/07/14/t...
It's unclear exactly what that means, but could include zero-days, spyware, implants, infrastructure, etc.
techcrunch.com/2025/07/14/t...
Trump administration to spend $1 billion on 'offensive' hacking operations | TechCrunch
A top Democrat criticized the move to spend a billion on offensive hacking operations as the budget guts a billion from U.S. cyber defense.
techcrunch.com
July 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
NEW: Trump's One Big Beautiful bill earmarked $1,000,000,000 (yep, a billion) over 4 years for "offensive cyber operations" for the Department of Defense.
It's unclear exactly what that means, but could include zero-days, spyware, implants, infrastructure, etc.
techcrunch.com/2025/07/14/t...
It's unclear exactly what that means, but could include zero-days, spyware, implants, infrastructure, etc.
techcrunch.com/2025/07/14/t...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
We’re taking @politico.com to arbitration this week for its unethical use of AI and we’re asking for your support! bit.ly/PENGuild
July 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
We’re taking @politico.com to arbitration this week for its unethical use of AI and we’re asking for your support! bit.ly/PENGuild
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), chair of the House Armed Services cyber committee, is retiring from Congress at the end of this term, he announced today. He has been vocally against cyber changes made by the Trump admin, such as the firing of Gen. Tim Haugh, and cuts to CISA.
June 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), chair of the House Armed Services cyber committee, is retiring from Congress at the end of this term, he announced today. He has been vocally against cyber changes made by the Trump admin, such as the firing of Gen. Tim Haugh, and cuts to CISA.
I was happy to appear on two podcasts out today to discuss the cyber element of the conflict between Iran and Israel, and how the U.S. could be impacted. First, for an episode of iHeartPodcasts’s TechStuff: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Week in Tech: The Music Industry Strikes Back
Podcast Episode · TechStuff · 06/27/2025 · 36m
podcasts.apple.com
June 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I was happy to appear on two podcasts out today to discuss the cyber element of the conflict between Iran and Israel, and how the U.S. could be impacted. First, for an episode of iHeartPodcasts’s TechStuff: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
Patrick Ware, a senior executive at the National Security Agency, has been named the new top civilian leader at U.S. Cyber Command.
therecord.media/patrick-ware...
therecord.media/patrick-ware...
NSA’s Patrick Ware takes over as top civilian at U.S. Cyber Command
The new executive director of U.S. Cyber Command — the No. 3 position at the digital warfighting organization — is NSA veteran Patrick Ware.
therecord.media
June 26, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Patrick Ware, a senior executive at the National Security Agency, has been named the new top civilian leader at U.S. Cyber Command.
therecord.media/patrick-ware...
therecord.media/patrick-ware...
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a hearing June 12 to consider both the noms of Sean Cairncross for National Cyber Director and Sean Plankey to head CISA — despite Plankey not testifying at today’s hearing: www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.hsgac.senate.gov
June 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has scheduled a hearing June 12 to consider both the noms of Sean Cairncross for National Cyber Director and Sean Plankey to head CISA — despite Plankey not testifying at today’s hearing: www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Maggie Miller
We're proud our AI agreement has safeguards for journalists jobs-and company ethics, to allow AI use in a way that works for us, not against us. @politico.com already agreed that AI-generated content should be subject to the same standards as human-written articles. It needs to follow the contract
Politico’s Newsroom Is Starting a Legal Battle With Management Over AI
Politico has rules about AI in the newsroom. Staffers say those rules have been violated—and they’re gearing up for a fight.
www.wired.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
We're proud our AI agreement has safeguards for journalists jobs-and company ethics, to allow AI use in a way that works for us, not against us. @politico.com already agreed that AI-generated content should be subject to the same standards as human-written articles. It needs to follow the contract
Reposted by Maggie Miller
New from 404 Media: iconic hacking con HOPE has sold 50% fewer tickets this year, with event just a few months away. Organizers say it's due to U.S. immigration crackdown. A speaker already pulled out, said friends' devices seized at border. Will impact the event www.404media.co/hacker-confe...
Hacker Conference HOPE Says U.S. Immigration Crackdown Caused Massive Crash in Ticket Sales
One scheduled speaker has also pulled out of the New York-based event and specifically pointed to Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
www.404media.co
May 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
New from 404 Media: iconic hacking con HOPE has sold 50% fewer tickets this year, with event just a few months away. Organizers say it's due to U.S. immigration crackdown. A speaker already pulled out, said friends' devices seized at border. Will impact the event www.404media.co/hacker-confe...
DISA, the Pentagon agency focused on securing DOD networks, will lose 10% of its workforce as part of cuts to personnel and resignations, the agency’s top official told senators today, though the agency is seeking to rehire in some roles. For Pros: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Pentagon’s IT agency to lose 10 percent of workforce to cuts and resignations
Cuts to the Defense Information Systems Agency are part of a larger trimming of staff at DOD.
subscriber.politicopro.com
May 21, 2025 at 11:06 PM
DISA, the Pentagon agency focused on securing DOD networks, will lose 10% of its workforce as part of cuts to personnel and resignations, the agency’s top official told senators today, though the agency is seeking to rehire in some roles. For Pros: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...