U.S. undertook cyber operation against Iran as part of effort to secure the 2020 election | China halts Ant Group’s blockbuster I.P.O. | Europe and the US are drifting apart on tech
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U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency have taken recent actions to ensure that foreign actors do not interfere in the 2020 election, including an operation in the last two weeks against Iran, U.S. officials said. Gen. Paul Nakasone, who leads both the NSA and the military’s cyber command did not address any specific operation Tuesday but said in an interview with reporters he was “very confident in actions” taken against adversaries “over the past several weeks and the past several months to make sure that they’re not going to interfere in our elections.” Washington Post
A dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong was postponed one day after Chinese regulators summoned Jack Ma and other executives of the financial technology giant. The New York Times
The presidential campaign has been largely devoid of foreign policy, much less pesky questions about data flows, so the convulsions in transatlantic tech remain a preoccupation for U.S. policy wonks and industry officials. But for those wonks and officials charged with securing access to Europe’s rich markets, there is growing alarm. The EU's moves to keep data in the bloc, and away from cloud storage providers like Amazon and Microsoft, have proved particularly concerning. Politico
World
Why countries interfere in elections
Vox
An expert explains the history of world powers’ interventions in elections.
‘Fire hose’ of health innovation risks going down the drain
FT
Covid-19 reinforces the need for global co-operation in the nascent digital healthcare industry.
Europe and the US are drifting apart on tech. Joe Biden wouldn’t fix that.
Politico
The presidential campaign has been largely devoid of foreign policy, much less pesky questions about data flows, so the convulsions in transatlantic tech remain a preoccupation for U.S. policy wonks and industry officials. But for those wonks and officials charged with securing access to Europe’s rich markets, there is growing alarm. The EU's moves to keep data in the bloc, and away from cloud storage providers like Amazon and Microsoft, have proved particularly concerning.
USA
The election:
U.S. undertook cyber operation against Iran as part of effort to secure the 2020 election
Washington Post
U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency have taken recent actions to ensure that foreign actors do not interfere in the 2020 election, including an operation in the last two weeks against Iran, U.S. officials said. Gen. Paul Nakasone, who leads both the NSA and the military’s cyber command did not address any specific operation Tuesday but said in an interview with reporters he was “very confident in actions” taken against adversaries “over the past several weeks and the past several months to make sure that they’re not going to interfere in our elections.”
U.S. Fires Up ‘All Government’ War on Cyber Election Threats
Bloomberg
Haunted by Russia’s brazen effort to meddle in the last election, federal and state officials have erected what they believe are formidable barriers to thwart cyber-attacks ahead of Tuesday’s presidential vote.
What will TV and social networks do if Trump prematurely declares victory?
CNN
If President Trump comes out and prematurely claims victory on Election Night, what will television networks and social media websites do?CISA begins work on national network of cyber technical institutes
FedScoop
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has begun work on a national network of cybersecurity technical institutes. Together with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, CISA awarded $2 million to the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute to develop a plan for the institutes.7 Ways to Get Through the Next Few Days
The New York Times
Americans have heard a lot about threats to the 2020 election. But one of the greatest threats may be a loss of faith in our electoral system itself.
Misinformation and cyber attacks:
U.S. Cyber Command Expands Operations to Hunt Hackers From Russia, Iran and China
The New York Times
Building on a 2018 effort, Cyber Command sent teams to Europe, the Middle East and Asia to learn more about how adversaries could threaten the election this year.
Suspicious robocall campaign warning people to ‘stay home’ spooks voters nationwide
Washington Post
A Department of Homeland Security official said the FBI was investigating the call, which, along with new robotexts that surfaced in Michigan, prompted warnings about misinformation.How to protect yourself from digital attacks this U.S. election season
Accessnow
This election season, digital activists are at increased risk of police surveillance, cyber attacks, harassment, and censorship in the U.S. Black activists face unlawful surveillance, including invasive social media monitoring. To ensure that you can exercise your rights safely, we’ve compiled some digital security tips with you in mind. The following tips are generated with Infogram. Be sure to check your privacy-enhancing browser extensions for the best view experience.FBI investigating robocalls urging people to 'stay home' on Election Day
Reuters
The FBI is looking into a spate of mysterious robocalls urging people to stay home on Election Day as the nation remains on high alert to ensure voting is not compromised, a Department of Homeland Security official said Tuesday.
The Technology 202: Here's how Silicon Valley may rise - or fall - to today's crucial election test
Washington Post
Silicon Valley’s efforts all come down to this — the final day of voting and the critical period when officials around the country will be tallying the results. It’s possible there could be a lengthy period of counting ballots, some of which could be contested in various states, because of a surge in mail-in voting. That means the the tech companies could face additional challenges in addressing falsehoods on their platforms with even more power to sway public opinion.
These Are Facebook's Internal Rules on Voter Suppression and Disinformation
Vice News
Leaked moderation slides show that Facebook has a series of hyper-specific rules about how you're allowed to discourage people from voting.
China
China Halts Ant Group’s Blockbuster I.P.O.
The New York Times
A dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong was postponed one day after Chinese regulators summoned Jack Ma and other executives of the financial technology giant.
Misinformation on WeChat Attempts to Frighten Chinese Americans Out of Voting
KQED
At least two dozen groups on the Chinese-owned social media app WeChat have been circulating misinformation that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is “preparing to mobilize” the National Guard and “dispatch” the military to quell impending riots, apparently in an attempt to frighten Chinese Americans into staying home on Election Day.
Australia
Government must take cyber threat to democracy seriously
The Strategist
@TimWattsMP
With voting underway in the US, the eyes of the world are focused on America’s democratic process. Unfortunately, so is the attention of groups of state-backed hackers from around the world as the US’s adversaries seek to interfere in the election. Australia lacks an ongoing institutional framework to build resilience against cyberattacks on non-governmental democratic institutions, the Australian MP argues.
Isentia ransomware attack expected to cost at least $7 million
itnews
Media monitoring provider Isentia has put the immediate cost of a “significant” ransomware attack on its flagship intelligence and insights service last week at at least $7 million. The incident, disclosed on Tuesday last week, disrupted the operation of the company's SaaS platform, Mediaportal.
Ransomware: Should employers bite the bait?
HRD
Sydney-based media monitoring firm Isentia is investigating a possible cyber-attack that appears to have crippled its online portal, the company told the Australian Stock Exchange. “Isentia is taking urgent steps to contain the incident and conduct a full investigation into what happened and how to avoid a repeat occurrence in the future,” CEO Ed Harrison said.
Pacific
Vanuatu set to adopt new cyber crime law
RNZ
Vanuatu is poised to adopt a new cybercrime law. The new bill enables action against new threats such as cyberbullying, stalking and digital hate crimes, while providing important protections for free speech, the public good, and identity protection.
Barrett bolsters Vanuatu’s HF radio capability
Defence Connect
The global communications provider has delivered high-frequency radio equipment to the island nation under the Vanuatu-Australia Defence Cooperation Program.
South Asia
Strategic Partnership will aid smooth work in the event of regional crisis: Australia High Commissioner
The Hindu
Artificial Intelligence, 5G, rare earth products, ground station tracking facilities to support Gaganyaan are among the areas covered, says Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell.
Misc
YouTube Cut Down Misinformation. Then It Boosted Fox News.
The New York Times
To battle false information, YouTube cut its recommendations to fringe channels and instead promoted major networks, especially Fox News.
Two Chrome Browser Updates Plug Holes Actively Targeted by Exploits
Threatpost
Patches for both the Chrome desktop and Android browser address high-severity flaws with known exploits available in the wild.
Hacker group uses Solaris zero-day to breach corporate networks
ZDNet
Mandiant, the investigations unit of security firm FireEye, has published details today about a new threat actor it calls UNC1945 that the security firm says it used a zero-day vulnerability in the Oracle Solaris operating system as part of its intrusions into corporate networks. Regular targets of UNC1945 attacks included the likes of telecommunications, financial, and consulting companies, the Mandiant team said in a report published today.
Events
The Indo-Pacific: Geostrategic challenges and opportunities for Australia and Germany
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) are delighted to present our upcoming webinar ‘The Indo-Pacific: Geostrategic challenges and opportunities for Australia and Germany’. Speakers Linda Reynolds, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Peter Jennings and Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy.
Date & Time: 5 November 2020, 5:45 pm - 6:45pm.
Register: here.
Jobs
Senior Researcher / Project Lead
ASPI ICPC
ASPI’s International Cyber Policy Centre (ICPC) has an outstanding opportunity for a senior researcher to lead a one-year project looking at leadership networks across Asia. Interviews will start immediately.
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
ASPI
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has an outstanding opportunity for a highly experienced, strategic communications professional to contribute to the launch of a new, high profile global project. The Senior Strategic Communications Officer will be an integral member of a bespoke team that will liaise with the Australian government, foreign governments, industry and civil society to build up this exciting new project. The position will work closely with the Executive Director and the Institutes’ s International Cyber Policy Centre.