The Environmental Protection Agency issued a memo to state governments today requiring local water systems to meet basic cybersecurity standards.
Why it matters: High-profile cyberattacks on water systems in Florida and California in recent years have showcased how insecure the nation's cash-strapped water utilities are in their digital systems.
President Joe Biden's new national cyber strategy is teeing up a more aggressive, military-involved fight against ransomware.
Driving the news: In the strategy released Thursday, ransomware is officially declared a national security threat, unlocking new authorities for the military and intelligence community to use some of its strongest cyber tools against ransomware gangs.
Founders Fund has quietly cut the size of its eighth venture capital fund in half, from around $1.8 billion to around $900 million, Axios has learned from multiple sources.
Why it matters: This is a shot across the VC industry's bow by firm founder Peter Thiel, and will force peers to explain why they're not doing the same. It also puts added pressure on firms that currently are in market.
Nearly 70% of drivers say they're afraid of fully self-driving cars, according to a new AAA survey — up from 55% a year ago. About a quarter say they're unsure, while just 9% say they trust them.
Why it matters: Carmakers are rushing to add automation to new models. But this survey shows they have lots more work to do to convince drivers the features are safe.
President Biden’s nominee for an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, Gigi Sohn, appears stalled in committee and is in danger of failing to reach the full Senate floor for a vote, according to Democratic Senate officials.
Why it matters: If her nomination falters, the FCC will remain deadlocked with two Republican and two Democratic commissioners — hindering the Biden administration’s effort to implement key parts of the president’s agenda.
They stand five feet tall and glide at three miles per hour, patrolling office buildings for everything from broken fire alarms to suspicious activity: Security robots are starting to replace human guards in workplaces and beyond.
Two American men were arrested in Kansas City Thursday on suspicion of illegally exporting aviation technology to Russia, prosecutors announced.
Driving the news: Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, and Douglas Edward Robertson, 55, were arrested in an investigation involving the Department of Justice's KleptoCapture task force, an interagency group dedicated to enforcing sanctions in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
