Overnight Cybersecurity: Ex-NSA contractor indicted over alleged … – The Hill

Welcome to OVERNIGHT CYBERSECURITY, your daily rundown of the biggest news in the world of hacking and data privacy. We're here to connect the dots as leaders in government, policy and industry try to counter the rise in cyber threats. What lies ahead for Congress, the administration and the latest company under siege? Whether you're a consumer, a techie or a D.C. lifer, we're here to give you ...

THE BIG STORIES:

--NSA CONTRACTOR INDICTED: A federal grand jury on Wednesday issued an indictment of a former National Security Agency contractor accused of stealing thousands of pages of classified documents. Herald Thomas Martin III, 52, was charged with 20 counts of "willful retention of national defense information," according to a statement released by the Justice Department shortly after the indictment was returned. Martin worked at the NSA between 2012 and 2015 while he was an employee at the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. The indictment alleges that Martin had been stealing and maintaining mounds of highly classified information starting as early as 1996, until his arrest last August.

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--FBI NOT ANTICIPATING IMMEDIATE CHANGE ON ENCRYPTION: Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump is not the first president to criticize judiciary Trump to dine with Adelson at White House Election autopsy: Latinos favored Clinton more than exit polls showed MORE's White House has discussed encryption policy with the FBI, a bureau official indicated Wednesday. James Baker, the FBI's general counsel, said he is unaware of any planned changes on encryption policy under the new administration. "There have been some discussions, obviously, about this," he said at an encryption policy at an event in Washington, D.C. "It is a big topic and one that people have discussed," he continued. "I am not aware of any policy change or even a determination at this point in time, given how soon we are into the new administration."

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--NATO'S NEW CYBER GUIDE: NATO on Wednesday released the first major revision to the Tallinn Manual, the closest thing there is to a rulebook for nation-led cyber operations. Like the original 2013 manual, the new version is the result of a study by NATO to gauge consensus opinions from international law experts on what types of cyber statecraft are acceptable. "Let me assure you, the manual will sit on the desk of every legal advisor in every ministry of defense and every ministry of foreign affairs in the entire world," Director and General Editor Michael Schmitt said at a press briefing before its launch at the Atlantic Council headquarters in Washington. Both manuals pull together law originally developed to cover fields ranging from armed conflicts to outer space to extrapolate the likely legal consequences for cyber operations. But while the first draft covered war-like cyber attacks between nations, the new draft adds legal analysis of peacetime operations.

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A POLICY UPDATE:

--SENATORS MAKE PLAY ON RUSSIAN SANCTIONS: A bipartisan group of senators is moving to check President Trump on Russia by bolstering congressional oversight before he can lift sanctions.

Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey GrahamBannon and Priebus: The odd couple that holds Trump's keys to success GOP lawmakers urge Trump to get tough on Russia Overnight Cybersecurity: Ex-NSA contractor indicted over alleged theft | NATO's new cyber guide | Senators move to limit Trump on Russia MORE (R-S.C.), Ben CardinBen CardinSenate Foreign Relations takes hard line on Russia Corker, Cardin slam Trump's Russia comments Overnight Cybersecurity: Ex-NSA contractor indicted over alleged theft | NATO's new cyber guide | Senators move to limit Trump on Russia MORE (D-Md.), Marco RubioMarco RubioWhite House: Trump not open to 'Gang of Eight' immigration bill Corker, Cardin slam Trump's Russia comments Will Trump shift on entitlements? MORE (R-Fla.), Sherrod BrownSherrod BrownGOP states move to block sanctuary cities after Trump order Overnight Cybersecurity: Ex-NSA contractor indicted over alleged theft | NATO's new cyber guide | Senators move to limit Trump on Russia Overnight Defense: McCain, Spicer spar over Yemen raid | Senate bill would limit Trump on Russia sanctions | Trump cozies up to military MORE (D-Ohio), John McCainJohn McCainMeghan McCain defends father: 'How dare anyone question the honor of my father' Bannon and Priebus: The odd couple that holds Trump's keys to success The Hill's 12:30 Report MORE (R-Ariz.) and Claire McCaskillClaire McCaskillOvernight Cybersecurity: Ex-NSA contractor indicted over alleged theft | NATO's new cyber guide | Senators move to limit Trump on Russia Overnight Defense: McCain, Spicer spar over Yemen raid | Senate bill would limit Trump on Russia sanctions | Trump cozies up to military Senators move to limit Trump on Russia sanctions MORE (D-Mo.) introduced legislation Wednesday setting up a period of congressional oversight before Trump could roll back financial penalties.

The legislation, known as the Russia Sanctions Review Act, would require Trump to notify Congress before he lifts sanctions tied to the invasion of Ukraine or Russia's meddling in the White House race.

"To provide relief at this time would send the wrong signal to Russia and our allies who face Russian oppression. Sanctions relief must be earned, not given," said Graham, a frequent GOP critic of the president.

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A LIGHTER CLICK:

--FAR MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ALUMINUM CANS. A palate cleansinginformational videofor stressful times. (Via Boing Boing)

A REPORT IN FOCUS:

--ENCRYPTION CHALLENGES FOR FBI 'MANAGEABLE': The challenges that data encryption pose for law enforcement are manageable, according to a new analysis by a Washington, D.C., think tank, to be released later Thursday.

The research from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which was shared with The Hill, found no instances in which encryption played a "determinative role" in recent major terrorist attacks in Europe and the United States.

The think tank also concluded that encryption does not play a major role in terrorists' efforts to recruit followers over the internet.

The report comes at a moment of heightened concern over cybersecurity and a debate about encryption and federal authorities' access to secured communications.

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WHO'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

--EVERYBODY: Here are16 people to watch in tech, including a bunch of cybersecurity folk.