Monday Brief for 7 June 2021
A Note to My Free Subscribers (that’s you)
First, thanks for getting a free subscription — it’s awesome having you on the team.
Second, I want to make sure you know that the Kitchen Sync now offers three levels of subscription — free, insider, and founder.
Free subscribers will get the Monday Brief (without audio) delivered directly to their inbox twice a month as well as occasionally receiving other public postings. You’ll also get two preview newsletters — like this one — every month.
For $5 a month or $50 a year, Insiders will get the full Monday Brief delivered to their inbox every week (with audio), as well as exclusive access to longer form “Deep Dives” on important tech and national security issues, podcast interviews with policymakers and thought leaders, breaking news alerts and analysis, community discussion threads, and other benefits.
For $100 a year, Founders will get all of the Insider benefits plus exclusive engagement with me, with other thought leaders, and each other in a monthly Founders video call where we will discuss the most important tech and national security trends and topics.
**As a special thank you, anyone signing up for an annual “Insider” membership by this Friday (June 11th) will only pay $40!**
Tech Terms
Malware (mal·ware) — software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
An Incremental Improvement on Ransomware
What’s New: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is organizing ransomware investigations like terrorism cases, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
Why This Matters: The use of terrorism protocols suggests the federal government is prioritizing ransomware attacks and is preparing a more coordinated and comprehensive response in the wake of the attacks on the Colonial oil pipeline and JBS SA’s beef plants.
The Innovation Race Has Officially Started
What’s New: China’s President Xi Jinping told the nation’s science and technology leaders they must be prepared for “unprecedented” technological competition with the United States and that this will be “the main battleground” between the two powers, according to the South China Morning Post.
Why This Matters: Xi is correct.
Microsoft Advances Vote Tracking Software
What’s New: Microsoft’s ElectionGuard software will soon be piloted in Hart InterCivic voting machines — one the U.S.’s three major voting machine vendors, according to Wired Magazine.
Why This Matters: Trust in national elections is eroding on both sides of the political aisle.
Let’s Get Visual
Nerd Humor
Quick Clicks
That’s it for this Monday Brief. Thanks for reading, and if you think someone else would like this newsletter, please share it with your friends and followers. Have a great week!
