Japan has proposed a new bill that would authorize its police and military to disable enemy servers in the event of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure. According to Kyodo News, the proposed legislation, which the government submitted to parliament on Friday, aims to enhance Japan’s cybersecurity and align its capabilities with those of the United...
The U.K. government has launched efforts to establish artificial intelligence growth zones nationwide to accelerate AI infrastructure development and attract private investment. Local and regional authorities are encouraged to propose sites, particularly in deindustrialized areas, with existing power access or potential for major energy infrastructure. Ideal locations include sites with at least 500 megawatts of...
Canada could appropriate 2 percent of its gross domestic product for defense spending by 2027 to meet a NATO requirement, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said. Blair, in an interview with CBC News, expressed his optimism that the target could be met five years ahead of the planned 2032 deadline announced by outgoing Prime Minister...
Microsoft has launched a new Azure Policy initiative aimed at simplifying technology compliance and accelerating cloud adoption for government agencies in New Zealand. The initiative includes enhancements to management tools and Microsoft Defender for Cloud, which will automate compliance with the cybersecurity, privacy and data management requirements in the New Zealand Information Security Manual. In...
The New Zealand government has allocated funding to enhance critical communication networks for Maritime New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand. Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey announced the funding, emphasizing its importance in improving search and rescue operations and overall maritime safety. Brown said the funding will upgrade the National Maritime...
The United States has implemented two new regulations aimed at tightening export controls on advanced computing semiconductors and restricting additional entities from China and Singapore. The Bureau of Industry and Security said the measures build on previous actions and limit China’s access to crucial high-end chips for military applications. The updates include broader licensing requirements...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has endorsed the AI Opportunities Action Plan, an initiative to make the United Kingdom a prime destination for companies involved in artificial intelligence research and development. The plan reflects Starmer’s vision for the U.K. to achieve global leadership in AI by transforming the government’s approach to technology. Key components of the initiative...
The Australian Signals Directorate has appointed Stephanie Crowe as the new head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Crowe previously led ACSC’s Cyber Security Resilience Division, where she was tasked to deliver technical programs, services, and publications across government and industry and improve the security and resilience of critical networks. Her 15 years at the...
President Joe Biden has halted Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel due to national security concerns. On Friday, the Biden administration issued an order prohibiting the proposed takeover of the American steel company. The order referenced a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which assessed that the...
New Zealand’s House of Representatives has approved Brendan Horsley’s appointment as the country’s first-ever inspector-general of defence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced on Wednesday that Horsley would oversee establishing the new office and its support networks. Horsley’s term will start on Jan. 26, 2025, and end on Nov. 30, 2025. He will concurrently serve as...
