Cybersecurity

DHS: App Vetting Tools Are a Must-Have for Agencies, Despite Their Flaws 

There’s still no ideal way to integrate mobile security tools, but that shouldn’t stop agencies from using them, according to Homeland Security researchers.

Cybersecurity

Senior Justice Official Caught Watching Porn on Government Computer

The then-deputy assistant attorney general resigned after investigators found a trove of sexually explicit content on their computer.

Cybersecurity

The Pentagon Is Exploring New Ways to Isolate Its Networks

Three companies have already received multimillion-dollar contracts to explore new ways to protect the data flowing through the military’s IT systems.

Cybersecurity

DHS Asks for Feedback on Vulnerability Disclosure Program

Officials plan to create a public form where security researchers can submit weaknesses they uncover in the agency’s IT infrastructure.

Cybersecurity

The Pentagon Wants to Bolster DIU’s Cyber Defenses

The department is looking for penetration testers, red teams and cyber training to protect its startup incubator from online attacks.

Cybersecurity

IRS Warns of New Imposter Scam That Spreads Malware

Agency officials recently learned of a phishing campaign in which scammers pose as IRS agents to spread malware and scoop up users’ sensitive information.

Modernization

CBP to Process Billions in Trade Revenue Using IBM Cloud

The “mainframe-as-a-service” model allowed the agency to migrate one of its more resource-intensive processes to the cloud.

Cybersecurity

CISA Chief Unveils Vision for Federal Cybersecurity

Civilian agencies shouldn’t all be forced to manage their own cyber risks, Chris Krebs said.

Modernization

CISA Awards GDIT a $325 Million Emergency Communications Contract

Under the contract, the company will support the systems federal leaders and others use to coordinate responses to during natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other crises.

Cybersecurity

Playing Defense Against Chinese Tech Threats ‘Will Only Get Us So Far,’ Lawmaker Says 

Rep. Mike Gallagher said the government needs to take a more active role in curbing the global rise of Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.

Emerging Tech

The Pentagon Is Turning to Nature to Solve Its Most Complex Problems

DARPA is exploring ways to harness chemical reactions, biological processes and other natural phenomena to build a more efficient computer.

Emerging Tech

DHS is Collecting Biometrics on Thousands of Refugees Who Will Never Enter the U.S.

Most refugees who apply for asylum in the U.S. never set foot in the country, but under an agreement with the United Nations, DHS and its partners can still build biometric profiles on them.

Cybersecurity

Agencies Faced 31,000 Cyber Incidents Last Year, But Gave Up No Major Breaches

The total number of incidents the government experienced last year dropped 12% from 2017, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

Cybersecurity

Commerce Gives U.S. Companies an Extra 90 Days to Cut Ties with Huawei

“Some of the rural companies are dependent on Huawei, so we’re giving them a little more time to wean themselves off,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Cybersecurity

The Army is Falling Behind on Staffing Cyber Units, GAO Says

As of March, the cyber and electronic warfare units the Army deployed last year had less than 40% of their combined positions filled.

Artificial Intelligence

The Pentagon's Research Arm Wants AI to Help Design More Secure Tech

The “AI co-designers” would help the Pentagon rapidly blueprint secure weapons, vehicles and other network-connected platforms, and suggest designs humans haven’t yet conceived.

Cybersecurity

Energy is Updating Its Cyber Posture Assessment Tool  

The Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model helps organizations in government and industry assess how their cyber defenses stack up against established standards.

Cybersecurity

DHS Funds Research to Improve Software Security Analysis

The Science and Technology Directorate awarded a contract to standardize the process for evaluating static analysis tools, which agencies use to hunt for bugs in their IT systems.

Cybersecurity

Energy Department Never Blacklists Risky Nuclear Tech Vendors, GAO Says

The process is too time-consuming and narrow to be effective, according to officials at the National Nuclear Security Administration.