Cybersecurity
Hearing on Hack Prompts Call for Review of Government’s Cloud Procurement
A key lawmaker highlighted a profit motive for “basic” cybersecurity as problematic following an exchange with Microsoft President Brad Smith.
Cybersecurity
Hackers Seized on the Pandemic. Some States Are Fighting Back.
Cyberattackers have forced states to take down websites, stolen $36 billion in unemployment payments and exposed millions of residents’ personal information to scammers.
Emerging Tech
Air Force Base Prepping for EMP Vulnerability Tests
In response to a Trump administration executive order, Joint Base San Antonio is getting ready to test its infrastructure against a simulated electromagnetic pulse attack.
Cybersecurity
Space Firms Put Aside Rivalries to Share Threat Data
A new clearinghouse has begun gathering and distributing information about threats to space networks, products, and services.
Cybersecurity
The Hack Roundup: State Department Cyber Office Clears Committee Amid Push for International Norms
Here are the news and updates you might have missed.
Digital Government
IG: ‘Tens of Billions’ in Fraudulent Unemployment Claims in 2020
A Labor Department Inspector General memo suggests a massive uptick in fraudulent unemployment claims brought on by COVID-19.
Digital Government
Cultural Resistance Top Challenge Slowing IT Modernization, Survey Finds
Air Force Chief Information Officer Lauren Knausenberger said she’s changing minds by demonstrating utility to the warfighter.
Cybersecurity
Report: Mobile Phishing to Steal Government Credentials Increased 67% in 2020
State and local governments are more exposed than federal agencies in the new teleworking age, but threats have increased across the board.
Digital Government
Tech Among Top Priorities for Biden’s CIA Director Pick
William Burns also said he’d look to build morale at the agency in part by speaking “truth to power.”
Cybersecurity
CIA nominee: Cyber threats are 'ever greater risk' for U.S. society
William Burns, the president's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, said the SolarWinds attack was a "harsh wake-up call" about the country’s vulnerabilities in both critical infrastructure and supply chains.
Cybersecurity
Hacking Campaign Fuels Calls for Information Sharing Mandate
Senators weigh potential protections from liability for incident reports amid concerns about cyber hygiene.
Cybersecurity
CISA, DHS Bolster State and Local Cybersecurity Programs
CISA added another vendor to an intrusion detection plan and DHS increased the required cybersecurity spend for certain FEMA grants.
Cybersecurity
SolarWinds CEO Recommends Liability Protections for Sharing Information about Incidents
The new CEO had a couple of other asks for Congress too.
Digital Government
CISA Names Three Leadership Appointments
CISA announced a new deputy director, executive assistant director for cybersecurity and executive assistant director for infrastructure security.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Pursues 5G Applications for Space
A new document details military considerations regarding future means to transport data.
Cybersecurity
SolarWinds CEO: This could have happened to anyone
In what will be the first of several public appearances this week, Sudhakar Ramakrishna says his company will be transparent about the supply chain attack it suffered as a way to help other companies prepare for the next attack.
Digital Government
Veterans Affairs Rolls Out Ethics Framework for Guarding Vets’ Data
The agency aims to set expectations around who can manage, view and access veteran data.
Cybersecurity
Biden pledges international cooperation on cyber in speech
Biden addressed the global security forum for the first time as president last week when he called for the United States to cooperate with European allies on establishing cyberspace norms.
Cybersecurity
GSA Could Be Vulnerable to Security Threats From ‘Trusted Insiders’
Watchdog finds gaps in a program meant to protect personnel, facilities, operations and resources.
Cybersecurity