Cybersecurity

Reports: Suspected Russian Hackers Breach Commerce, Treasury Departments 

U.S. officials are investigating what data may have been stolen and whether the hack is more widespread.

Ideas

Your Robot Vacuum Could Spy on You

Researchers managed to recover speech data with high accuracy.

Cybersecurity

Presidential Advisers Make the Case for a New Cybersecurity Center for Sharing Threats

Current federal efforts to help mitigate threats against privately operated critical infrastructure fall short, according to a National Infrastructure Advisory Council report.

Ideas

5 Rules to Keep Breaking Barriers in Government

The pandemic disrupted how agencies conducted business but federal leaders can harness that momentum. 

Cybersecurity

FBI, CISA, State Leaders Warn Schools About Ransomware Threats

The percentage of ransomware attacks perpetrated against schools more than doubled in 2020.

Cybersecurity

FCC Adopts Order to Rip and Replace Huawei, ZTE Equipment Amid 5G Security Challenges

The senior Democrat on the commission noted China’s continued leadership of global 5G standards development in urging further action.

Modernization

GSA Relaunches Federal Service Desk With New Look and Added Security

The help desk for all General Services Administration procurement systems got a makeover and a security lockdown.

Cybersecurity

Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scammers, FTC Warns

The Federal Trade Commission expects some opportunists to attempt to bilk the public when COVID-19 vaccines are made available.

Cybersecurity

Why Certain Cybersecurity Provisions Made it into the NDAA and Others Didn’t  

An effort to establish a public-private collaboration environment was cut from the final bill but a controversial insurance provision was retained. 

Cybersecurity

With NDAA Exclusion, Proponents of FedRAMP Modification Are Down But Not Out

One supporter notes Congress is not the only path to success and is also counting on an incoming Biden administration to reshape the program.

Digital Government

Biden Team Tries Recruiting Through Source Code

If you find the hidden message, you might be someone the incoming administration wants to hire.

Cybersecurity

FireEye cyber tools stolen in 'state-sponsored' attack

The company's chief executive officer wrote in a blog post that an initial investigation suggests the attackers were likely backed by an adversarial nation.

Ideas

Insecure Communications Like WhatsApp Are Putting U.S. National Security at Risk

The proliferation of consumer-grade communications applications has given rise to widespread, unsanctioned use throughout the military community.

Cybersecurity

U.S., Australia Partnering on Virtual Cyber Training Range

U.S. Cyber Command said the Cyber Training Capabilities Project Arrangement is the first-ever agreement to develop the Army’s Persistent Cyber Training Environment together.

Cybersecurity

NSA Warns That Russian Hackers Are Targeting Virtual Workspaces

The agency urges administrators to prioritize mitigation of a vulnerability affecting six VMware products.

Cybersecurity

NSA warns on Russian hackers stealing data through VMware flaw

The National Security Agency says a vulnerability in a software used by federal agencies is being exploited by Russia-sponsored actors.

Cybersecurity

CISA Warns of Iran’s Offensive Cyber Capabilities

One observer suggests the alert is meant more for the adversary than defenders.

Cybersecurity

Cyber czar, CISA subpoenas included in must-pass defense bill

Lawmakers are poised to vote on a defense policy bill that would advance dozens of recommendations made by a cyberspace commission.