Modernization
Agencies Have Spent More Than $300M In Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Federal buyers spent more than $4.8 million on hand sanitizer alone in the last two months.
Cybersecurity
Chinese Hackers Attacked Foreign Health Care, Military, Oil Networks as Coronavirus Hit China
In January, the ‘widespread’ assault targeted a vulnerability in virtual desktops, cloud computing, and network applications, FireEye announced.
Digital Government
Defense Secretary Says Teleworking Could Last Months
During a virtual town hall, Mark Esper warned employees to be vigilant for phishing attempts and practice good cyber hygiene.
Ideas
GPS is Fatally Flawed. It’s Past Time to Fix It.
A terrestrial system could make GPS spoof-proof.
Digital Government
White House Updates Contracting and Technology Guidance for Federal Agencies
During the coronavirus outbreak, the Veterans Affairs Department got a greenlight to rehire experts and the Justice Department clarified its stance on working in states with shelter-in-place orders.
Cybersecurity
NIST Offers 8 Ways Agencies Can Use Its Cybersecurity Framework
One approach involves getting a better sense of potential contractors’ cybersecurity posture.
Cybersecurity
FTC Warns of New Coronavirus-Oriented Scams
The agency has updated its list of hacking and other tactics that prey on the generous and the needy in times of crisis.
Cybersecurity
Regulators Say Maritime Industry’s Pandemic Plans Can Skip Cybersecurity Details
The Coast Guard stresses new guidance adds flexibility for compliance with existing security planning requirements.
Cybersecurity
Trump Calls Out China’s COVID-19 Disinformation
Chinese diplomats and officials have been spreading a lie about the virus’ origin.
Cybersecurity
New Security Clearance Office Gets First Permanent Leader
The new program office is getting a permanent director nearly five months after shifting the background investigations process to the Defense Department.
Modernization
Thrift Savings Plan Wants Help Protecting Federal Employees’ Retirement From Outside Cyber Threats
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is working on a contract to help protect $611 billion in savings for some 6 million current and former feds.
Ideas
Cybersecurity Must Be Embedded in Every Aspect of Government Technology
While cybersecurity has evolved, it has not kept pace with cyber threats that have become increasingly sophisticated.
Policy
Attorney General Prioritizes Prosecuting COVID-19 Scammers
William Barr directed federal attorneys to go after people behind phony cures and phishing schemes.
Cybersecurity
DOD’s Inconsistent Mitigation of Cyber Vulnerabilities Is a Waste, Pentagon’s Watchdog Says
Leadership promises to improve responsiveness to red-teaming efforts.
Cybersecurity
HHS Secretary: No Data Breach, No Degradation of Networks During ‘Enhanced Cyber Activity’
CISA is helping the health agency following reports of a cyberattack over the weekend.
Cybersecurity
Attacks on DOD Networks Soar as Telework Inflicts ‘Unprecedented’ Loads
As DOD scrambles to find equipment for those who can work from home, Pentagon leaders tell personnel: ‘No hand-shaking, no high-fives,” and clean your workstations.
Cybersecurity
Senators Propose Barring TikTok from Government Devices
Major government departments have already banned employees from downloading the popular app.
Cybersecurity
CISA looks to industry for anti-troll tools
The agency is looking to bolster its technical capabilities to identify foreign propaganda online that targets specific audiences in the U.S.
Cybersecurity
CISA stress tests DHS telework capacity
Not every agency will be ready to flip the switch from F2F to WFH, according to experts and former officials.
Cybersecurity