Cybersecurity
NSA Offers Advice on Securing Clouds
A CISA release noting the guidance directs administrators to an analysis of Microsoft Office 365.
Cybersecurity
Another Poor Cybersecurity Audit at State Department Draws Scrutiny
Auditors have been reporting weaknesses in IT security controls for over a decade.
Cybersecurity
White House Seeks to Revise Federal Grants Process to Reflect New Priorities
The changes would reduce the reporting burden on grant recipients, among other things.
Ideas
How Iran's Military Outsources Its Cyber Threat Forces
These intermediaries are loyal to the regime but separate from it.
Cybersecurity
Security Clearance Backlog Hits Long-Awaited ‘Steady State’
The backlog of background investigations has leveled off at a sustainable 200,000, according to lawmakers.
Digital Government
Merit Board Offers Advice to Fix Reskilling Program That Hasn't Translated to Any New Job Placements
A pilot program to train some non-IT workers with technology skills has not resulted in anyone switching jobs, largely because participants would have needed to take a pay cut.
Cybersecurity
Presidential Advisers Expected to Push Software-Defined Networking for Secure Comms
Senate Commerce Committee is stockpiling legislation for coordinated investments in the tech.
Cybersecurity
Security clearance backlog continues to drop
Senate Intel leaders praised efforts by government to get its backlog of active security clearance adjudications under control, but want to see the system support more diversity.
Cybersecurity
Weakening Encryption Could Impact Election Security, Coalition Says
An election security group said the Justice Department’s renewed calls for access to encrypted data could impact more than privacy.
Cybersecurity
Treasury Wants Better Information on Financial Entities’ Cybersecurity Practices
A department official says expanded data collection powers would enable it to “advocate” for companies with other agencies.
Cybersecurity
Survey: Financial-Sector Agencies’ Policies for Sharing Cyber Threats Inconsistent
Respondents describe barriers ranging from a lack of resources to intelligence agencies’ classification decisions.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Urge FTC to Investigate Aggregator’s Collection and Sale of Americans’ Financial Data
The officials question whether Envestnet is violating the FTC Act by not being transparent about its collection and sale of consumers’ financial information.
Cybersecurity
Senators introduce bill to create state cyber coordinators at DHS
Lawmakers said the legislation was crafted following conversations with local officials who have expressed a desire for more federal support.
Cybersecurity
DOD CIO Is Prepping Guidance on Endpoint Management
The department aims to clarify what beyond desktops qualifies as an endpoint.
Emerging Tech
Senators Unveil $1.2 Billion Plan to Develop Alternatives to Huawei’s 5G Equipment
The Federal Communications Commission would require certification to open standards to eliminate proprietary equipment.
Cybersecurity
FBI to Alert States About Local Election System Hacks
The FBI changed its policy to allow agents to inform both state and local election officials when election systems are breached.
Cybersecurity
GSA fine tunes e-commerce effort
The changes GSA made to its commercial electronic marketplace solicitation in early January makes the portal proposal more amenable to commercial providers, experts said.
Cybersecurity
German Researchers Accessed Service Members’ Sensitive Medical Data—and One Lawmaker Wants Answers
Sen. Mark Warner wants to know what the Defense Health Agency is doing to secure “a significant number” of medical images.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Must Focus on Reliability When Buying Weapons Systems, Auditor Says
The Government Accountability Office report holds implications for cybersecurity considerations in procurement processes.
Policy