Cybersecurity

IRS needs better documentation for its cyber threat hunts, watchdog says

A new report noted that a lack of “established policies and procedures” could prevent the tax agency from meeting federal requirements.

Cybersecurity

'Evolving' CISA program helped agencies quickly respond to recent cyber incidents

CISA’s Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program uses close collaboration with federal agencies to identify and respond to cyber threats, including last month’s MOVEit breach.

Cybersecurity

FTC, HHS warn of potential privacy and security risks embedded in online health sites

The agencies noted hospitals and telehealth providers could be exposing sensitive patient health information through online tracking tools like Meta Pixel and Google Analytics.

Cybersecurity

Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan

The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.

Cybersecurity

US power grid faces escalating cyber threats, infrastructure experts warn

The power grid is experiencing heightened threats from foreign adversaries and domestic extremist groups that can pose devastating consequences for the nation’s supply of electricity, experts told a House subcommittee on Tuesday. 

Cybersecurity

White House seeks public insight to harmonize ‘inconsistent’ cyber regulations

The Biden administration wants to use public feedback to shape baseline cybersecurity regulations that function across industries and sectors. 

Cybersecurity

White House announces new program to designate cyber-secure IoT devices

The Biden administration announced its Cyber Trust Mark labeling program to ensure commercial smart home devices have sufficient cybersecurity tech in place.

Cybersecurity

Experts warn of financial challenges and gaps in cyber implementation plan 

From a crucial lack of federal funding to longstanding issues with the cyber workforce, experts told Nextgov/FCW that the new cybersecurity implementation plan features major “financial potholes.”

Cybersecurity

Bipartisan FISMA update looks to tweak cyber incident reporting rules for agencies

The legislation proposes new requirements for disclosing cyberattacks, assigns guidance for A.I.-enabled cyber, codifies the Federal CISO role and more.

Cybersecurity

New White House cyber plan leaves digital identity action items out

Officials noted that identity action items could still be included in later iterations of the national cybersecurity strategy implementation plan. 

Cybersecurity

New White House cyber implementation plan looks to ramp up resilience

The plan, released Thursday morning, includes more than 65 “high-impact initiatives” that federal agencies will be tasked with executing to achieve the objectives outlined in the national cybersecurity strategy.

Cybersecurity

State Department email accounts hit in China-linked cyberattack

A China-based cybercriminal known as Storm-0558 gained access to unclassified U.S. government email accounts using forged authentication tokens according to a report released by Microsoft.

Cybersecurity

Trade groups press White House for national cyber director nomination

A coalition of industry stakeholders is urging the Biden administration to nominate a national cyber director by the end of the month in a new letter sent to the White House Wednesday. 

Cybersecurity

Cloud poses special cyber risks for critical infrastructure, report warns

Federal agencies and organizations that oversee critical infrastructure sectors and fail to adapt to the cloud paradigm risk major cybersecurity threats to their systems and networks, according to recent findings.

Cybersecurity

NDAA amendment calls for DOD, DHS to assess cyber threats to border security

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said his proposal “sets a plan to prevent cyber incidents by reducing the risk of future cyber vulnerabilities” in key border technologies.

Cybersecurity

New court ruling may hinder federal information sharing efforts, experts warn

Security experts warned that a federal ruling barring the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and others from contacting social media sites about key issues may have implications that go far beyond First Amendment-protected speech.

Cybersecurity

Resource constraints led to EPA’s failure to address critical vulnerabilities in air and radiation data

The Environmental Protection Agency cited a lack of resources and the sheer volume of critical vulnerabilities as the reasons for its inability to patch its systems under federally required timeframes. 

Cybersecurity

Third-party contractor software exploited in attack on HHS data

An official with the Department of Health and Human Services said attackers gained access to data by exploiting a major vulnerability found in the popular MOVEit file transfer service.

Cybersecurity

Navy gets new cyber categories

The move will make it so cryptologists and IT professionals no longer have additional duties in cyberspace operations.