Cybersecurity

Are Federal Regs Keeping Agencies From Cutting-Edge Cyber Tools?

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., is worried federal agencies are behind the curve when it comes to purchasing cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and services.

Cybersecurity

Cryptography experts critical of Senate encryption bill

Encryption legislation proposed by leaders of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is being met with fierce criticism from experts, and some reports suggest the White House will not back the measure.

Cybersecurity

Senate Dem queries OMB over cyber acquisition

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has asked OMB to outline how it is leveraging several existing authorities for acquiring IT security technologies.

Cybersecurity

DHS information network gets new authentication tech

DHS has implemented backend authentication for users of the Homeland Security Information Network.

Emerging Tech

Can Bitcoin Save the World? Probably Not

The cryptocurrency is a powerful tool for early adopters and middle-class entrepreneurs, but it may not provide the opportunities in the developing world that its advocates claim.

Digital Government

US v. China: Who Gets to Define the Terms of Hacking?

An U.S. attempt to stem Chinese cybersecurity breaches was thwarted by the revelation that the two countries were actually doing similar things.

Cybersecurity

It Only Costs $20 to Steal Someone’s Identity Online

Like any marketplace worth its salt, supply and demand set prices.

Cybersecurity

Agencies making uneven progress in adopting HTTPS

Agencies have until the end of the year to switch their public websites to the more secure HTTPS protocol. Some are much further along than others.

Cybersecurity

Senators seek answers on TSA tech

Lawmakers quizzed the head of DHS' Science and Technology Directorate on the proposed $469.9 million R&D budget.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Want Answers on Stolen HHS Laptop That Potentially Contained Personal Info on Millions

The chairman and ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee want to know why it took HHS tow months to notify Congress.

Cybersecurity

How Last Year's OPM Hack Could Affect the Census

A loss of public trust in the federal government could undermine Commerce's ability to collect data for the 2020 census.

Digital Government

Pentagon Chief May Upgrade CYBERCOM to Full Combatant Command

As network warriors pound away on ISIS in the battle for Mosul, Carter says it’s time to consider full-COCOM status for cyberwarfare.

Cybersecurity

DHS: Cyberattack on the Ukraine Power Grid Could Happen Here

“This type of attack can happen in any critical infrastructure company across all sectors," a high-ranking cybersecurity official says.

Cybersecurity

FBI lawyer says encryption has a purpose

After accessing a terrorist's iPhone without Apple's help, the FBI says it will take cues from the American people when it comes to the future of encryption.

Cybersecurity

Ex-NSA Deputy Director Wants Coded Messages for All

However, techies, entrepreneurs and the feds should first be hashing out its application, to defuse tensions over the prospect of coded messages for all, Chris Inglis said.

Modernization

WhatsApp, the World’s Most Popular Messaging Service, Just Turned on Encryption for All its Data

That means engineers at the Facebook-owned chat app wouldn’t be able to read messages or watch video calls sent by its users even if ordered to do so by a court.

Cybersecurity

Federal Cybersecurity by the Numbers: The Biggest Spenders and the Biggest Threats

The annual scorecard tracking agencies’ compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act shows some agencies are backsliding.

Cybersecurity

FBI Cyber Official on Panama Papers: ‘Good, It Wasn't a Law Firm in the US’

The leak could be a lesson for people who trust outside organizations, such as law firms, to protect their data.

Cybersecurity

How should the Pentagon confront civil cyber emergencies?

Defense Department has plans for cooperating with civil authorities for myriad security situations, but lacks specific guidance when it comes to cyber incidents according to a government watchdog.