Cybersecurity

Could IT Problems Ground NASA?

A new story suggests NASA’s networks are filled with malware, unpatched for software vulnerabilities perhaps a million times over, and that the relationship between NASA executives and Hewlett Packard Enterprise is strained beyond repair.

Cybersecurity

CYBERCOM to Congress: We Need a Bigger Budget

Rogers justified what he called "systematic" increases over the last few years with the observation that every American who has gone online is either now a cybercrime victim or has been affected indirectly by higher fees as a result of data thefts.

Cybersecurity

Is Telework a Growing Cyber Threat? New Guidelines Offer Security Tips

The agency is collecting public comment on guidance for teleworkers who use mobile devices and laptops to remotely access content.

Digital Government

A UK Surveillance Bill That Allows Government Hacking Has Passed its First Legislative Hurdle

The Investigatory Powers bill, which will grant the British government broad powers to collect user data and hack communications systems and networks.

Cybersecurity

VA Fails Cyber Audit Again

This is the 16th year in a row that VA’s handling of information security has been cited by the IG as a “material weakness.”

Cybersecurity

DHS edging off GAO's high risk list

DHS has made significant progress towards solving the management issues that have kept it on the GAO's high risk list for years, but lawmakers look to ensure that progress continues.

Cybersecurity

Rogers makes his case for a CyberCom budget boost

U.S. Cyber Command wants about $500 million for fiscal 2017, a steady increase that appropriators appeared willing to support.

Cybersecurity

Oversight Committee investigates DHS senior staff for improper email practices

A House panel is probing 29 DHS senior officials, including Secretary Jeh Johnson, for allegedly violating a department-wide ban on personal email access at work.

Cybersecurity

Researcher Says Government Cyberthreat Sharing Too Secretive

The university's attack space includes power generation networks, campus police databases, research files, student records and retail payment systems, among other sensitive digital operations.

Cybersecurity

OPM Needs Another $37M for ‘Critical’ IT Upgrades, Agency Tells Congress

During the phased rollout of the new IT infrastructure, OPM will have to run both old and new systems simultaneously.

Cybersecurity

Texas Congressman to Feds: Don’t Mess with Civil Liberties

“We can protect civil liberties, defend infrastructure and chase bad guys all at the same time,” the legislator said. “We can chase bad guys without eroding our civil liberties.”

Cybersecurity

DHS OIG slams USCIS on immigration IT

DHS Inspector General John Roth took a hard line on USCIS's lagging immigration benefits processing system in an audit that covered an 11-year cycle of IT shortcomings and agency resistance to independent examinations.

Cybersecurity

NIST: Time to take telework's cyber risks seriously

With telework and BYOD on the rise, NIST is updating its guidelines from 2009 to address how organizations and individuals can protect themselves from cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity

Crypto battle presents 'hard choices,' says federal CIO

Federal CIO Tony Scott favors strong encryption, but sees a place for "narrow exceptions" for law enforcement.

Digital Government

Can You Turn Your Toaster Into a Bomb? DARPA Wants to Know

The agency will pay tinkerers to weaponize off-the-shelf items — in hopes of defending against such hacks.

Cybersecurity

DHS unveils post-CISA privacy assessment

The post-CISA privacy regime is here. Will it satisfy critics?

Cybersecurity

House Committee Now Probing Jeh Johnson’s Personal Email Use at DHS

Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, says the practice calls into question the agency’s cybersecurity responsibilities.

Cybersecurity

Federal CISO needs real power, says advisory group

The National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee at DHS wants the new federal chief information security officer to drive policy and have real visibility across agencies.

Cybersecurity

Doxed ISIS Fighters, Leaked Complaints about Uber Rapes and 2.2M Cancer Patients Exposed to ID Theft

Just another week in ThreatWatch, our regularly updated index of noteworthy data breaches.

Cybersecurity

How restricting encryption increases cyber risks

Weakening encryption for the benefit of law enforcement would have economic and social fallout that is far more damaging than any benefit obtained, according to new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.