Cybersecurity
California Lawmaker Wants New ‘Cyber Hygiene’ Standards from NIST, FTC
The act would require the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Homeland Security to develop a list of voluntary best practices to shore up cybersecurity in government and outside.
Cybersecurity
Navy establishes permanent cyber division
Navy officials are trying to build on the momentum of the yearlong Task Force Cyber Awakening to drive a lasting, more secure cyber posture at the service.
Ideas
Federal Agencies Need to Demand Bigger Cyber Budgets
The unvarnished truth is that the government needs to spend a lot more on shoring up its defenses.
Cybersecurity
Every threat is an insider threat
Instead of focusing on breaching the perimeter, attackers have increasingly shifted to compromising the human layer.
Cybersecurity
New bill looks to NIST, FTC for cyber hygiene
A senior House Democrat proposes that federal agencies offer cyber best practices for use by government, private firms, and individuals.
Cybersecurity
OPM notices go out, GAO dings GPRA progress, ag security gets crowdsourced and more
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Cybersecurity
White House Cybersecurity Official Steps Down
After more than two years at the White House, Ari Schwartz has left his post.
Digital Government
Former Intelligence Director: Law Enforcement Must 'Adapt' to Encryption
Mike McConnell, who has served as NSA Director and director of national intelligence, continues his new crusade for strong encryption.
Cybersecurity
OPM Finally Begins Notifying Hacked Feds -- Via Snail Mail This Time
The letters will include a unique PIN the victim will need to register for the protections
Cybersecurity
Inside the CIA's new Digital Directorate
The CIA's brand new Directorate for Digital Innovation brings together the spy agency's CIO shop, cyber capabilities, and open source intelligence.
Cybersecurity
IT Insecurity: Aggressive use of security solutions
To avoid massive data breaches in the future, the government must address its cumbersome acquisition process and misguided IT security practices.
Cybersecurity
Feds Call Cyber Information Sharing ‘Ineffective,’ Study Finds
This finding is one of several grim conclusions in an independently conducted study on the state of cybersecurity at all levels of government.
Cybersecurity
Who’s Really in Charge of Federal Cybersecurity and Is It Time for a White House CISO?
High-profile cyber incidents haven’t led to a grand rethink of the government’s cyber org chart.
Cybersecurity
Nationwide ‘Suspicious Activity’ Files Now Document Sketchy Online Activity
The post-9/11 counterterrorism surveillance program is now collecting reports of suspicious activity across the Internet.
Cybersecurity
Time to consider the 'hack-back' strategy?
The U.S. government may have legal access to some surprisingly dirty cyber tactics -- and in order to stave off future hacks, it may need to use them.
Cybersecurity
Clinton aide wanted to go public about State's 'antiquated' tech
After leaving government, former top State Department official Anne-Marie Slaughter wanted to blow the whistle on shadow IT to get more funding for better tech.
Cybersecurity
5 things agencies get wrong about infosec
A GAO report finds persistent weaknesses in how federal agencies protect their data and their IT systems.
Digital Government
Pentagon’s Lack of Cyber Policy Illegal, McCain Says
Senators pressed Defense and intelligence officials on rules of war for cyberspace at a Tuesday hearing
Cybersecurity
‘Inconsistent’ Scores Mar Annual Cyber Report Card, GAO Says
IG inspections of agencies’ cybersecurity practices may not tell the whole story.
Cybersecurity