Cybersecurity

DOD failing to track progress on military alternatives to GPS, GAO says

A new report says military leaders don’t have enough information to make crucial decisions about ongoing efforts to develop alternatives to the Global Positioning System.

Cybersecurity

New Bill Would Unlock Cybersecurity Funding for Small Businesses

Sen. Maggie Hassan’s proposed law would help set up funds to protect smaller organizations from malware.

Cybersecurity

Text messages are federal records and must be saved, DOD orders

After news that Jan. 6 insurrection-related texts were wiped from former Pentagon officials’ phones, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks ordered data on department devices must be retained. 

Cybersecurity

Misinformation Campaigns and Threats are Undermining Confidence in U.S. Elections, Official Says

CISA is ramping up efforts to defend voting systems from outside intrusion, but the spread of online misinformation and threats against election officials still damage faith in the electoral process.

Cybersecurity

A top senate democrat asks the defense watchdog to investigate a new batch of missing Jan. 6 texts

“I don’t know whether the failure to preserve these critical government texts from Jan. 6 is the result of bad faith, stunning incompetence, or outdated records management policies, but we must get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Cybersecurity

National Cyber Director’s office sheds light on forthcoming cybersecurity strategy

Building a more resilient cyber ecosystem tops the list, according to a top official from the office tasked with leading the initiative. 

Cybersecurity

How the Cyber Ambassador In Waiting Plans to Control $1.5 Billion for Open Networks

The recently passed “CHIPS and Science Act” funds a grants program that the new State Department official will have a key role in steering, including to telecom networking firms.

Cybersecurity

NIST, CISA Finalizing Guidance for Identity and Access Management Post-SolarWinds

The epic intrusion campaign has turned up the brights on vendors providing authentication services, but agencies will still need to be actively engaged for effective implementation.

Cybersecurity

National Computer Forensics Institute up for reauthorization

The proposal would continue NCFI’s services through 2028 for any government employee who could help prevent or investigate cyber crimes.

Cybersecurity

Banking Groups Urge Senators to Reject NDAA Provision as Harmful to Cybersecurity

The provision for identifying “systemically important entities” included in the House-passed NDAA could still hitch a ride on the massive defense bill when it’s called to the floor in the upper chamber.

Cybersecurity

Senators introduce bill to ensure resiliency of federal data centers

The proposal would establish baseline safeguards for cybersecurity and physical issues like natural disasters.

Cybersecurity

Security Alerts: Not All Vulnerabilities Are Created Equal

For industries without a heavy IT expertise, responding to the myriad vulnerability advisories released by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is a daunting task.

Cybersecurity

Faster attacks have Cyber Command looking to add all-too-scarce experts

“I think the only way that I'm going to be able to do that in the near term is to grow the workforce myself,” command official says.

Cybersecurity

White House Official: EPA to Issue Cybersecurity Rule for Water Facilities

As the U.S. pursues collaboration with international allies, the official noted lagging cybersecurity policies for domestic critical infrastructure. 

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Question DOJ’s National Security Division on Cybersecurity, Surveillance

The House Judiciary Committee raised concerns over  three hostile foreign actors that breached court systems in early 2020, in addition to questions about the surveillance of Americans.

Cybersecurity

Human Rights Advocate to Congress: Stop Federal Procurement of Commercial Spyware

The Intelligence Authorization Act, which recently cleared committee in the House, empowers—but does not require—the director of national intelligence to bar such acquisitions.

Cybersecurity

GenCyber: NSA sets up summer camps to teach kids to hack

Steve Kelman finds the normally secretive agency's camps an intriguing way to offer a taste of cybersecurity careers to middle and high school students.

Cybersecurity

DHS Convenes Regulators, Law Enforcement Agencies on Cyber Incident Reporting

The Department of Homeland Security started the clock on a report to Congress for streamlining requirements, amid industry dissatisfaction with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s pending reporting regime.