Cybersecurity

TSA ramps up fuel pipeline cyber strategy

At a Senate hearing, the TSA administrator updated lawmakers on the implementation of two recent cybersecurity directives issued in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.

Cybersecurity

White House Asks CISA, NIST to Set Performance Goals for Critical Infrastructure Operators

The initiative will not result in mandatory measures for the private sector, but the administration hopes to signal its commitment to cybersecurity and maybe get a little help from Congress on that front.

Emerging Tech

Senate Banking Chair Asks CFPB How It Plans to Address Risks of Chime and Other Banking Apps

With an estimated 12 million customers, Chime is the largest in its highly competitive subcategory of financial technology companies that serve low- to moderate-income individuals.

Cybersecurity

TSA, Transportation Officials Give Insight into New Cybersecurity Mandates for Pipeline Operators

Agency leaders expressed a commitment to avoiding duplication of their efforts as lines blur between cyber and physical security.

Ideas

To Find Cybersecurity Talent, Poach From Other Fields 

Cybersecurity pros are in demand, which means the government will need to think of new sources.

Modernization

House Appropriators Offer $50M for TMF But White House Wants 10 Times That

The Office of Management and Budget said it’s received more than $2 billion in proposals since getting $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan.

Podcasts

Critical Update: How the Controversial JEDI Contract Changed the Pentagon

Experts say the doomed contract helped take cloud literacy at the Defense Department to the next level.

Cybersecurity

How Unemployment Insurance Fraud Exploded During the Pandemic

Bots filing bogus applications in bulk, teams of fraudsters in foreign countries making phony claims, online forums peddling how-to advice on identity theft: Inside the infrastructure of perhaps the largest fraud wave in history.

Cybersecurity

States Weigh Bans on Ransomware Payoffs

The idea is that this would deter attacks because cybercriminals would know they couldn’t get paid.

Cybersecurity

Energy Updates Assessment Tool for Administration’s 100-Day Cybersecurity Sprint

The update comes as lawmakers jostle for jurisdiction over cybersecurity across multiple critical infrastructure sectors with a slew of bills advancing in both chambers of Congress.

Cybersecurity

DOD’s Supply Chain Security Should be Strategic Priority, Congressional Task Force Says

The Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force released six legislative proposals calling for less dependence on adversaries like China and improved supply chain visibility.

Cybersecurity

Senate NDAA pushes for more domestic production, increased cyber authorities

The Senate Armed Services Committee passed its version of the 2022 defense authorization bill, calling for more cyber authorities, tech-favoring acquisition policies, and domestic production of critical materials.

Cybersecurity

Commerce Secretary Highlights Cybersecurity Workforce Needs With $3B Initiative

Grants will be competitively awarded to state and local governmental entities, institutions of higher education, not-for-profit entities, unions and tribes. 

Cybersecurity

CBP Cybersecurity Failures Left Travelers' Personal Info at Risk, IG Says

A new internal watchdog report finds Customs and Border Protection failed to conduct required cybersecurity activities for its Mobile Passport Control applications.

Cybersecurity

Can federal funding fill gaps in rural cyber preparedness?

Utility firms in small towns and rural communities across the country lack critical funding and staffing resources necessary to counter an escalation in nationwide cyberattacks, state and local infrastructure experts warned on Wednesday.

Cybersecurity

Senators Promote Cybersecurity Measures in Core Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework

Congressional leaders of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission stressed a need to focus specifically on water treatment systems.

Cybersecurity

CISA Considering Open-Source Registrar Platform For .Gov Domain

The agency is looking for support services to help manage the .gov registry as it takes control of the top-level domain from GSA.

Ideas

The State of Data Security in the Federal Government

Most agencies don’t have a solid grasp of what data they have or where it is located.

Cybersecurity

Senate breach disclosure bill targets agencies, contractors, infrastructure

A bipartisan bill introduced by the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee sets up a 24-hour deadline for infrastructure operators, federal contractors and federal agencies to report confirmed cybersecurity breaches and ransomware attacks.

Cybersecurity

Bill Would Require Federal Agencies and Contractors to Report Cyber Intrusions Within 24 Hours

The bill leaves it up to an interagency rulemaking process to determine whether entities would be required to report incidents they’re aware of but not directly involved in.