Cybersecurity
Biden Redirects Agencies on Securing Information and Communications Technology
A new executive order revokes bans on WeChat and TikTok but retains and adds to a Trump edict on U.S. tech, especially “connected software applications” tied to foreign adversaries.
Cybersecurity
Colonial Pipeline CEO talks ransom with lawmakers
House lawmakers on Wednesday were keen to ask Colonial Pipeline's chief executive officer what he knew about the ramifications of making a ransom payment and how it might affect the company's finances.
Policy
White House Presents Steps to Address Supply-Chain Problems
A new task force would examine issues that surfaced during the pandemic, including semiconductor shortages.
Cybersecurity
Space Force focuses on building a digital workforce
The U.S. Space Force is focusing on building its cadre of super coders amid a workforce boon with more interested applicants than available positions, according to the branch's chief of space operations.
Cybersecurity
Colonial Pipeline CEO: Cybersecurity Mandates From TSA Might Help
Hackers breached the company after gaining access to a virtual private network not protected by multifactor authentication.
Cybersecurity
Colonial CEO defends $4.3M ransomware payment
Joseph Blount, the chief executive officer of Colonial Pipeline, on Tuesday defended the company's ransom payment to the criminal group Darkside and said Colonial is continuing to work with law enforcement and cybersecurity consultants to restore their business systems.
Ideas
Study Shows AI-generated Fake Reports Fool Experts
Misinformation within communities of expertise has the potential for scary outcomes such as delivering incorrect medical advice to doctors and patients.
Cybersecurity
IRS' Use of Special Hiring Authorities Could Be Leading to Skills Gaps, IG Says
The agency has been using emergency authorities to meet staffing goals, but may be compromising on the quality of new hires as a result, according to an inspector general report.
Cybersecurity
States Bolster Data Security Technology in Response to Covid-19, Survey Finds
Governments have faced significant technology challenges during the pandemic, with 79% saying they faced major issues adopting and expanding remote work, according to the National Association of State Technology Directors.
Emerging Tech
DOD-NTIA Open 5G Challenge Could Lead to New Requirements
A Defense Department official said DOD’s 5G prototyping is also examining the benefits of hardware and software bills of materials to scrutinize the supply chain.
Modernization
Lawmakers Want IGs to Include Telework Vulnerabilities in Upcoming FISMA Audits
House Oversight Committee leaders want to know what vulnerabilities remote-access software introduced and whether agencies mitigated them.
Ideas
Executive Order Hints at FedRAMP Alternatives
The order calls for modernizing the cloud-security program and opens the door for other frameworks to be used for authorization.
Cybersecurity
IG: CISA-Run Monitoring Program Has Not Improved DHS’ Cybersecurity Posture
The department’s inspector general also found vulnerabilities in the department’s technology due to poorly defined patch management roles and configuration settings.
Cybersecurity
DHS expands collective bargaining for TSA airport screeners
Although the American Federation of Government Employees praised the move, the union says it is still going to press for legislation to move TSA employees into Title 5.
Cybersecurity
Army rolls back short-lived IoT telework policy
The Army is "restaffing" the policy, which would have required teleworkers to turn off or remove smart devices, such as Amazon Echo speakers, from their remote workspaces.
Cybersecurity
Why Government Needs More than Money to Fix Cybersecurity Issues
A bigger budget has its numerous benefits but it doesn’t magically scale teams or thwart threats.
Cybersecurity
Supreme Court narrows scope of hacking law, but questions remain
The Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday decided a police officer did not violate a 1980s anti-hacking law, but the court ultimately left open questions about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act's applicability for other purposes such as cybersecurity research.
Cybersecurity
NIST Will Build on Existing Software Development Framework to Meet Executive Order
The agency also shared how it’s thinking about defining “critical software,” which is to be prioritized under the order.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers seek IG probes of telework cybersecurity
A group of House lawmakers are calling on the inspectors general of nine executive departments and the intelligence community to see what cybersecurity vulnerabilities may have arisen due to the mass increase of telework during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cybersecurity