Modernization
OMB Prioritizes Cyber, COVID Tech For New TMF Payback Model
Officials urged agencies to pitch projects that focus on hack cleanup, COVID-19 response or economic recovery by June 2 for maximum repayment flexibility from the Technology Modernization Fund.
Cybersecurity
DOD expands bug bounty program to public networks, systems
The vulnerability disclosure program, which was started from the Defense Digital Service's 2016 Hack the Pentagon initiative, was initially restricted to public-facing websites and applications.
Podcasts
Critical Update: What Platform One Brings to the Pentagon’s Software Game
Air Force Chief Software Officer Nicolas Chaillan and industry experts explain how Platform One is eliminating barriers to entry for DevSecOps teams.
Cybersecurity
FedRAMP Board Extends Deadline For Cloud Providers to Pitch Line-Jumping Business Cases
Cloud service providers hoping to secure authorizations to operate at multiple agencies simultaneously got some more time to make a business case for their prioritization by the board.
Cybersecurity
NSA to Defense Sector: Think Twice Before Connecting Operational Technology to the Internet
The agency recognized benefits such as enabling remote work but notes the inherent risks and costs of putting industrial control system components online.
Ideas
What Texas Power Outages Can Teach Us About Securing the Electric Grid
Cyber threats have the potential to impact the power grid in a similarly serious manner.
Cybersecurity
Homeland Security Secretary Backs Call for Mandatory Disclosure of Ransomware Payments
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the department will work with a task force developed by the private sector on ways to tamp down the increase in ransomware attacks.
Modernization
GAO: Only 2 of the 10 Most Critical Legacy IT Systems Have Full Modernization Plans
The federal watchdog warned that eight of the most important mission-critical modernization efforts could fail without sufficient, documented plans.
Cybersecurity
Mayorkas: DHS running ransomware task force, White House plan coming
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Thursday said his agency plans to take up the recommendations from a new report focused on combating ransomware and that the White House is developing its own plan to confront the growing cybersecurity threat.
Digital Government
Biden Again Pitches Expanded Federal Research Investments to Keep U.S. Competitive
“China and other countries are closing in fast,” the president said during his first Congressional address.
Cybersecurity
Feds Eliminate Fee for '.Gov' Web Addresses
Smaller localities in particular have said that the $400 annual cost was a barrier to adopting the government-specific URL.
Modernization
Court to Explore Whether Trump Administration Interfered in JEDI Cloud Contract
The Defense Department previously said lengthy litigation could bring the contract’s future into question.
Cybersecurity
White House Endorses Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Water Infrastructure Bill
A recent attempt by hackers to poison the water supply in a Florida town prompted calls for more resources.
Cybersecurity
In Wake of Recent Breaches, FAA Wants to Up Cybersecurity of National Airspace System
The agency aims to be "more aggressive" in searching for network protections.
Cybersecurity
CISA experiments with cloud log aggregation to ID threats
CISA's chief technology officer said the cybersecurity watchdog has pilot projects underway with several departments and agencies to explore whether it can compile cloud logs as a way to increase its visibility into agency networks.
Cybersecurity
House Solarium Commission Members Press for More CISA Funding
“Congress was right to give the agency new authorities that allow it to better defend our interests in cyberspace, but without requisite funding, we’re setting CISA up for failure," the lawmakers wrote.
Cybersecurity
Senators Introduce Fresh Slate of Cybersecurity-Centered Bills
A couple would codify recommendations made by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
Ideas
The FBI Is Breaking into Corporate Computers to Remove Malicious Code – Smart Cyber Defense or Government Overreach
The actions raise questions about the power of courts to regulate cybersecurity without the consent of the owners of the targeted computers.
Cybersecurity
New bill would task CISA with infrastructure risk assessments
A new Senate bill would mandate the Department of Homeland Security continually reassess risks to critical infrastructure and that the White House provide a report to lawmakers outlining what legislative steps should be taken to mitigate potential problems.
Cybersecurity