Cyber Defense

Democrats fear cyberattacks as government shutdown looms

Lawmakers are expressing concerns that the shutdown could radically hinder the work of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in responding to major ransomware incidents and other digital intrusions. 

  • By Chris Riotta

New Pentagon cyber strategy emphasizes industry and global partnerships

A top Defense Department official described the private sector as “absolutely essential” in implementing the agency’s new cyber strategy.

  • By Chris Riotta

HHS looks to improve cybersecurity coordination

The agency is utilizing a relaunched cybersecurity coordination center and additional programs to significantly ramp up interactions with key partners, a top official said.

  • By Chris Riotta

CISA seeks vendor commitments to boost cybersecurity in K-12 schools

The nation’s cyber defense agency is building onto White House efforts to secure schools' systems nationwide with the help of major education software companies.

  • By Chris Riotta

Emerging tech is an SBA priority for both internal systems and external assistance

The Small Business Administration is leading the charge to democratize access to emerging technologies — particularly AI — across U.S. companies.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

FDIC needs to sharpen its cyberthreat sharing with financial institutions, OIG says

Despite recent improvements, a watchdog report claims the agency still has more it can do to make threat-sharing policies more effective. 

  • By Carten Cordell

Army hopes big-data techniques can help secure its clouds

“Multifactor authentication will not be enough,” said the Army’s senior cyber leader.

  • By Patrick Tucker

White House looks to shore up open source software security

The Office of the National Cyber Director wants software providers to "contribute back to the security of the open source software they depend upon."

  • By Chris Riotta

White House plan to secure schools from cyber threats ‘may not go far enough,’ experts say

As families across the country prepare for the back-to-school season, federal officials are preparing for increased cyberattacks targeting the nation’s education system.

  • By Chris Riotta

White House and DARPA challenge innovators to bring AI tools to cyber defense

The AI Cyber Challenge asks leading companies to develop advanced AI systems that will contribute to critical infrastructure cybersecurity — with nearly $20 million available in prizes.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Updated NIST cyber framework focuses on on governance

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking public feedback on its revamped Cybersecurity Framework, which includes guidance on operationalizing cyber best practices.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

White House cyber office makes new workforce-focused hire

Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale is joining the White House Office of the National Cyber Director, following work in the private sector, Defense Department and cyber research space.

  • By Natalie Alms

CISA unveils plan to measure cybersecurity success

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's 2024-2026 cybersecurity roadmap  focuses on public-private partnerships and using metrics to gauge the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Cyber workforce strategy requires buy-in across sectors, experts say

The new strategy released this week looks to address longstanding challenges in the cyber workforce – but it will require extensive cooperation from the private sector and academia to be successful, experts told Nextgov/FCW. 

  • By Chris Riotta
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The world is ‘reentering an era of strategic competition’ with cyber, official says

Cyberspace Ambassador Nathaniel Fick argued that the U.S. needs to be able to provide cybersecurity assistance to allies in a way that incorporates emerging technologies.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Biden selects NSA veteran as national cyber director nominee

White House officials named former National Security Agency official Harry Coker, Jr. as the nominee to replace former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis amid the ongoing implementation of the new National Cyber Strategy.

  • By Carten Cordell

VA CIO says a zero trust ‘North Star’ is essential to secure veteran data 

VA Chief Information Officer Kurt DelBene told Nextgov/FCW that the department “faces a unique challenge” in adopting zero trust because of the need to secure veterans’ personal information. 

  • By Edward Graham

Justice to merge 2 offices in step with cyber implementation plan

The agency has been granted new and important roles under the Biden administration’s plan to safeguard U.S. digital networks.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

White House announces new program to designate cyber-secure IoT devices

The Biden administration announced its Cyber Trust Mark labeling program to ensure commercial smart home devices have sufficient cybersecurity tech in place.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Experts warn of financial challenges and gaps in cyber implementation plan 

From a crucial lack of federal funding to longstanding issues with the cyber workforce, experts told Nextgov/FCW that the new cybersecurity implementation plan features major “financial potholes.”

  • By Chris Riotta

White House unveils fiscal 2025 cybersecurity investment priorities

The administration is urging agencies to align their fiscal 2025 budget requests with recent guidance that prioritizes strengthening federal networks and systems against cyber intrusions.

  • By Chris Riotta