Cyber Threats

‘Continuing Significant Deficiencies’ Hamper VA’s Information Security Controls, Audit Finds

An audit released by the VA Office of Inspector General found that the department “needs to implement improved controls” to address persistent gaps in its information security program.

Ransomware Vulnerability Warning Pilot Yielding Valuable Lessons, CISA Says

A new interagency effort to proactively mitigate ransomware vulnerabilities has helped expand information sharing between the public and private sectors, according to a risk operations official from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 

VA Seeks Cyber Operations Help

The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for capabilities ranging from cyber incident response and cloud threat detection to insider threat analysis to support its security operations center in a new market research request.

Quantum Cryptography Market to Exceed $3B by 2028

The growth reflects rising concern about the potential threat posed by fully realized quantum computers.

Lawmakers Tell Biden They are ‘Extremely Concerned’ About Critical Vacant Cyber Role

The Office of the National Cyber Director has not had a Senate-confirmed director since former Director Chris Inglis left the post nearly three months ago, just prior to the release of the national cyber strategy.

Federal Operation Takes Down Sophisticated Russian Malware

Snake malware has plagued international digital networks for nearly two decades; a joint federal effort finally dismantled the web of espionage spyware.

State-Sponsored Actors Leading Cause of Cyber Concern in Public Sector

A new SolarWinds report details how foreign hackers have become the largest concern among government entities, and how zero-trust strategies have become the most popular defense.

CISA, FBI Need Data from Cybercrime Victims to Support Policy

The federal agencies tasked with tracking and preventing cybercrime rely on collaboration and data sharing to protect U.S. digital networks.

US Marshals to Unveil ‘Fully Reconstituted System’ Following Ransomware Attack

Offline since February, the new system will have improved cybersecurity countermeasures.

Federal Law Enforcement’s New Focus is on ‘Disruption’ of Cybercrime

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted that success will be seen with a “bias towards action,” rather than just courtroom victories.

DHS Outlines Cyber Priorities in Release of Delayed Review

The Department of Homeland Security’s long-delayed Quadrennial Homeland Security Review warned that “more complex” threats to the nation, such as crippling cyberattacks, could affect “multiple industries, sectors and national critical functions.”

Cybersecurity Still 'High Risk' in GAO’s Book After Over 25 years

The management of the government’s IT acquisitions and operations is also on the Government Accountability Office’s biennial high risk list update this year, as it has been since 2015.

CISA Taking Over Open-Source Logging Tool Created by UK Government

The Logging Made Easy tool will move to CISA’s GitHub page later this year but will be unsupported in the meantime.

Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Bolster Cybersecurity of K-12 Schools

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation directs CISA to provide primary and secondary schools with more targeted cyber information and resources to combat a rise in ransomware attacks.

US Must Be More Aware of 'Adversarial Side' of AI, DHS Official Warns

The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate aims to better understand AI as it becomes integrated with the nation’s infrastructure.

US Officials Charge Chinese Agents with Running ‘Secret Police Station’ in NYC

Prosecutors unveiled charges Monday against a “troll farm” and Chinese nationals who worked with a Zoom employee to crash meetings with U.S.-based dissidents.

HHS Launches New Cybersecurity Awareness Resources

The Department of Health and Human Services issued three new online resources for health care entities to fortify their digital networks.