Cybersecurity

Lessons from China’s Cyberattack Strategy Can Help CISOs Better Manage Threats, Report Says

A new report from Booz Allen Hamilton analyzed more than a dozen Chinese-sponsored cyberattacks over the past decade.

Cybersecurity

GAO: Communication Breakdowns Hurt Otherwise Positive View of Federal Ransomware Support

State, local, tribal and territorial governments have “generally positive views” of agencies’ ransomware assistance, but cited “inconsistent communication” from the FBI as a challenge.

Cybersecurity

Senators’ Plan to Secure Open Source Software Involves Agencies Using More of It

The discovery of exploitable weaknesses in Log4j is resurfacing a 6-year-old push to save taxpayers money by calling on agencies to embrace open-source code.

Cybersecurity

Senate Legislation to Secure Open Source Software Relies on Transparency Initiative

Success would depend to a significant degree on whether agencies require vendors of information and communications technology to provide a software bill of materials with their products and services.

Cybersecurity

Over Half of Operating Systems at VA Medical Center in Texas are Outdated, Watchdog Finds

An audit conducted by the VA’s Office of Inspector General found unaddressed security vulnerabilities and deficient devices at the Harlingen VA Health Care Center.

Cybersecurity

CISA, NSA Guidance Tries to Reduce Alternatives for Securing Industrial Control Systems

Policymakers in Congress and the administration are grappling with how to set a performance bar for companies' mitigation of cyber threats against critical infrastructure they own, while allowing flexibility the companies say is needed to run their operations.

Cybersecurity

DOD’s Digital Threats Are Increasingly Interconnecting, Watchdog Warns

GAO identified six areas that require more oversight, as Defense warfighting operations and national security increasingly hinge on data security.

Cybersecurity

Whole-of-Government Effort Targets Iranian Hackers

An unsealed indictment from the Department of Justice accompanied  sanctions and an advisory with international allies warning against government-linked Iranian hackers.

Digital Government

US Trails China in Key Tech Areas, New Report Warns

Ex-Google, DOD leaders paint dire picture unless U.S. organizes to win technology races.

Cybersecurity

A Cyber Workforce Strategy is Coming From the White House, Along with an Implementation Body to Make Sure it Works

The Office of the National Cyber Director has a workforce plan in development that looks to address public sector and private sector gaps in the cybersecurity profession.

Cybersecurity

U.S. Sanctions Iran—Under New Treasury Rules—for Attack on Albania

The new rules elaborate on what kinds of cyber activities warrant sanctions designation.

Cybersecurity

How Simple Claims of Election Interference Can be Enough to Prompt Real-World Threats

Federal officials remain on guard against foreign meddling in U.S. elections, as CISA and other agencies work to strengthen partnerships and intelligence sharing efforts with state and local election administrators.

Cybersecurity

High-Tech Financial Crimes Warrant Coordinated Digital Identity Efforts, FinCEN Warns

Leaders at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network noted that stronger authentication measures are critical and spurred by emerging technologies.

Modernization

DHS Report Offers Electromagnetic Pulse Protection Measures for Critical Infrastructure

The report uses approaches for safeguarding the National Public Warning System as a blueprint for defending other vital systems and services from electromagnetic pulses.

Cybersecurity

White House Attributes Attack on Albania’s Critical Infrastructure to Iran 

A statement from the National Security Council noted the potential for deviations from international norms to escalate conflict and promised accountability.

Cybersecurity

Army Updates Cyber Training After Some Graduates Weren’t Ready for Their Jobs

New classes and updated curriculum reflect evolving threats and lessons from the Ukraine war.

Cybersecurity

Treasury Reissues Rules to Enforce Cyber Sanctions on Foreign Adversaries  

The rules could apply to any new executive order related to the national security emergency President Obama declared in 2015, in advance of a cybersecurity agreement with China.

Cybersecurity

NTSB Only Federal Agency Lacking a CISA-Mandated Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

CISA’s 2020 directive required that federal agencies under its authority develop policies allowing researchers to report bugs and flaws in public-facing systems.

Cybersecurity

NIST to Launch New Guidance on Security Risks of Telehealth and Smart Home Integration

The agency notes that “user experience” improvements may come with less control over privacy and security.