Digital Government

What the FBI vs. Apple Encryption Fight Is Really About

When software engineers at Apple designed the iPhone’s security features, they labored knowing that millions were relying on them to safeguard their privacy.

Digital Government

Apple vs. the FBI

The company says it will fight an order that instructs it to provide “reasonable technical assistance” to unlock an iPhone that belonged to one of the San Bernardino attackers.

Modernization

Here’s Why the FBI Can’t Hack Into iPhones

It comes down to one setting, that anyone can turn on or off in seconds.

Cybersecurity

Apple balks at court order to unlock San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone

A District Court judge has ordered Apple to help the FBI break into the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters. Many technologists are up in arms, and Apple is not backing down.

Cybersecurity

Cyberwar keeps CIA's Brennan up at night

CIA Director John Brennan said a terrorist attack on American soil is inevitable, the Paris attack resulted from a "failure of intelligence" and the growing threat of cyberwarfare is "the thing that keeps me up at night."

Cybersecurity

Intel officials dwell on encryption as a potential security problem

FBI Director James Comey and other senior intelligence leaders told Congress that the use of encrypted communications by terrorists and other adversaries remains a problem for investigators.

Cybersecurity

New bill seeks to preempt state encryption rules

Two lawmakers want to head off efforts by states to write their own rules when it comes to encryption and law enforcement.

Emerging Tech

The Research Pirates of the Dark Web

After getting shut down late last year, a website that allows free access to paywalled academic papers has sprung back up in a shadowy corner of the Internet.

Cybersecurity

McCain exhorts Silicon Valley to play ball on 'going dark' issue

In a Feb. 5 op-ed, the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman called industry executives' objections to weakening encryption "ideologically motivated and profit-driven, though not without merit."

Ideas

What’s Missing in the Encryption, Privacy and Security Debate

There are four key considerations surrounding the secure design of mobile devices we should keep in mind in both a government and private sector context.

Digital Government

The Government Might Subpoena Your Toaster. Blame the Internet of Things.

Law-enforcement officials say they’re running out of ways to spy on criminals and terrorists. Maybe they’re not looking in the right places.

Digital Government

Harvard Study: Criminals Aren’t Actually ‘Going Dark’ Using Encryption

Who needs to access encrypted text messages when law enforcement could listen in through a smart TV?

Cybersecurity

Study says law enforcement can make do without encryption override

Some in law enforcement want the keys to commercial encryption for investigative purposes, but a new study suggests there are other ways to capture the digital lives of criminal suspects.

Cybersecurity

NIST looks to strengthen crypto backbone

NIST is looking to increase trust in the technical underpinnings of encryption, by strengthening cryptographic random bit generators.

Digital Government

Obama Administration’s Encryption Views Are All Over the Map

Some government officials are focused on catching criminals, while others worry about empowering hackers.

Cybersecurity

Oversight Lawmakers Probe Extent of Juniper Hack Across Federal Government

Last month, the company announced the discovery of unauthorized code in its technology.

Digital Government

Here’s How the Pentagon Plans to Protect Security Clearance Data

The new IT systems storing background investigation forms on millions of federal employees and contractors will use end-to-end encryption.

Cybersecurity

Justice seeking access to encrypted communications

Law enforcement agencies remain concerned that strong encryption of everyday electronic communications is hampering criminal investigations and prosecutions, a top Justice official said.

Cybersecurity

Rogers: Cyber Command capabilities at 'tipping point'

The Pentagon's cyber mission force is developing more "tangible" capabilities "that you will see us start to apply in a broader and broader way," said Adm. Michael Rogers, head of NSA and Cyber Command.