Modernization

All in for FirstNet

The planned national wireless interoperable emergency responder network got 100 percent buy in, but some stakeholders needed some prodding.

Cybersecurity

Kaspersky challenges DHS software ban in court

Kaspersky Lab announced Dec. 18 that it will challenge a DHS directive banning the use of their software in the federal government.

Modernization

Contractor agrees to new security protocols after exposing sensitive DISA data to Russia

Netcracker Technology Corp. signed an agreement to keep U.S. customer data in U.S. systems, settling a case that goes back to the Bush administration.

Modernization

Granite State opts out of FirstNet

Although 35 states and territories have decided to join the AT&T-based public safety broadband network, the proposal by Rivada Networks was "far and away our best option," the governor said.

Digital Government

Is the FBI investigating Georgia's wiped election server?

Director Christopher Wray declined to answer questions from lawmakers about whether the FBI retained data on a Georgia election server before it was wiped clean by state election officials.

Cybersecurity

SEC cyber squad halts cryptocurrency offering

The new Cyber Unit at the Securities and Exchange Commission stopped an ongoing cryptocurrency offering that has attracted approximately $15 million in investment since launching in August.

Cybersecurity

U.S. indicts three hackers linked to APT3

Federal authorities indicted three Chinese hackers for operations that allegedly stole trade secrets from corporations.

Cybersecurity

Fallout from Twitter summons reveals widespread CBP violations

The Customs and Border Protection's attempt to out a rogue employee on Twitter earlier this year has revealed other abuses of authority, a watchdog finds.

Cybersecurity

New threats from North Korean malware

The North Korean cyber threat expands to include attacks against aviation, financial services and government, according to new federal advisories.

Acquisition

Army IT official sentenced in bribery scheme

Ranier Ramos, formerly of the U.S. Army Public Health Command, will serve a year in federal prison and pay millions in penalties and restitution.

Cybersecurity

Sessions pushes back on proposed House surveillance reform

Attorney General Jeff Sessions told a Senate panel that the administration is open to FISA reform, but doesn't want to saddle the FBI with a warrant requirement.

Cybersecurity

DOJ rebrands encryption pitch

A senior Justice official wants the private sector to adopt "responsible encryption" that allows law enforcement access via warrant to encrypted communications.

Cybersecurity

E-Verify role upped in White House plans

A new White House immigration wish list calls for 100 percent employer participation in DHS' online worker status verification system.

Cybersecurity

$10B House border bill pushes high-tech solutions

The House Homeland Security Committee approved a bill to build in tech and new acquisition rules to border security.

Cybersecurity

Digital rights advocates slam DOJ data request

Nearly 80 civil and digital rights organizations wrote a letter to the Department of Justice objecting to its "overly broad" data request aimed at a website that coordinated inauguration protests.

Cybersecurity

How to spot a North Korean bot

U.S. cyber watchdogs have new details on malware botnet infrastructure that is allegedly controlled by the North Korean government.

Digital Government

How data mining can help chase sex traffickers

To aid law enforcement, researchers developed automated data mining techniques that can identify human traffickers by linking bitcoin, online advertisements and writing style.

Acquisition

IT firms part of $16M false claims settlement

A Virginia IT products and services company agreed to settle with the government over allegations of false claims and fraud in federal small business contracts.

Digital Government

Federal student loan data targeted in fraud

Officials have declined to prosecute in a case where employees at a private firm tampered with a federal student loan database.

Cybersecurity

FBI warns on IP addresses

The FBI issued an alert in late July advising industry, government and academic institutions about persistent cyber threats from a group with ties to Iran.