Digital Government

Defense Intelligence Agency Is Scoping Out Social Media Background Checkers

The effort is part of a shift away from screening intelligence and military staff every five years, as is current practice.

Ideas

To Succeed in Cyberspace, Don’t Forget the Human Element

Adm. Michael Rogers reminded us of the most critical—and challenging—aspect of all cyber operations: “Never, ever forget the human dynamic.”

Digital Government

Inside NSA’s 'Sociotechnical' Data Experiment

The numbers alone aren't enough to change how an agency makes decisions.

Digital Government

NSA Plan to Trash Employee Complaint Files Raises Concerns for Some

The move comes amid a legal battle about the potential improper disposal of whistleblower evidence.

Cybersecurity

Ex-NSA Deputy Director Wants Coded Messages for All

However, techies, entrepreneurs and the feds should first be hashing out its application, to defuse tensions over the prospect of coded messages for all, Chris Inglis said.

Cybersecurity

Who’s Worried About the 96 Percent Retention Rate at NSA?

With such low turnover, Silicon Valley and other parts of the private sector might outperform NSA in snapping up fresh talent.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Bill Boosts DHS Cyberthreat Sharing but Critics Fear Backdoor to NSA Surveillance

The $1.1 trillion spending bill creates an instant information-sharing regime housed at DHS.

Cybersecurity

This ISIS-Endorsed Encryption Contractor Says It Will Now Screen Who's Buying Its Services

The goal is to stop terrorists from using stolen credit cards bought off the online black market, and entering bogus physical addresses to register for encryption services.

Cybersecurity

NSA Stepped In to Thwart OPM Hackers -- Eventually

It wasn't until after the intrusion NSA was able to provide OPM with help to try to figure out what had happened, NSA Director Adm. Michael Rogers said.

Digital Government

Federal Court Overturns Ruling Against NSA Mass-Surveillance Program

The bulk-collection program was reined in earlier this summer when Congress passed the USA Freedom Act.

Ideas

5 Things You Need To Know About the USA Freedom Act

Its predecessor, the Patriot Act, garnered outrage and changed security policy globally. What should we expect from the Freedom Act, hastily passed last week?

Emerging Tech

Could Big Data Fix Government’s Cyber Problem?

A majority of federal, local and state cybersecurity professionals polled in a new study believe their organizations are “overwhelmed” by the volume of security data.

Cybersecurity

The Secret’s Out: NSA Personnel are Out-Hacking the Chinese and Russians

The all-star hacker group purportedly affiliated with U.S. intelligence has breached perhaps tens of thousands of individuals in sectors spanning government, telecommunications, energy, encryption and academia.