Author Archive
Cybersecurity
CISA to issue list of software products critical to agency security by end of September
The software offerings are crucial for federal cybersecurity because of certain privileges and controls they enable, as defined by NIST.
Policy
Biden signs extension of controversial spying program into 2026
The Section 702 authorities were reauthorized without the addition of a warrant requirement to review the communications of Americans caught up in foreign surveillance.
Digital Government
Federal CIO defends Login security after health agency dropped it from grantee system
Clare Martorana doubled down on Login’s capabilities, saying the government “needs to continue to rely” on the tool.
Digital Government
Foreign adversaries using AI to push disinformation, crumble election process, US warns
The documented reports and research of foreign propaganda campaigns align with new private sector analysis about recent efforts to flatline U.S. election confidence.
Cybersecurity
House passes bill barring spy agencies, law enforcement from buying Americans’ personal data
The measure doesn’t have support from the Biden administration, which argues it threatens national security and worsens Americans’ privacy protections.
Cybersecurity
Russian hackers breached, sabotaged Texas water treatment plant, cyber firm says
If confirmed by U.S. officials, it would add Moscow to the list of American adversaries that have infiltrated water infrastructure in the past year.
Cybersecurity
Hackers tried to breach, disable widely used open-source Java tools, groups warn
The alert comes just after a possible nation state entity attempted to hijack an open-source Linux tool last month.
Cybersecurity
New bill would create a governing body for water system cyber standards
The legislation comes after the Biden administration rescinded a memorandum that would have tied water sector cyber reviews to existing sanitation surveys.
Cybersecurity
HHS removed Login from its grantee payment system after funding theft
Hackers used data from a federal contracting hub to steal funding from seven grantee organizations in an HHS breach that occurred last year. Both HHS and GSA say that Login.gov was not compromised or connected to the theft.
Policy
House advances spy power reauthorization bill without warrant measure
The bill — which represents a win for Biden administration policy objectives — will now be taken up in the Senate, with a week to go before the authority sunsets.
Cybersecurity
Russian hackers accessed U.S. government emails in Microsoft breach, CISA says
The alert comes a week after Microsoft was faulted in a DHS report for fostering a security culture that enabled a similar China-backed cyberattack last year.
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Cybersecurity
Some Volt Typhoon victims ‘won’t know they’re impacted,’ Mandiant CEO says
The efforts of the Beijing-linked Volt Typhoon hacking group represent the “natural progression” of Chinese espionage, according to Kevin Mandia.
Cybersecurity
CISA alerts Sisense breach that possibly exposed customer data
An internal company note appears to show some firm info may have been exfiltrated.
Cybersecurity
Microsoft report signals ‘great concern’ for dam cybersecurity, top FERC official says
The company’s products are heavily used in the dam sector, the official said.
Cybersecurity
Cyber Command deployed personnel on 22 missions in 17 countries last year, commander says
The DOD previously said it’d be taking a more offensive approach to cyberspace.
Acquisition
When can US spies buy your personal data? New guidelines are coming
Certain missions require government acquisition of personal information collected by data brokers, and appropriate safeguards need to be put in place, the official said at a Cyber Command-hosted event.
Acquisition
Wyden bill requires new cyber standards in federal tech procurement
The legislation comes in the wake of several cyber incidents targeting the federal government.
Policy
Section 702 renewal has support in Congress, but intelligence officials are leery of warrant measure
The disputed surveillance authority expires April 19, and the intelligence community is sending a full-court press to keep it from garnering significant privacy reforms.
Cybersecurity
Congress tries again for comprehensive data privacy bill
The bill would establish national data privacy standards, with the Federal Trade Commission crafting rules for enforcement.
Cybersecurity