Cybersecurity
CrowdStrike: Nation-state cyber operations gaining steam
Cyber operations have become even more integral to global powers, according to a threat report, even as the U.S. seeks to impose greater costs for bad behavior in the digital space.
Cybersecurity
DHS official: no evidence federal domains hijacked in global DNS campaign
A two-year campaign that prompted the Department of Homeland Security to issue its first-ever emergency directive to agencies to shore up cyber defenses appears in part to have been an attempt to spy on U.S. government internet traffic.
Cybersecurity
CISA says it's ramping up election security efforts for 2020
DHS' cyber chief pushed back on media reports that it was drawing down personnel and resources from efforts to combat foreign interference with U.S. elections.
Cybersecurity
Cyber chief pushes audits as key to election security
Some states and localities are still struggling to practice basic cyber hygiene when it comes to securing election infrastructure, according to a top federal cybersecurity official.
Digital Government
DOJ IG focuses on FBI text collection problems
Auditors say the FBI must address the combination of technical and non-technical issues that have led to years of inconsistent collection and retention of employee texts.
Modernization
Trump signs order to accelerate AI development
The White House issued an executive order Feb. 11 directing federal agencies to invest more money and resources into the development and promotion of artificial intelligence technologies.
Cybersecurity
1 in 3 FHFA employees failed phishing test
A penetration test found some concerning vulnerabilities at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, but auditors weren't able to gain access.
Cybersecurity
Senators want DHS to look into government use of foreign VPNs
Sens. Ron Wyden and Marco Rubio have asked the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to consider banning federal employees from using apps created by foreign companies, which they claim could contain spyware.
Cybersecurity
Senators reintroduce rotational cyber workforce bill
A bipartisan group of senators has reintroduced legislation that would make it easier for cyber specialists in the federal government to detail at other agencies and lend their expertise.
Cybersecurity
China-linked hacker group has gone quiet, but DHS expects resurgence
A hacking group behind a widespread cyber espionage campaign against IT service providers has gone quiet since two of its members were indicted but remains an active threat to American businesses.
Digital Government
DOJ, DHS say foreign influence campaigns didn't alter 2018 elections
An interagency process assessed efforts to hack into voting machines and election systems or alter voter behavior through covert influence campaigns on social platforms and other media.
Digital Government
State election officials seek more security money, fewer mandates
For more secure election equipment to be available for the 2020 vote, Congress needs to act in 2019, state officials say.
Cybersecurity
Moving the needle on cyber norms
In an increasingly crowded field of international frameworks for cyber norms, a non-governmental organization is seeking to shape the terms of the debate.
Cybersecurity
Feds lead industry in DMARC adoption
A new report finds that the federal government is far and away the leading adopter of tools designed to snuff out email and website spoofing compared to other sectors and industries.
Modernization
IG says VA is falling short on data center optimization
The Department of Veterans Affairs is failing to meet key data center optimization requirements under the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act, a new government audit finds.
Cybersecurity
What was the cybersecurity impact of the shutdown?
With a short-term spending deal in place, many Democrats on Capitol Hill want to know how much damage the shutdown caused to federal cybersecurity.
Digital Government
With shutdown clouds lifting, CISA spins back up
The agency will focus on restarting election security efforts and implementing an emergency cybersecurity directive.
Cybersecurity
Patriot Act updates lurk for Congress
The upcoming expiration of a handful of key provisions in the Patriot Act at the end of the year could set up another battle in Congress over the size and scope of U.S. surveillance authorities.
Modernization
New intel strategy stresses data collection, cyber threats
A new U.S. strategy document calls for the U.S. intelligence community to boost cyber threat intelligence sharing and augment data collection and analysis capabilities.
Cybersecurity