Ideas

The Cybersecurity Executive Order Is a Missed Opportunity

This executive order is designed to strengthen federal cybersecurity, not that of the private sector, including critical infrastructure providers.

Cybersecurity

Pipeline Security Act Reintroduced in House

More than a dozen lawmakers have cosponsored the legislation following the Colonial Pipeline attack.

Cybersecurity

Army’s Cybersecurity ‘Greatly Concerns’ Wormuth After Pipeline Attack

Biden’s Army Secretary nominee told the Senate she’d fight deep troop cuts and support long-range fires and new measures against sexual crimes and extremism, if confirmed.

Cybersecurity

Federal Agencies Say ‘No Evidence’ Hackers Affected Colonial’s Operational Technology 

A leading GOP lawmaker is pressuring CISA to release data on the agency’s pipeline cybersecurity initiative. 

Cybersecurity

Senators Cite Colonial Pipeline Hack in Calling for Cyber Response and Recovery Fund

A hearing on federal agencies’ response to the SolarWinds hack drew attention to communication issues, both with the private sector and within the government.

Cybersecurity

Cyberspace Solarium Commissioners Concerned Over Security of Nation’s Water Supply

Having succeeded in passing a number of their recommendations through the last National Defense Authorization Act, the commissioners plan to embrace an oversight role as they push for more new laws.

Cybersecurity

NSA to Defense Sector: Think Twice Before Connecting Operational Technology to the Internet

The agency recognized benefits such as enabling remote work but notes the inherent risks and costs of putting industrial control system components online.

Ideas

What Texas Power Outages Can Teach Us About Securing the Electric Grid

Cyber threats have the potential to impact the power grid in a similarly serious manner.

Digital Government

Biden Again Pitches Expanded Federal Research Investments to Keep U.S. Competitive

“China and other countries are closing in fast,” the president said during his first Congressional address.

Cybersecurity

White House Endorses Inclusion of Cybersecurity in Water Infrastructure Bill 

A recent attempt by hackers to poison the water supply in a Florida town prompted calls for more resources.

Cybersecurity

Senators Introduce Fresh Slate of Cybersecurity-Centered Bills

A couple would codify recommendations made by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

Artificial Intelligence

Regulators Want to Know How AI Should (and Shouldn’t) Be Used In Nuclear Power Plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission put out a call for feedback on using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the safety and reliability of the grid.

Cybersecurity

Energy Department Announces 100-Day Sprint to Shore Up Power Grid Cybersecurity

The department will partner with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and utilities to improve visibility, detection and response to cyber threats.

Policy

Jobs Plan Is Part of Competing with China, Commerce Secretary Says

Gina Raimondo said President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal will be key in out-competing China.

Cybersecurity

Electric Cars, Smart Refrigerators Pose Cyber Risk To US Utilities, GAO Finds

The risks aren’t well understood by researchers, in part because of local and state control of electrical utilities.

Digital Government

Biden Infrastructure Plan Includes Billions for Federal Buildings and Research

The American Jobs Plan proposes spending a small chunk of the $2 trillion on improving federal office buildings and hospitals.

Digital Government

Gallup: Americans’ Anxiety About Energy Prices, Supply Sharply Rises

In the organization’s latest poll, 73% of those surveyed say they worry a “great deal/fair amount” about the availability and affordability of energy.

Policy

Buttigieg Underscores Urgency of Transportation Infrastructure Investment

Republican lawmakers are skeptical of the scope of the Biden administration’s planned infrastructure package, which the president is expected to provide more details on next week.