Cybersecurity

Presidential Advisers Make the Case for a New Cybersecurity Center for Sharing Threats

Current federal efforts to help mitigate threats against privately operated critical infrastructure fall short, according to a National Infrastructure Advisory Council report.

Cybersecurity

FBI, CISA, State Leaders Warn Schools About Ransomware Threats

The percentage of ransomware attacks perpetrated against schools more than doubled in 2020.

Cybersecurity

Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scammers, FTC Warns

The Federal Trade Commission expects some opportunists to attempt to bilk the public when COVID-19 vaccines are made available.

Ideas

Insecure Communications Like WhatsApp Are Putting U.S. National Security at Risk

The proliferation of consumer-grade communications applications has given rise to widespread, unsanctioned use throughout the military community.

Cybersecurity

NSA Warns That Russian Hackers Are Targeting Virtual Workspaces

The agency urges administrators to prioritize mitigation of a vulnerability affecting six VMware products.

Cybersecurity

CISA Warns of Iran’s Offensive Cyber Capabilities

One observer suggests the alert is meant more for the adversary than defenders.

Cybersecurity

CISA, FBI Warn that U.S. Think Tanks Are in Hackers’ Crosshairs

The agencies share guidance for shoring up defenses in a remote work environment that can disguise attackers.

Cybersecurity

What DOD’s Cyber Certification Program Reveals About Info-Sharing Challenges

As the new regime takes effect, the tech industry’s lead trade association would rather higher level certifications be done by the department than independent third parties.

Cybersecurity

Biden Team Highlights Cybersecurity Focus With First Cabinet Picks

Familiar faces will likely have to revisit efforts around information sharing and establishing global norms.

Cybersecurity

State Department Facing 'Significant' Information Security Issues, OIG Says

Information security and management was one of seven major management and performance issues the State Department faced in fiscal year 2020.

Digital Government

Tech Trade Group: IT Modernization Investment May Increase Under Biden

The group expects the Biden administration to expand IT modernization efforts, in part to respond to COVID-19.

Cybersecurity

Agency Cybersecurity Waivers Would Face New Time Limits, Oversight Under New Bill

The proposal would require approval from the Office of Management and Budget for skipping encryption and multifactor authentication.

Cybersecurity

OPM Offers New Guidance for Cybersecurity Rotational Programs 

The personnel office also explains how participants may proceed with pending clearance investigations.

Emerging Tech

How the Pandemic Changed the Defense Digital Service’s Portfolio

While the group supports multiple COVID-19 efforts, DDS Director Brett Goldstein is also looking ahead to DOD’s data challenges and possible expansion of Hack the Pentagon.

Cybersecurity

CISA Needs More Resources to Avoid ‘Whack-a-Mole’ Operation, Lawmaker Says

The agency shelved routine work protecting federal networks to turn its attention to pressing pandemic and election issues. 

Podcasts

Critical Update: The Government’s Cloud Anxiety 

As more federal agencies shift to cloud computing, officials are reexamining the responsibilities customers and service providers must bear to secure data.

Ideas

To Improve Safety of Defense Networks, Eighty-Six Dot1x

The protocol creates the false sense of security that all devices are being screened, even if minimally, for security when in fact they are not.