Cybersecurity

McCain exhorts Silicon Valley to play ball on 'going dark' issue

In a Feb. 5 op-ed, the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman called industry executives' objections to weakening encryption "ideologically motivated and profit-driven, though not without merit."

Ideas

What’s Missing in the Encryption, Privacy and Security Debate

There are four key considerations surrounding the secure design of mobile devices we should keep in mind in both a government and private sector context.

Digital Government

The Government Might Subpoena Your Toaster. Blame the Internet of Things.

Law-enforcement officials say they’re running out of ways to spy on criminals and terrorists. Maybe they’re not looking in the right places.

Digital Government

Harvard Study: Criminals Aren’t Actually ‘Going Dark’ Using Encryption

Who needs to access encrypted text messages when law enforcement could listen in through a smart TV?

Cybersecurity

Study says law enforcement can make do without encryption override

Some in law enforcement want the keys to commercial encryption for investigative purposes, but a new study suggests there are other ways to capture the digital lives of criminal suspects.

Cybersecurity

NIST looks to strengthen crypto backbone

NIST is looking to increase trust in the technical underpinnings of encryption, by strengthening cryptographic random bit generators.

Digital Government

Obama Administration’s Encryption Views Are All Over the Map

Some government officials are focused on catching criminals, while others worry about empowering hackers.

Cybersecurity

Oversight Lawmakers Probe Extent of Juniper Hack Across Federal Government

Last month, the company announced the discovery of unauthorized code in its technology.

Digital Government

Here’s How the Pentagon Plans to Protect Security Clearance Data

The new IT systems storing background investigation forms on millions of federal employees and contractors will use end-to-end encryption.

Cybersecurity

Justice seeking access to encrypted communications

Law enforcement agencies remain concerned that strong encryption of everyday electronic communications is hampering criminal investigations and prosecutions, a top Justice official said.

Cybersecurity

Rogers: Cyber Command capabilities at 'tipping point'

The Pentagon's cyber mission force is developing more "tangible" capabilities "that you will see us start to apply in a broader and broader way," said Adm. Michael Rogers, head of NSA and Cyber Command.

Cybersecurity

U.S. discloses zero-day exploitation practices

The government officially revealed that it uses undisclosed vulnerabilities in commercial software for surveillance and offensive cyber purposes.

Cybersecurity

Bill coming to establish encryption commission

Lawmakers plan legislation to create an encryption commission to make recommendations on how companies and law enforcement can work together.

Cybersecurity

McCaul adviser sees digital security commission launching soon

Legislation to establish a commission on encryption and other security issues "is going to happen," said Col. Andrea Thompson, a national security adviser to the House Homeland Security Committee.

Cybersecurity

The Hidden History of Encryption

The technology that keeps your text messages private had its start on the banks of the Tigris River, 3500 years ago.

Digital Government

The Cunning Way Hackers Break So-Called Unbreakable Encryption

If you’re a cryptographer, patterns are your enemy. But if you’re a cryptanalyst—someone who’s trying to break the code—they’re your friend.

Cybersecurity

Juniper Hack: DHS Tells Agencies to Close Encryption Backdoors

The government is scouring its IT inventory to identify affected Juniper systems.

Digital Government

Lawmaker: 'Encryption is Going to be a Big Issue in 2016'

Fueled by recent events and the 2016 election, expect the debate over encryption to heat up next year.

Cybersecurity

Clinton calls for 'Manhattan-like project' on encryption

Clinton has elevated her voice among current and former Obama administration officials warning of the potentially dire consequences of "going dark."

Digital Government

FBI Director Says San Bernardino Shooters Didn’t Post Public Social Media Messages

The attackers sent messages, but they were private and couldn’t have been caught by intelligence.