Exclusive Cybersecurity

Flaws in public records management tool could let hackers nab sensitive data linked to requests

The GovQA platform, created by IT company Granicus, contained vulnerabilities that could have let cybercriminals retrieve tranches of sensitive files tied to public records requests, a security researcher revealed to Nextgov/FCW.

Cybersecurity

Government facilities were third largest ransomware target in 2023, FBI says

The FBI’s IC3 findings also show government official impersonation scams are on the rise.

Cybersecurity

House panel to weigh bill barring data brokers from making transfers to foreign rivals

The measure, backed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s leaders, considers similar data types listed in a recently signed data security executive order.

Digital Government

CISA is still maintaining radio silence with social media as Super Tuesday kicks off

The lack of communication stems from an ongoing Supreme Court case that one top senator says Biden administration lawyers have been “too timid” in addressing.

Cybersecurity

CISA is coordinating with election security partners for Super Tuesday voting 

The principal agency responsible for election security is asking public and private sector election administrators to share potential threat information as voters go to the polls.

Cybersecurity

Biden’s new data security order leaves industry officials, privacy advocates scratching their heads

Implementing the executive order will involve crafting new legal mechanisms for data transfers while assuaging ongoing privacy concerns.

Cybersecurity

FCC staff targeted in phishing attack that cloned agency login site

A cybercriminal group built a duplicate webpage used by employees to validate their login credentials.

Policy

Biden admin to seek surveillance court blessing to renew Section 702 program through next year

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court will receive the White House filing next month.

Policy

Civil liberties groups urge Congress to keep 702 measures out of upcoming funding votes

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire on April 19 unless reauthorized by Congress.

Cybersecurity

Biden executive order aims to stop adversaries from obtaining, exploiting Americans’ personal data

Data brokers under the order are barred from selling bulk caches of sensitive Americans’ data to multiple foreign countries, including China and Russia.

Cybersecurity

Energy to fund 16 infrastructure cybersecurity projects 

The White House’s cybersecurity strategy implementation plan asks the agency to identify pilot projects for energy infrastructure security.

Cybersecurity

NIST debuts the finalized update to its Cybersecurity Framework

The streamlined blueprint has already gotten positive feedback from private sector organizations.

Cybersecurity

White House urges software developers to use memory-safe programming languages

A number of headline-making cyberattacks started with memory safety flaws, a White House cyber official said.

People

Top Pentagon IT official departs deputy CIO role

Lily Zeleke will be taking over “new responsibilities” at the agency, though it’s still unknown what her new position is.

Cybersecurity

New cloud security task force presses for stakeholder accountability

A team convened to focus on cloud security is challenging industry, Congress and the executive branch to address longstanding concerns.

Cybersecurity

FCC to vote on authorizing cyber labeling rules next month

The move is a major piece of a Biden administration push to bring more cyber transparency to consumer products.

Cybersecurity

Russian information operations to likely increase in 2024 amid global election activity, CrowdStrike says

The findings should come as no surprise with the advent of generative AI tools, ongoing geopolitical conflicts and a busy year for elections in the U.S. and Europe.

Cybersecurity

Biden to sign executive order boosting cybersecurity of ports, maritime vessels

The order empowers the Coast Guard to shore up cyber protections for maritime systems and harden current cyber incident reporting rules.

People

NSA cyber director to step down after 34 years of service

His departure comes amid heightened security fears in 2024 and debate over whether to renew a controversial spying power.