Digital Government

Obama team couldn't cope with Russian election meddling, report says

The administration did not view cyber activities by Russia as part of a larger overall campaign and limited information-sharing efforts in ways that inhibited a more cohesive response.

Cybersecurity

FBI still not pushing for encryption legislation

FBI Director Christopher Wray declined to say whether he would endorse legislation that would create a pathway for law enforcement to access encrypted apps and devices.

Cybersecurity

Data exchange and cybersecurity

Ensuring different software systems can easily communicate and exchange data is as much about people and process as it is technology.

Cybersecurity

CISA touts CDM, CyberStat as key cyber compliance tools

A watchdog report found DHS doesn't always validate whether agencies are complying with mandatory directives. The department floated plans to leverage two existing program to do just that.

Digital Government

With voting nearly underway for 2020, who is in charge of policing disinformation?

A plan from Sen. Warren's campaign is designed to avoid a repeat of Russian tactics in 2016, but some experts say different challenges will emerge in 2020.

Digital Government

Can the U.S. compete in R&D?

Lawmakers and experts are worried about federal research funding, especially with Chinese national investments in AI, 5G, quantum and other emerging technologies.

Cybersecurity

As botnet bill gains new life, old concerns about scope linger

A bill that would give the Department of Justice new tools to prosecute botnet traffickers quietly passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee in December 2019.

Digital Government

GSA sets the stage for update to federal sites and apps

A new website, maturity model and other resources are now available to guide agencies as they implement the 21st Century IDEA Act.

Cybersecurity

Senators introduce bill to create state cyber coordinators at DHS

Lawmakers said the legislation was crafted following conversations with local officials who have expressed a desire for more federal support.

Digital Government

FBI will notify states when election systems are breached

The internal policy change is meant to increase "visibility and transparency" around voting system intrusions during the 2020 election cycle.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity front and center in Iran threat hearing

Members of the House Homeland Security Committee quizzed experts about the capabilities of Iran's cyber forces.

Digital Government

ODNI official promises more sharing ahead of 2020 elections

The top intelligence official charged with election security said agencies have evolved to more quickly declassify and share information, but the threat landscape is more muddled this time around.

Cybersecurity

CISA alerts on NSA-discovered Windows 10 flaw

Attackers could use the vulnerability to trick users into installing "updates" from trusted parties that are actually malware.

Digital Government

Voting machine vendors say they’re open to new mandates

In a congressional hearing, executives from the three major voting machine manufacturers said they were open to new reporting and regulatory requirements.

Digital Government

Do federal agencies need to collect more data from social media platforms?

There is appetite in both parties to change the "Wild West" atmosphere of social media platforms, but lawmakers must also navigate privacy issues.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Solarium to back CISA as the lead response agency

Leveling up CISA and CyberCom and streamlining Congressional jurisdiction will be among the recommendations issued in an upcoming report from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

Cybersecurity

Killing of Iranian general spurs concern about cyber retaliation

Iran has threatened to respond to the targeted killing of senior general Qassem Soleimani, and analysts say the goal will be to punish the U.S. by targeting its IT and critical infrastructure while avoiding traditional military conflict.

Cybersecurity

Privacy assessment finds risk with CDM shared service platform

An updated assessment from the Department of Homeland Security finds that a shared services platform designed to help smaller agencies use the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program brings with it new but manageable privacy risks.

Cybersecurity

DHS, GSA propose centralized vulnerability disclosure platform

In an RFI, the government pings industry for feedback on how to set up a primary point of entry for security researchers to warn agencies about bugs in their internet-accessible systems.

Modernization

How AI-powered bots could drive the conversation on pending federal regs

Two years after bots flooded the FCC's public comments system over net neutrality, a new report finds publicly available AI tools make it easier than ever to overwhelm public feedback on federal websites