Cybersecurity

Biden Administration Seeks $26B in Cyber Funding for FY 2024

President Biden’s fiscal year 2024 budget aligns with the recently released national cybersecurity strategy by “investing in a whole-of-nation approach,” according to the acting national cyber director.

Policy

US Needs Deeper Global Partnerships to Assert Tech Leadership, Report Argues

A report from the German Marshall Fund calls for “a new foreign policy of technology” that allows the U.S. to maintain its tech leadership on the global stage by working more closely with democratic nations.

Cybersecurity

CISA Launches Ransomware Warning Pilot for Critical Infrastructure

The new pilot program will enable “timely risk reduction” by alerting critical infrastructure owners and operators of vulnerabilities within their systems that are susceptible to ransomware attacks.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon Office Tracking National Security Impact of Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

The director of the Pentagon’s office tasked with connecting relevant tech companies with private capital said in an email that the office is “monitoring national security-related impacts” stemming from the prominent startup lender’s demise.

Emerging Tech

Army Making Progress on Implementation of Online Real Estate Tool, IG Says

The U.S. Army is on track to deploy a new online application “to identify the existing inventory of space available” at select military installations as part of a pilot program.

Cybersecurity

Report: Increased Remote Work for Many Governments Also Raises Cyber Risks

Roughly one-third of government employees believe “their actions don’t matter when it comes to security,” according to a new survey.

Digital Government

White House Budget Seeks to Bolster US Tech Development, Modernize Standards

The Biden administration’s fiscal year 2024 budget request would, in part, boost federal spending to address “the ongoing cyber threat” and “modernize services” across government.

Modernization

Official: VA’s Legacy EHR Must Be Maintained, But Not a Long-Term Solution

The official cautioned that “modernization would require VistA be rewritten almost from scratch.”

Cybersecurity

USCYBERCOM’s Operations Have Strengthened Allies, Agency Lead Says

Gen. Paul Nakasone, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the agency’s cyber partnerships have helped to build “tremendous confidence between nations.”

Cybersecurity

State Should Evaluate Global Anti-Cybercrime Efforts, GAO Says

A watchdog report said the State Department should take the lead in determining the effectiveness of federal agencies’ partnerships with international allies to combat digital crimes.

Cybersecurity

Ransomware Payments Decreased in 2022 as Criminals Used Other Extortion Tactics

A report from Recorded Future found that, even as ransomware continues to pose a global challenge for individuals and organizations, threat actors are increasingly using other methods to steal sensitive data and demand payments from victims.

Cybersecurity

National Cyber Strategy Seeks to Shift Burden from Consumers to Tech Firms

The strategy calls for Congress to pass legislation that would “shift liability onto those entities that fail to take reasonable precautions to secure their software.”

Modernization

VA’s New EHR System ‘Continues to Burn Money,’ Top Republican Says

The U.S. comptroller general told members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee that VA has spent “over $1.7 billion dollars for failed predecessor electronic healthcare record systems” prior to the new Oracle Cerner EHR system.

Artificial Intelligence

DOD’s Cyber Mission Depends on Skilled Workforce, Streamlined Tech, Officials Say

As the Pentagon works to implement zero trust architecture and a forthcoming national cybersecurity strategy, DOD components are moving to prioritize international partnerships, streamline tech capabilities and enhance recruitment and training initiatives to meet current needs.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Criminals Are Increasingly Exploiting Cloud Environments, Report Finds

A new CrowdStrike report found that hackers and digital adversaries are relying less on malware, and more on unpatched vulnerabilities and data weaponization.

Cybersecurity

CISA Director Calls Out Industry Using Consumers as Cyber 'Crash Test Dummies'

The head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said technology companies need to be more proactive when it comes to promoting safety and security.

Cybersecurity

CISA Urges 'Increased Vigilance' for Cyber Threats on Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

As Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine reaches its one-year anniversary, CISA has warned that the U.S. and European nations “may experience disruptive and defacement attacks against websites in an attempt to sow chaos and societal discord.”

Defense

Pentagon didn't check risks before authorizing cloud services, watchdog finds

An audit conducted by the Defense Department’s inspector general found agency components “may be unaware of known vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks associated with operating their systems or storing their data.”

Digital Government

After a Decade of Noncompliance, DOJ Issues Report on Federal Website Accessibility

The release of the Justice Department’s first Section 508 report since 2012 comes after lawmakers raised bipartisan concerns about agencies’ continued inability to meet federal technology accessibility standards.

Artificial Intelligence

DOD Official: AI and Autonomy Are Critical to the Future of War

The Pentagon is working to prioritize the ethical and responsible adoption of autonomous technologies across the U.S. military as it works to keep pace with global adversaries.