Modernization
Top tech trends pose the biggest security risks, say federal IT leaders
Seventy-nine percent of senior IT executives believe growth in collaboration software applications has increased the likelihood of data breaches.
Ideas
DHS: Former 'whipping boy' of Congress
The Homeland Security Department served as "the whipping boy" of Congress during the Bush administration, which only magnified challenges faced by the young organization, said the former cyber chief of DHS during a roundtable discussion Thursday.
Ideas
Commitee Passes Cybersecurity Bill
The House Committee on Science and Technology approved a bill Wednesday to support cybersecurity research and training, and the development of clear cybersecurity standards for federal agencies to follow.
Digital Government
NIST updates information security guidelines
Revisions emphasize need to continuously watch for threats and to build in protections while developing computer systems.
Digital Government
Cyber agencies mum on how they try to identify cyberattackers
Senators ask federal officials in charge of cybersecurity how they verify the source of the attacks, but they receive no clear answer.
Cybersecurity
Talks among world experts about what constitutes cyberwar grow cold
United States should open cyber defense strategy talks to a public debate, much like it did with nuclear weapons, security firm says.
Digital Government
Towns introduces bill banning feds from using file-sharing software
Prohibition aims to stop inadvertent leaks of sensitive government information, but OMB could grant permission to use programs if agencies need them for business operations.
Cybersecurity
Los Alamos National Lab again under fire for weak computer security
Officials failed to identify and authenticate users, encrypt classified information, monitor compliance with policies, or check that settings are up to date.
Digital Government
Homeland Security CIO reviewing dozens of programs for costs, risks
Richard Spires says his goal is to find where DHS has systemic weaknesses in managing IT programs, and he leaves open the possibility that some projects could be suspended.
Digital Government
Federal data breach notification standard must pre-empt state laws
Public and private entities currently juggle laws from 47 states, two cities and one U.S. territory.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity remains a constant battle for many IT officials
Employee violations of security policies continue to introduce risks that hackers exploit, survey results show.
Ideas
Cybersecurity Goes Mainstream
Sunday night, the CBS news program <em>60 Minutes</em> devoted its first <a href=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5578986n&tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel>15-minute (or so)</a> segment to cyber espionage, quoting such experts in the space as Jim Lewis, director of the technology and public policy program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Mike McConnell, former director of National Intelligence; and Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., co-founder and co-chair of the House Cybersecurity Caucus.
Digital Government
Defense: Open source software is more secure than commercial code
Publicly available code has fewer security holes because more programmers work on the free programs than the number writing proprietary programs for commercial firms.
Ideas
Will Androids Land on Networx?
The trade press has been all abuzz about Google's Linux-based mobile operating system, dubbed Android: Which manufacturers will offer the application? Will it give the proprietary iPhone system a run for its money?
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity regulator for energy has its own vulnerabilities
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not identify sensitive information and how it should be protected, an inspector general found.
Cybersecurity
Industry should lead cybersecurity partnership
The federal role should be to regulate and enforce standards and respond to threats, report recommends.
Cybersecurity
Banning file-sharing software won't keep data safe from hackers
As House leaders reassess guidelines that led to the disclosure of an internal ethics report, security experts say audits and tests also are needed to protect information.
Ideas
Lieberman previews cybersecurity bill
Another day, another cybersecurity bill. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., previewed the bullet points of a measure he plans to introduce later this year, which includes procurement reform that requires vendors to comply with security standards when selling technology solutions to federal agencies.
Cybersecurity
Compliance focus is hampering cybersecurity, critics say
OMB urged to update federal security standards to better detect network vulnerabilities and keep up with new threats.
Digital Government