Author Archive
Joseph Marks
Senior Correspondent
Joseph Marks covers cybersecurity for Nextgov. He previously covered cybersecurity for Politico, intellectual property for Bloomberg BNA and federal litigation for Law360. He covered government technology for Nextgov during an earlier stint at the publication and began his career at Midwestern newspapers covering everything under the sun. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a master’s in international affairs from Georgetown University.
Cybersecurity
Defense, Homeland Security Secretaries Spearhead Cyber Cooperation Agreement
The agreement details how the departments will work together on major cyber challenges such as elections.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
IRS Failed to Track 11,000 Breached Social Security Numbers for Tax Fraud
The tax agency also failed to review another 15,000 breached taxpayer ID numbers it received for possible fraud monitoring, an audit found.
- By Joseph Marks
Artificial Intelligence
Congress Wants to Confront Facebook, Robocallers and Data-Throttlers
Lawmakers also encouraged the Pentagon to continue helping civilian agencies in cyber matters.
- By Jack Corrigan and Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
DHS Aims to ID Critical Functions to Protect from Cyberattacks by Year’s End
After the Homeland Security Department identifies the critical functions, it plans to map out all their dependencies.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Government Contractors Face New Data Breach Disclosure and Investigation Requirements
A planned rule would require contractors to save images of breached systems and allow agencies access.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
DHS and Pentagon Memo Details Future Cyber Cooperation
The memorandum of understanding comes after the Defense Department prepared to help the Homeland Security Department repel Election Day cyberattacks.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Congress Passes Long-Sought Bill to Rename DHS Cyber Agency
The National Protection and Programs Directorate will soon be called the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
OPM is Still Far Behind on Data Protection Three Years After Devastating Breach
The agency hasn’t implemented one-third of an auditor’s cybersecurity recommendations.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Pentagon Researchers Test 'Worst-Case Scenario' Attack on U.S. Power Grid
Over 100 people gathered off the tip of Long Island this month to roleplay a cyberattack that takes out the U.S. electric grid for weeks on end.
- By Joseph Marks
Digital Government
A New Congress Brings New Tech Priorities and Increased Oversight
The midterm elections also left a big cyber vacancy on the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
- By Jack Corrigan and Joseph Marks
Emerging Tech
National Science Foundation Seeks Feedback on Major Cyber Research Priorities Update
The previous version of the plan focused on incentivizing private sector research and expanding diversity in the cyber workforce.
- By Joseph Marks
Featured eBooks
Cybersecurity
DHS Wants to Expand the Reach of Its Critical Infrastructure Cyber Training
The department wants to be able to provide cyber training webinars to 5,000 simultaneous users.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
NIST Wants to Make PIV Cards Work for Smartphones in Two Years
The effort mirrors a Pentagon plan to improve identity verification on mobile devices.
- By Joseph Marks
Artificial Intelligence
NIST Teams Up with IBM’s Watson to Rate How Dangerous Computer Bugs Are
The artificial intelligence program will replace tedious work done by human analysts.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
New DHS Cyber Center Meets with Industry to ID Most Valuable Assets
DHS officials met Thursday with officials from the communications, electricity and finance sectors.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Supply Chain Group Aims to Reduce Counterfeits in Federal Systems
The proposed acquisition rule will require only original manufacturers or vetted resellers supply some components.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
FDIC Still Isn’t Protecting Its Sensitive Information, Audit Finds
The agency isn’t patching vulnerabilities quickly enough or fixing longstanding information security weaknesses.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
After Midterm Elections, a Focus on Securing Campaigns
The Homeland Security Department hopes campaigns can cooperate on cybersecurity rather than compete.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Cyber Supply Chain Task Force to Meet Soon
The task force will be managed by Homeland Security Department’s new long-range cyber planning organization.
- By Joseph Marks
Cybersecurity
Americans Trust Government More than Tech Companies to Combat Election Influence Ops
A survey found that U.S. adults think it’s highly likely some nation will try to interfere in the midterms and aren’t confident government or industry can stop it.
- By Joseph Marks