Author Archive

Joseph Marks

Senior Correspondent

Joseph Marks
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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence

Congress Wants to Confront Facebook, Robocallers and Data-Throttlers

Lawmakers also encouraged the Pentagon to continue helping civilian agencies in cyber matters.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cybersecurity

After Midterm Elections, a Focus on Securing Campaigns

The Homeland Security Department hopes campaigns can cooperate on cybersecurity rather than compete.

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.

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.