Cybersecurity

To fight ransomware, DOJ wants companies to talk more

Paying off ransomware hackers just encourages more attacks, according to a senior Justice Department official.

Cybersecurity

Cybercom touts attacks on ISIS

Military officials told the House Armed Services Committee that the hacking campaign against Islamic State has been a good testing ground for U.S. Cyber Command's ability to support combatant commands.

Digital Government

House bill funds OPM's IT modernization

Lawmakers recognize the importance of OPM's IT infrastructure overhaul, but also the pitfalls the project has run into in the past.

Cybersecurity

Tech groups oppose expanding FBI hacking authority

A group of companies that includes Google and PayPal told Congress it is hard to imagine that a proposed federal rule change does not violate the Fourth Amendment.

Cybersecurity

Chinese cyber espionage drops steadily, report says

A study by FireEye offers a fresh set of data points in China's cyber espionage, which U.S. lawmakers have long characterized as rampant and inexorable.

Digital Government

Palantir to sue Army over DCGS

Palantir has escalated its long-standing opposition to the Army's handling of contracting for the Distributed Common Ground System by announcing its intent to sue.

Cybersecurity

Ex-White House officials call for reform of zero-day disclosures

Having a clearly-defined vulnerability equities process bound by an executive order would build public trust and improve accountability, according to Ari Schwartz and Rob Knake

Cybersecurity

U.S. agency targeted by advanced spear phishing

An advanced hacking group likely compromised a foreign ministry email account and sent malware-laced email to a U.S. agency, according to Palo Alto Networks researchers.

Cybersecurity

ISIS-linked hacker pleads guilty to targeting feds

A Kosovar named Ardit Ferizi stole the personally identifiable information of over 1,000 U.S. military and federal personnel, authorities said.

Cybersecurity

FBI lax on facial recognition privacy, watchdog says

As law enforcement looks to tap advances in facial recognition, a government watchdog warns of the risks to privacy.

Acquisition

DOD officials say IT acquisition rules still woefully outdated

Acquisition reform has typically been iterative, via the annual defense policy bill. That approach has still left acquisition officials wanting for a means of speeding up the process.

Cybersecurity

DNC breach raises questions on IT resources at political HQs

The latest hack of a national political organization raises questions as to how much the RNC and DNC have invested in cybersecurity and what a reasonable amount would be.

Cybersecurity

Gardner, Warner launch Senate Cybersecurity Caucus

The founders of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus seek to educate lawmakers on one of the most bedeviling policy challenges of the day.

Cybersecurity

North Korean hackers steal F-15 design

The alleged cyberattack on South Korean firms is the latest in a series of bold cyber maneuvers linked to North Korea.

Cybersecurity

To hack ISIS, Pentagon learns from 2007 surge in Iraq

There is a precedent to U.S. Cyber Command’s hacking of Islamic State, but it took place nearly 10 years ago, and technologies have rapidly evolved since.

Digital Government

Defense Digital Service looks to overhaul travel system

The Pentagon's digital "SWAT" team has a new mission: overhaul the much-maligned system that Defense Department officials use to book travel.

Acquisition

FBI bullish on enterprise services

"It's a major change internally within the FBI [in] how we buy stuff," FBI Chief Acquisition Officer Paul Courtney said.

Digital Government

White House threatens to veto Senate NDAA

The White House has threatened to veto the Senate version of the annual defense policy bill, citing opposition to key provisions on acquisition and cybersecurity policy, among a litany of other objections.

Modernization

Army wants better crypto for radios

The Army is preparing for a significant security upgrade for its battlefield equipment.

Cybersecurity

White House laments Cold War-era R&D structure

"Too often, the most agile and innovative companies are unwilling to work with government," the Office of Science and Technology Policy document says.