Cybersecurity
Navy to groom 'ethical hackers'
So-called "red teamers" are in high demand and less-than-full supply at the Defense Department.
Cybersecurity
With ransomware on the rise, Senate botnet bill gets another shot
The bipartisan measure, which failed last year, would create a new criminal offense for selling or providing access to botnets.
Cybersecurity
A mixed legacy on cyber for Obama
A group of former federal officials delivered a mixed verdict: the Obama administration has done well to make cybersecurity relevant to top agency officials -- and not just techies, but should have done more to follow through on key policies.
Digital Government
White House, Congress gird for another NDAA showdown
Among the provisions the Obama administration opposes is a measure that would codify U.S. Cyber Command as its own unified command and one that would restrict funding for the Pentagon’s prized outreach office in Silicon Valley.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon bounty program reveals 90 bugs
The high-profile and unprecedented program is uncovering vulnerabilities in Defense Department websites, and other federal agencies are taking notice.
Cybersecurity
House, Senate bills would urge more sanctions on Iranian hackers
The Iran Cyber Sanctions Act of 2016 would push the U.S. government to slap more sanctions on Iranian hackers.
Acquisition
OPM: Contractor's departure will not affect operations
Imperatis had been awarded a crucial contract to carry out the Shell modernization project for OPM. The firm has quit due to "financial distress," according to OPM.
Digital Government
Air Force wants to link iPads with SIPRNET
Air Force CTO Frank Konieczny sees a future for iPads on the Defense Department’s classified network.
People
Former VA and State official Greg Ambrose dies
In 11 years of federal service, Ambrose brought a technical eye, and a sincere passion, to some of government’s thorniest IT challenges.
Cybersecurity
Report: CBP lacks 'clear authority' to collect SSNs for system access
U.S. Customs and Border Protection derives employee and contractor IT systems passwords from user Social Security numbers. But the agency may not have the authority to collect that personally identifiable information, according to a privacy report.
Cybersecurity
Supreme Court OKs expanded hacking power for FBI
Congress has until Dec. 1 to alter an administrative procedure change that would allow U.S. judges to issue warrants for the FBI to hack into computers outside U.S. jurisdiction.
Cybersecurity
Can investigators reverse engineer insider threats?
The idea is to use past insider threat incidents to stitch together profiles of future rogue employees.
Digital Government
Vendors cry foul on Halvorsen's Windows 10 recommendation
DOD CIO Terry Halvorsen has said he does not formally endorse the operating system, but software vendors believe his praise amounts to an endorsement.
Cybersecurity
House bill would carve out new powers for HHS CISO
Under a new bill proposed by Reps. Billy Long (R-Mo.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), the chief information security officer at the Department of Health and Human Service would assume new authorities, outside the reporting structure of the CIO.
Cybersecurity
FBI will not share iPhone vulnerability in San Bernardino case
The decision casts new light on a review process that government officials say is rigorous and weighted toward disclosure but some critics contend is subject to manipulation.
Digital Government
Senators press OMB for A-130 update
Two key senators are getting impatient waiting for a new version of a key piece of governmentwide IT policy that hasn't been updated in 15 years.
Cybersecurity
DARPA seeks to boost cyber attribution
DARPA wants to use biometrics and other tools to improve a key element of U.S. cyber deterrence strategy.
Modernization
NSA official: ICITE could boost metadata capabilities
Regardless of the source of metadata, "you're going to get improvements by merit of how the data is tagged and how the attributes are assigned," NSA Deputy CIO Sally Holcomb said.
People
Federal CIO: IT fund would shake up appropriations process
The $3.1 billion revolving IT fund proposed by the White House would jump-start the projects most in need of funding and would not preclude other investments, federal CIO Tony Scott said.
Cybersecurity
Clapper: Snowden accelerated commercial crypto by 7 years
The director of national intelligence reiterated the view that industry/government collaboration is essential to finding a way to balance privacy and law enforcement access.
Almost There!
Help us tailor content specifically for you: