Ideas

When Does a ‘Cyber Attack’ Demand Retaliation? NATO Broadens Its View

A set of “malicious cumulative cyber activities” may now amount to an armed attack.

Defense Systems

NIST details executive order’s ‘critical software’ categories

To help agencies comply with the Biden administration’s cybersecurity executive order, the National Institute of Standards and Technology posted a new definition of "critical software" for production systems and operational purposes.

Defense Systems

FBI wants more help from hacked companies

Without regular, prompt and transparent participation of the private sector, the FBI will “have a heck of a time winning this conflict," Director Chris Wray told Senate appropriators.

Defense Systems

DOD may be 'overly optimistic' with IT program risks, GAO says

The Government Accountability Office found that DOD often underestimated risks to IT programs compared to its own assessments.

Defense Systems

Coast Guard confronts harassment, retaliation in the ranks

The U.S. Coast Guard wants to build out its cyber workforce, but will have to contend with budget restraints and culture issues surrounding sexual harassment and retaliation.

Threats

Digital Authoritarianism is a National Security Threat, Pentagon Cyber Leader Says

The U.S. must fund the development of technology that can compete with the offerings of authoritarian countries, said Mieke Eoyang, deputy assistant defense secretary for cyber policy.

Defense Systems

States rely on National Guard cyber units

Governors in 27 states have called on the National Guard to help state and local agencies secure elections and combat ransomware.

Defense Systems

CISA lacks insights into agency network defenses

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency doesn’t have the data to determine if agencies are segmenting and segregating their networks, according to CISA acting Director Brandon Wales.

Ideas

US Companies Won’t Pay to Prepare for Cyber Attacks. Congress Must Step In

A combination of funding and regulation is needed to boost the defenses and resilience of the corporations that America depends on.

Science & Tech

NATO Members Agree to Broad Tech, Environmental Agenda

A new tech accelerator and innovation fund comes with new commitments on cyber resilience and a collective look at emissions.

Defense Systems

Space Force focuses on building a digital workforce

The U.S. Space Force is focusing on building its cadre of super coders amid a workforce boon with more interested applicants than available positions, according to the branch's chief of space operations.

Defense Systems

Biden's cyber nominees face Senate in wake of cyberattacks

Jen Easterly, selected to head the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Chris Inglis, the former National Security Agency deputy director picked to fill the new national cyber director role, faced lawmakers concerned about the spike in ransomware attacks.

Defense Systems

Does the U.S. need a cyber force?

Gen. Paul Nakasone, the director of the National Security Agency and head of U.S. Cyber Command, told lawmakers that infrastructure deficits could prevent the creation of a service modeled on Space Force.

Defense Systems

First CMMC assessment organization approved

The accrediting body overseeing the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program announced the debut of the first organization authorized to assess defense contractors.

Defense Systems

Biden revokes Trump's unenforced Chinese app bans

President Joe Biden's administration is establishing a new timetable to assess risks posed by using web services from foreign adversaries like China - while revoking his predecessor's final actions against Beijing.

Defense Systems

White House warns industry on ransomware threat

Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger on Thursday warned industry leaders to view ransomware as a threat to their core business operations, not just a risk of data theft.

Defense Systems

Navy projects $133 million in business system reforms savings for 2022

The Navy claims it saved $4.2 billion through reform efforts for its fiscal 2022 budget request via business process and systems improvement and divestments.

Defense Systems

DHS faces setbacks implementing CDM, IG says

The Department of Homeland Security has failed to address critical vulnerabilities across information technology assets due to significant delays in the department's rollout of a federal Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.