Defense Systems

Software factories are new 'crown jewels,' Air Force official says

Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition chief, said the massive cybersecurity breach that's plagued several federal government agencies creates "a new kind of target for our adversaries" that must be protected.

Defense Systems

DOD announces first CMMC pilot contract nominees

The Dec. 15 announcement calls out seven pilot contracts across the Air Force, Navy and Missile Defense Agency.

Defense Systems

CISA warns that SolarWinds software may not be only entry point in latest breaches

The security agency's latest alert suggests hackers may have found other entry points into government networks.

Defense Systems

Biden promises 'overwhelming focus' on hack recovery

The president-elect called out the Trump administration for failing to prioritize cybersecurity in general, and for "downplaying the seriousness" of the ongoing breach that has hit multiple federal agencies.

Defense Systems

Lawmakers seek details on damage done by the SolarWinds hack

As information trickles out about which federal agencies have been compromised by a sophisticated hacking operation, lawmakers have begun seeking an extensive accounting of what damage has been done.

Ideas

The Big Hack Is Damaging. That Doesn’t Make Russia 10 Feet Tall.

U.S. leaders must not overestimate a country with a weak economy and overrated military.

Policy

Trump Officials Deliver Plan to Split Up Cyber Command, NSA

An end to the “dual hat” arrangement has been debated for years — but the timing raises questions. The plan requires Milley's certification to move ahead.

Threats

SolarWinds Isn't the Only Way Hackers Entered Networks, CISA Says

The agency warned that ejecting attackers from networks will be tough, especially because they can likely read the email of IT and cybersecurity employees.

Science & Tech

Amid Massive Hack, Lawmakers Urge Trump to Sign Defense Bill with New Cybersecurity Legislation

As the government scrambles to understand the widening compromise, legislation to shore up the nation’s cyber defenses sits unsigned on the President’s desk.

Ideas

If You Don’t Hire Robots to Attack Your Networks, You’re Not Doing Security Right

Complying with DoD’s new cybersecurity regulations requires hard data, the kind that pretty much requires automation to compile.

Defense Systems

NSC invokes 2016 directive to respond to SolarWinds hack

The National Security Council's announcement to create a special group for coordinating the federal government's response to the SolarWinds hack comes as the list of affected agencies grows.

Threats

Feds Race to Turn Off SolarWinds Products Amid Biggest Hack in Years

A critical flaw in software used throughout government was reportedly used to breach a major security company and at least two federal agencies.

Defense Systems

CISA doesn't plan to tackle COVID vaccine disinformation

CISA’s acting director Brandon Wales said his agency is not the right source to counter anticipated disinformation about coronavirus vaccines.

Defense Systems

Russian hackers target virtual workspaces, NSA warns

The National Security Agency today announced vulnerabilities in cloud software are being exploited by Russia-sponsored threat actors to access protected data.

Defense Systems

FireEye cyber tools stolen in 'state-sponsored' attack

The company's chief executive officer wrote in a blog post that an initial investigation suggests the attackers were likely backed by an adversarial nation.

Defense Systems

Secure telework capabilities top DISA's 2021 plans

The Defense Information Systems Agency is looking at "gray networks" and expanding its cloud-based internet isolation browser solution to email.

Defense Systems

DISA refreshes strategic plan for 2022

The Defense Information Systems Agency has refreshed its three-year strategy to better emphasize cyber defense and role of enterprise services.

Defense Systems

Preparing the cyber workforce of the future

Big picture skills like digital literacy and critical thinking are more important to building a public-sector cybersecurity workforce than small gains in federal hiring procedure, experts say.

Defense Systems

Cyber czar, CISA subpoenas included in must-pass defense bill

Lawmakers are poised to vote on a defense policy bill that would advance dozens of recommendations made by a cyberspace commission.