Author Archive
Derek B. Johnson
Derek B. Johnson is a former senior staff writer at FCW.
Defense Systems
Intel agencies uncover Russian hacking tool
The GRU malware targets Linux operating systems and is used to conduct cyber espionage on behalf.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
U.S. imposes new restrictions on Huawei, semiconductor industry
The Department of Commerce is tightening rules targeting the Chinese telecom's supply chain around computer processing chips and restricting sales of chips made with U.S. technology.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Solarium commissioners focus on cyber director, better attribution
Negotiations between the House and Senate on a $740 billion defense authorization bill will determine which recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission make it into law.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Navy shifts to zero trust mindset to deal with COVID-related telework
Yesterday's buzzword has become today's security imperative, according to the department's CISO.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
2020 election security is 'number one goal', NSA chief says
Gen. Paul Nakasone's remarks come as a group of former senior officials seek funds to counter the "extraordinary challenges" posed by coronavirus pandemic and foreign interference to state and local election administrators.
- Derek B. Johnson and Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
NDAA gets new wave of Solarium cyber amendments
Much of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's agenda is being pushed into this year's defense authorization process, including its crown jewel idea of a national cyber director.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
NSA to release VPN security advisory amid telework boom
Organizations that spent the past decade hardening their corporate networks must now contend with their workforce signing in from insecure, unmanaged personal devices at home.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
White House clashes with legislators over new cyber post
The co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission said he has yet to hear from the White House on why they don't want a new top cybersecurity official in the executive branch.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Lawmakers spotlight cyber in Senate defense bill
Amendments filed to the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act by Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) and others would implement more than a dozen recommendations from the Solarium Commission report.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Key Solarium recommendations find a home in the defense bill
Lawmakers declined to add a mandate for a White House Cyber Director position, citing jurisdictional issues.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Pentagon taps Dave Spirk as chief data officer
Spirk filled the same role at U.S. Special Operations Command, has an intelligence background and will help implement the department's modernization strategy.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Lawmakers want answers on Juniper backdoors
Members of Congress are pressing Juniper's CEO for details of an internal probe into how modified code for a compromised NSA encryption algorithm wound up in the company's firewall products.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Cyber solarium pivots to align with pandemic concerns
Members of the Solarium Commission are retooling their pitch to focus on recommendations that draw parallels to the current coronavirus crisis.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Opening up DOD's AI black box
As algorithms and other AI tools become more prominent to military operations, researchers are studying better ways to visualize and communicate their decision-making.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Cyber Commission pushes defense bill as vehicle for implementation
Even with the coronavirus outbreak dominating policymakers' attention, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) said he was "pretty optimistic" that as much as 30% of the recommendations can be included in the upcoming defense authorization bill.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Report: Hackers target defense contractors, telecoms
China spent the year targeting telecommunications infrastructure to feed its spying and IP theft, while Iran shifted to target defense contractors in the latter half of the year.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
How Huawei could affect U.S.-ally relationships
A State Department official suggested the U.S. could seek to limit intelligence sharing with allies who use Huawei products for 5G, but stopped short of endorsing a legislative ban.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
Cyber Solarium to back CISA as the lead response agency
Leveling up CISA and CyberCom and streamlining Congressional jurisdiction will be among the recommendations issued in an upcoming report from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
'Dumb attacks' in software supply chain prevail, NSA official says
Vulnerabilities in the software supply chain may represent a larger cybersecurity threat over the long haul than threats to physical hardware.
- Derek B. Johnson
Defense Systems
When it comes to defending the internet, where does DOD fit?
Much of the underlying architecture that powers the internet is under increasing threat -- and it's not clear who in government or industry can or should take the lead to protect it.
- Derek B. Johnson