Tech
Feds saw more cyberattacks but better detection last year, FISMA report says
11 major incidents were reported by agencies in FY2023.
Tech
Proposed federal AI roadmap would fund local election offices
Amid warnings that artificial intelligence could “totally discredit our election systems,” a group of U.S. senators released a sprawling roadmap that includes grant funding to keep elections safe from AI.
Management
Former NSA head feels ‘really good’ about election security come November
Paul Nakasone, the recently retired head of NSA and CYBERCOM, said the intelligence community has everything it needs to combat election interference attempts later this year.
Tech
DHS sets its research sights on 8 emerging technologies
The Homeland Security Department’s Innovation, Research and Development Strategic Plan focuses its investment the next seven years on AI, cybersecurity, biotech and more.
Oversight
Watchdog calls out EPA for continued cybersecurity concerns
The EPA has still not implemented GAO’s 2019 recommendation to develop a process for conducting an organization-wide cybersecurity risk assessment.
Workforce
CISA would get millions for cyber workforce outreach to underserved communities under new bill
The measure comes amid concerns from cybersecurity officials and professionals over how workforce diversity gaps may threaten U.S. cyber defenses.
Tech
VA is warning veterans about Change Healthcare cyberattack, secretary says
“There’s no confirmation yet” that veterans’ data was leaked by the ransomware attack, according to the VA secretary, but the department is proactively alerting millions of veterans and beneficiaries to be safe.
Tech
Federal CIO defends Login security after health agency dropped it from grantee system
Clare Martorana doubled down on Login’s capabilities, saying the government “needs to continue to rely” on the tool.
Oversight
HHS removed Login from its grantee payment system after funding theft
Hackers used data from a federal contracting hub to steal funding from seven grantee organizations in an HHS breach that occurred last year. Both HHS and GSA say that Login.gov was not compromised or connected to the theft.
Oversight
Russian hackers accessed federal agencies' emails in Microsoft breach, CISA says
The alert comes a week after Microsoft was faulted in a Homeland Security Department report for fostering a security culture that enabled a similar China-backed cyberattack last year.
Tech
Congress tries again for comprehensive data privacy bill
The bill would establish national data privacy standards, with the Federal Trade Commission crafting rules for enforcement.
Defense
The Pentagon wants to help boost cybersecurity for small contractors
A new strategy outlines how the Defense Department plans to increase security and strengthen relationships across the industrial base.
Pay & Benefits
State Department warns employees of fraud scheme targeting payroll systems
Hackers have been targeting annuity accounts to redirect payroll deposits.
Tech
U.S. accuses Chinese hackers of a 14-year campaign targeting government officials
The coordinated charges include sanctions on Chinese government-affiliated hackers and an up to $10 million reward for information about the defendants.
Tech
U.S. still finding victims of advanced China-linked hacking campaign, NSA official says
The Volt Typhoon hacking collective, backed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has been working to burrow into sensitive U.S. systems, officials previously said.
Tech
Ex-NSA innovation chief’s new startup looks to future-proof federal agencies against cyberthreats
Kevin Keaton’s Eyris would fuse blockchain technologies into advanced security solutions to defend federal agencies, the Pentagon and others against cyber threats.
Tech
CISA targeted through Ivanti VPN vulnerabilities, reports say
The DHS agency has been issuing warnings about Ivanti products since at least 2020.
Tech
Biden's $1.67 trillion budget boosts tech, AI
The Biden administration’s FY2025 budget request provides agencies with $3 billion “to responsibly develop, test, procure and integrate transformative AI applications across the federal government.”
Oversight
Lawmakers try to reform federal cybersecurity again
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee passed a FISMA modernization proposal on to the full floor on Thursday.
Management