Tech
White House cyber office has its eye on workforce data
Data on the cybersecurity workforce is fragmented and inconsistent. A top White House official is looking to change that.
Tech
White House cyber office makes new workforce-focused hire
Daniel “Rags” Ragsdale is joining the White House Office of the National Cyber Director, following work in the private sector, Defense Department and cyber research space.
Oversight
GAO: IRS must enhance cyber oversight of third-party vendors, modernize online services
The IRS continues to ignore GAO’s recommendation to streamline oversight of third-party tax vendors’ cyber practices, despite concerns about mitigating digital threats.
Tech
Report reveals 'sudden surge' in cyberattacks targeting government agencies
Cyberattacks impacting government agencies and the public sector spiked by 40% in recent months, according to a new report.
Oversight
Government contractors grapple with enforcement challenges of TikTok ban
Industry groups are raising censorship and privacy concerns over a ban of popular social media app TikTok on devices used by government contractors.
Defense
1/4 of DOD cyber jobs are vacant. Here's the plan to fill them
Civilian cyber workers are the main challenge, as it's harder for DOD to attract and keep them.
Tech
House panel probes China-linked email hacks
The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating how the State and Commerce departments responded to a cyberattack that successfully gained access to unclassified government email accounts of top-level officials.
Defense
Biden selects NSA veteran as national cyber director nominee
White House officials named former National Security Agency official Harry Coker Jr. as the nominee to replace former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis amid the ongoing implementation of the new National Cyber Strategy.
Tech
IRS needs better documentation for its cyber threat hunts, watchdog says
A new report noted that a lack of “established policies and procedures” could prevent the tax agency from meeting federal requirements.
Defense
US power grid faces escalating cyber threats, infrastructure experts warn
The power grid is experiencing heightened threats from foreign adversaries and domestic extremist groups that can pose devastating consequences for the nation’s supply of electricity, experts told a House subcommittee on Tuesday.
Tech
State Department email accounts hit in China-linked cyberattack
A China-based cybercriminal known as Storm-0558 gained access to unclassified U.S. government email accounts using forged authentication tokens, according to a report released by Microsoft.
Tech
Critical cyber threats persist on federal networks despite recent directives
Hundreds of devices on federal networks remain in apparent violation of a recent Binding Operational Directive from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, according to a new report.
Defense
Public transit systems remain vulnerable to cyber threats
Despite repeated warnings, a report on Washington, D.C.’s transit authority finds it is still at risk of a cyberattack. Its issues aren’t unique, though, and experts warn that public transportation at-large is vulnerable unless leaders act.
Tech
There’s something DHS can do to help civilian agencies fight cyberattacks
The Homeland Security Department has the power to do a lot more than just issue words of warning.
Tech
No 'Systemic Risk' to Government Networks From Latest Breach, CISA Says
The nation’s cyber defense agency confirmed it was providing assistance to several federal agencies that have been impacted in an apparent global cyberattack.
Tech
Interior Faces 'Disturbing' Cyber Risks Due to Cracked Passwords and Vulnerable Assets
Recent reports reveal the Interior Department of is not enforcing multifactor authentication for its high-value assets and has a range of other significant cybersecurity risks.
Tech
GAO Identifies New Information Security Deficiencies in IRS System Controls
The watchdog's annual audit of the agency turned up new recommendations on system access controls and security configurations, alongside a limited release report and previous recommendations.
Tech
The White House Has Questions About AI Surveillance in the Workplace
The request for information is the latest in the administration's work on AI. Last week, four enforcement agencies released a joint letter pledging to enforce anti-discrimination laws in the AI arena.
Workforce
DHS Cyber Talent Management System Boasts Just 80 Hires After Nearly Two Years
Integrating the new hiring acquisition system across the Department of Homeland Security has “been a real project,” said the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Tech