Defense Systems

The state of CMMC from an assessor perspective

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is a step forward for DOD and its contractors to improve the nature and the operation of the DOD supply chain in today’s cybersecurity-focused world.

Defense Systems

State Department to get cyber bureau

The secretary of State named cybersecurity and emerging tech as critical areas for capacity building at State, alongside climate, global health and multilateral technology.

Defense Systems

New missions could present challenges for DODs cyber workforce

Mieke Eoyang, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy said one of DOD's main cyber workforce challenges is being able to set expectations around policymakers' calls to step in and defend against cyberattacks.

Ideas

It’s Not About Submarines. It’s about Software

Important as AUKUS submarines are in the military balance, the new way of deterrence will be about the strength, speed, and resilience of software.

Defense Systems

DOD testing director nominee wants cyber assessments for commercial cloud systems

The Biden administration's pick to lead the Defense Department's operational testing, Nickolas Guertin, called the department's inability to conduct independent cyber assessments of commercial cloud systems "a severe limitation."

Defense Systems

CISA seeks 24-hour cyber incident reporting timeline

Two separate Senate bills set different deadlines for federal contractors, critical infrastructure providers and other covered companies to report cyber incidents to the federal government.

Science & Tech

Russian Corruption Makes It Harder to Crack Down on Ransomware

Hackers who learned skills in government service are branching out “for their own personal enrichment,” Pentagon cyber leader says.

Ideas

The US Should Have Invited Russia to Join Its Counter-Ransomware Initiative

The Biden administration recently hosted a ransomware summit which excluded the Russian government. The United States should have done more to involve Russia in ransomware negotiations.

Defense Systems

Water treatment facilities named in joint cyber advisory

To help water and wastewater utilities protect their IT and operational technology systems from cyberattack, the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, Environmental Protection Agency and National Security Agency have outlined steps facilities can to take steps to defend themselves.

Defense Systems

CISA releases final TIC 3.0 remote user use case

The guidance gives federal agencies instructions on applying network and multi-boundary security for remote users.

Science & Tech

AUSA Conference Wire: Connect Everything

New: a weapons-testing lab just for networking. Coming up: a wargame featuring a battalion of unmanned vehicles.

Defense Systems

CISA's new talent management system could boost cyber recruitment

Despite increasing competition among the public and private sectors in hiring top cyber talent, CISA Director Jen Easterly said she has high hopes for a new personnel management system which reduces friction in hiring and offers new career paths.

Defense Systems

DHS adds cyber requirements for transportation industry

The Transportation Security Agency and the Coast Guard are getting increased authority over industry cybersecurity.

Policy

NSA Cyber Chief Spells Out Near-Term Priorities

Ransomware is a top concern, but the agency is also looking ahead to defending networked weapons and post-quantum encryption.

Defense Systems

Tough conversations on ransomware ahead

The U.S. government, will have to start regularly having hard conversations "country to country" on state-sponsored cyberattacks, according to a top Defense Department official.

Defense Systems

Coast Guard embraces direct commissioning for cyber personnel

The maritime military branch opened up its direct commissioning program to cyber roles in cyberspace operations, cybersecurity, information assurance and cyber threat intelligence.

Defense Systems

CISA chief: Cyber incident reporting can't become a burden

Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, stressed the importance of cyber incident reporting but said mandates should be careful of potentially overburdening companies -- and CISA -- with "reporting noise."

Defense Systems

How the Air Force is tackling electronic warfare challenges

The Air Force is on high alert when it comes to electromagnetic spectrum threats. But extensive system updates pose a risk.

Defense Systems

CISA chief floats fines to compel threat info sharing

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly told lawmakers that fines may help enable disclosure compliance and enforcement.

Defense Systems

Zero trust, EMS top Air Force cyber priorities

Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 16th Air Force, said implementing zero trust principles was "foundational" to improve data use and mitigate vulnerabilities from the defense industry supply chain.