Defense Systems

Russia sanctioned over SolarWinds, election interference -- even as cyber espionage continues

The White House announced a range of sanctions against Russia, and security agencies warned of software vulnerabilities that Russian intelligence services are actively exploiting.

Defense Systems

Nakasone deflects senators' invitations to seek domestic spying powers

Lawmakers have continued to prod the NSA chief to request new surveillance authorities that might prevent another SolarWinds-type breach.

Exclusive Science & Tech

Free the Data: Vice Chiefs Launch an Acquisition Crusade

Better access to weapon data is crucial to faster Pentagon purchasing — and dangerous to industry business models.

Defense Systems

White House stands down SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange cyber response groups

The White House is suspending the two interagency groups tasked with managing the government's response to the cybersecurity incidents involving SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange, citing improving trends in patching.

Defense Systems

Biden taps Inglis, Easterly for top cyber jobs

National Security Agency veterans will serve as first national cyber director and lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Defense Systems

IC warns that U.S. adversaries are ramping up cyber attacks

The worldwide threat assessment by the U.S. intelligence community comes one day before the heads of several agencies are scheduled to testify during open and closed session to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Defense Systems

Microsoft patches new Exchange CVEs, credits NSA with discovery

The new vulnerabilities found in Exchange servers running on-premises are separate from zero-day exploits discovered and announced in March.

Threats

New ODNI Report Sees Growing Cyber Threats, COVID-Related Instability

Intelligence heads will brief lawmakers on Wednesday about threats from China, Russia, others.

Policy

White House Wants Industry Input on New Software Security Rules

The administration wants to make sure the private sector has the ability to weigh in on procurement standards in an impending executive order.

Policy

Experts Torn on Proper Role of National Cyber Director

Former officials say someone needs to coordinate government entities but weighed pros and cons to the position being located within the National Security Council.

Defense Systems

Space Force satcoms contract gets CMMC nod

A request for information for the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network and Global Xpress contract was amended March 31 to include requirements for the CMMC pilot program.

Defense Systems

Mandatory review of DOD's compliance on CMMC is delayed

The Defense Department was supposed to submit a review to Congress by March 1 assessing whether components complied with the guidelines of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. That deadline has been pushed to June.

Defense Systems

Army eyes CAC-less physical security

The Pandemic Entry and Automated Control Environment aims to use the biometric and password metadata on CAC cards and related databases to secure access to sensitive areas.

Defense Systems

First set of CMMC certification orgs emerge

The Defense Department's unified cybersecurity program is making gains with its first tranche of certifying bodies, but assessments for defense contractors are a ways off.

Defense Systems

Former CISA chief cautions on push for national cyber director

The former CISA chief expressed confidence in Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger to help the White House confront the multiple cybersecurity incidents it is facing.

Science & Tech

Electric Cars, Smart Refrigerators Pose Cyber Risk To US Utilities, GAO Finds

The risks aren’t well understood by researchers, in part because of local and state control of electrical utilities.

Defense Systems

NIST issues draft election security framework

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has published a draft framework that takes NIST's pre-existing cybersecurity best practices and applies them to the voting equipment and information systems supporting elections.

Defense Systems

Impatient lawmakers press Biden for cyber director nominee

President Joe Biden has said cybersecurity will be a top priority for his administration, but two senior positions focused on the issue remain either vacant or held by an acting official.

Defense Systems

CMMC body hires ex-CISA deputy as first CEO

The governing body in charge of implementing the Defense Department's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program has hired Matthew Travis, former CISA deputy director, as new CEO.

Ideas

War is Changing. So Should the Pentagon’s Budget

Beyond aircraft carriers, missiles, and riflemen, the next wars will be fought with data, digital platforms, and networks.