Threats

Technology Is Making Warfare in Cities Even Deadlier

From airports to undergrounds, new weapons and brutal tactics will make things worse for urban dwellers.

Defense Systems

DOD on track to take over background checks

The Pentagon is readying to absorb the National Background Investigations Bureau ahead of an anticipated executive order.

Science & Tech

The Government’s Bioterror-Response Website May Be Leaking Sensitive Data

DHS inspectors and a whistleblower say the site, which would be used to coordinate federal responses to a bioterror attack, isn’t secure.

Science & Tech

How DHS Is Trying to Sort Good Cyber Tools from Snake Oil

The department is investing in ways to do apples-to-apples comparisons of the many cyber products on the market.

Threats

As Exports of Surveillance Tech Rise, Freer Countries Face a Choice

How far will societies pursue security along paths paved by dictators?

Science & Tech

Russia Launched Cyber Attacks Against Ukraine Before Ship Seizures, Firm Says

Researchers claim to have uncovered Russian cyber attacks aimed at the Ukrainian military and government before and during the Sea of Azov captures.

Defense Systems

DISA looks to upgrade VPN offerings

The agency is working toward automated provisioning for VPN services through Storefront.

Science & Tech

Quantum Computing That Can Crack Modern Encryption More Than a Decade Away

A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests encryption-cracking quantum computers are possible, but won’t be built in the immediate future.

Defense Systems

Supply chain risk in the spotlight

The National Risk Management Center at the Department of Homeland Security plans to have lists of national critical functions and supply chain priorities in place by January.

Defense Systems

Air Force to try again on JRSS migrations

The Air Force hit pause on standing up and migrating to the Joint Regional Security Stacks after suffering connectivity problems but will reboot in 2019.

Ideas

Germany Develops Offensive Cyber Capabilities Without A Coherent Strategy of What to Do With Them

Germany has traditionally prioritized defense over offense in cyberspace. That's now beginning to change.

Defense Systems

DOD struggles with Risk Management Framework adoption

As DOD shifts away from compliance, the old methods are becoming barriers to new risk management policies.

Policy

Agencies Will Soon Have a Cyber Hygiene Score—And Will Know Where They Rank

The AWARE score will be based on data from agencies’ continuous monitoring tools and will give the Homeland Security Department a holistic view of the government’s cybersecurity posture.

Defense Systems

Defending against quantum-based threats

The Army wants to make sure American warfighters aren't behind the curve if and when quantum technology is operationalized.

Ideas

Special Report: Is the US Ready to Escalate in Cyberspace?

A barrage of cyber attacks have hit U.S. companies and institutions over the past decade. At long last, the United States says it’s ready to strike back.

Defense Systems

DARPA looks to 'less-explored' blockchain uses

The defense research agency wants insights on incentives and centralized aspects of permissionless distributed consensus protocols.

Defense Systems

Making derived mobile credentials work

The National Institute of Standards and Technology recently issued a practice guide showing two ways federal employees using mobile devices could be authenticated to access secure information systems and applications.

Defense Systems

DOD teams with DHS for critical infrastructure protection

Officials from both agencies told Congress at a joint committee hearing on cyber incident cooperation that the partnership has been fruitful, but budget constraints could require legislation.

Policy

Pentagon, DHS Spell Out How They’ll Cooperate on Cyber Defense

The memorandum of understanding comes after the Defense Department prepared to help the Homeland Security Department repel Election Day cyberattacks.