Tech

NSA cyber director to step down after 34 years of service

His departure comes amid heightened security fears in 2024 and debate over whether to renew a controversial spying power.

Tech

The Pentagon is notifying individuals affected by 2023 email data breach

The exposed contents were not secured with a password at the time of their compromise.

Management

Counties want more money for elections. Washington is unlikely to provide it.

“I just don't want anybody to walk out of here thinking that all of a sudden a massive flow of funds is going to come forward,” a House committee chairman told county officials.

Tech

Some 6,600 current and former employees impacted in a January GAO data breach

The breach, which also included some companies doing business with GAO, may further galvanize concerns about the federal government’s ability to defend itself from cyber intrusions.

Pay & Benefits

Identity theft protection for OPM hack victims could extend for life under new bill

Under current law, the benefit for those whose personal information was exposed by the 2015 data breach is set to expire in 2026.

Tech

Contracts featuring automation and built-in security can boost agencies’ cyber defenses, VA officials say

As the federal government looks to harden its cyber resilience, officials from the Veterans Affairs Department said agencies should work to modernize outdated technologies and ensure that vendor contracts include more rigorous security standards.

Tech

Proposed contractor cyber reporting rule sets a ‘significantly problematic’ bar, industry groups say

The groups, which represent tech and cybersecurity companies sometimes contracted by the government, say the proposals are too rigorous and inconsistent.

Tech

Who should be in charge of protecting our water systems from cyber threats?

Federal officials don’t agree. Recent hacks on water systems exposed their vulnerabilities. But while some want the EPA to play a stronger role, others emphasized that local systems are best suited to defend themselves.

Tech

National Cyber Strategy needs better implementation measures, GAO argues

The White House Office of the National Cyber Director can improve on performance measures and cost estimations, the U.S. federal oversight agency said in a Thursday analysis.

Tech

Agencies must disconnect all exposed Ivanti products by Friday, cyber officials say

The directive follows a related warning issued last month about cybersecurity flaws in Ivanti systems.

Workforce

Feds to compete for cyber glory at fifth annual President's Cup

CISA officials describe the positive impact the annual cybersecurity game aims to have across the federal workforce.

Oversight

GSA used ‘egregiously flawed’ data to clear purchase of Chinese-made cameras, watchdog says

The inspector general's report noted that the acquired video conferencing cameras were not compliant with the 1979 Trade Agreements Act and contained security flaws that, in some instances, had still gone unpatched.

Management

A thumbs-up for State's 3-year-old cyber bureau

The Government Accountability Office said the creation of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy in 2022 has “helped to better position State to achieve its cyber diplomacy goals.”

Tech

CISA needs better collaboration with the EPA and water sector, watchdog says

CISA had “inconsistent collaboration” with relevant stakeholders due to a lack of formal mechanisms, according to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.

Oversight

Watchdog finds ‘sufficient’ cyber threat sharing at agencies, but barriers remain

The Intelligence Community Inspector General’s biennial update on cybersecurity information sharing noted that progress has been made over the past two years, but some agencies reported running up against roadblocks.

Management

How Space Force is raising its cyber defenses

The newest service is building in-house cyber teams but also needs to work more closely with U.S. Cyber Command, a deputy chief of space operations says.

Workforce

Exit interview: Kemba Walden talks advancing cyber — and becoming a role model — in government

The former acting national cyber director highlighted federal enterprise cybersecurity, cyber workforce issues, her experience as a leader and what it was like being the first Black person and first woman to helm the White House office.

Tech

Why federal efforts to protect schools from cybersecurity threats fall short

K-12 schools are especially vulnerable to cyberattack because they lack the cybersecurity expertise and funding essential to protecting students' sensitive information.

Tech

Research institutions must better secure sensitive data from foreign adversaries, experts say

To prevent foreign nations from gaining access to sensitive research data, U.S. institutions need to “have a higher sense of internal security” when it comes to protecting critical information.

Management

20 federal agencies miss the deadline for implementing cyber incident tracking requirements, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office found that just three federal agencies were in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s advanced cyber event logging requirements.