Workforce

OPM launches a cyber rotational program for feds

The new rotational program is an outgrowth of 2022 legislation backed by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Tech

Okta breach includes theft of data on nearly all help desk users, including some feds

The company revised its earlier reporting on the scope of the breach, but said that data on users of high-impact federal and DOD systems was not compromised.

Tech

Employee data hit in Idaho National Lab cyberattack

The lab confirmed that it has been in touch with federal law enforcement agencies concerning the attack on its servers.

Tech

FCC wants to improve cyber protections for schools, libraries

Faced with a growing number of cyberattacks on school districts nationwide, the agency announced a three-year pilot program to gather data on the best cyberdefenses.

Defense

DOD strategy warns emerging tech is ‘at the forefront’ of information threats

The Pentagon’s updated strategy for operations in the information environment calls for “a cultural shift” to protect national security interests.

Defense

The Biden administration announces its new acting cyber director, as nominee awaits Senate vote

Drenan Dudley, the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget, will helm the ONCD until the Senate confirms a permanent leader.

Management

Biden’s cyber director nominee clears Senate committee

As Biden’s pick for national cyber director — Harry Coker — makes his way through the Senate, the current acting director nears her last day.

Workforce

OPM head previews coming cyber and IT hiring flexibilities

The personnel agency is also gearing up to recruit AI workers into the government as part of a talent surge called for in the recent AI executive order.

Workforce

The cyber workforce gap is growing

Despite a significant increase in the number of people entering the cyber field in 2023, demand is still far outpacing that supply.

Workforce

What are federal agencies doing to fill out the cyber workforce?

New numbers released Monday show that employers posted over 572,000 cybersecurity jobs in a 12-month period starting in September 2022.

Management

State’s cyber overhaul bets big on zero trust to tackle emerging threats

The State Department started at the “bottom of the barrel” when the White House’s 2021 cybersecurity executive order was released, according to the agency’s chief information security officer.

Tech

New CISA, NSA guidance highlights pain points in identity and security management

A public-private working panel recommends vendors invest more in security measures like multifactor authentication.

Workforce

House passes bill to limit education requirements for federal cyber roles

The push for skills-based hiring is already underway in the executive branch, where the Office of Personnel Management is reworking qualification standards for some government jobs.

Tech

New cyber rules aim to standardize requirements for federal contractors

The proposed rules would create new information sharing and incident reporting requirements.

Tech

Feds' quantum encryption shift is most 'comprehensive' ever done, official says

Office of the National Cyber Director official Dylan Presman said there has been “nothing like this” effort to move critical assets to quantum-resistant encryption standards.

Management

Democrats fear cyberattacks as government shutdown looms

Lawmakers are expressing concerns that the shutdown could radically hinder the work of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in responding to major ransomware incidents and other digital intrusions. 

Management

A government shutdown is a catalyst event that can increase the possibility of insider threat incidents

COMMENTARY | As another government shutdown looms it’s a reminder that risks happen when you’re least prepared, writes one observer.

Oversight

HHS looks to improve cybersecurity coordination

The agency is utilizing a relaunched cybersecurity coordination center and additional programs to significantly ramp up interactions with key partners, a top official said.

Oversight

FDIC needs to sharpen its cyberthreat sharing with financial institutions, OIG says

Despite recent improvements, a watchdog report claims the agency still has more it can do to make threat-sharing policies more effective. 

Tech

Chinese hackers targeted government entities and thwarted recovery efforts, report says

The cybercrime group evaded remediation efforts by installing persistent backdoors and deploying “new and novel malware.”