Cybersecurity

Why do federal employee background checks take so long? Panel points to delayed IT system

The Defense Department agency responsible for vetting workers at most federal agencies originally planned to have a new background check system fully functional in 2019.

  • Sean Michael Newhouse

DHS cyber hiring program got off on the wrong foot, CIO says, but progress is showing

Ten years after its congressional authorization, the Cybersecurity Talent Management System is closing in on 200 hires.

  • Adam Mazmanian

Pentagon background-check systems at risk of hacking, GAO says

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency didn’t fully implement DOD’s cybersecurity process, a new report finds.

  • Lauren C. Williams

Biden nominates a new director for the Defense Information Systems Agency

Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton, who currently leads the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence, has been picked to replace Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner.

  • Edward Graham

Feds saw more cyberattacks but better detection last year, FISMA report says

11 major incidents were reported by agencies in FY2023.

  • David DiMolfetta

Proposed federal AI roadmap would fund local election offices

Amid warnings that artificial intelligence could “totally discredit our election systems,” a group of U.S. senators released a sprawling roadmap that includes grant funding to keep elections safe from AI.

  • Chris Teale

Former NSA head feels ‘really good’ about election security come November

Paul Nakasone, the recently retired head of NSA and CYBERCOM, said the intelligence community has everything it needs to combat election interference attempts later this year.

  • Lauren C. Williams and David DiMolfetta

DHS sets its research sights on 8 emerging technologies

The Homeland Security Department’s Innovation, Research and Development Strategic Plan focuses its investment the next seven years on AI, cybersecurity, biotech and more. 

  • Alexandra Kelley

Watchdog calls out EPA for continued cybersecurity concerns

The EPA has still not implemented GAO’s 2019 recommendation to develop a process for conducting an organization-wide cybersecurity risk assessment. 

  • Edward Graham

CISA would get millions for cyber workforce outreach to underserved communities under new bill

The measure comes amid concerns from cybersecurity officials and professionals over how workforce diversity gaps may threaten U.S. cyber defenses.

  • Natalie Alms and David DiMolfetta

VA is warning veterans about Change Healthcare cyberattack, secretary says

“There’s no confirmation yet” that veterans’ data was leaked by the ransomware attack, according to the VA secretary, but the department is proactively alerting millions of veterans and beneficiaries to be safe. 

  • Edward Graham

Federal CIO defends Login security after health agency dropped it from grantee system

Clare Martorana doubled down on Login’s capabilities, saying the government “needs to continue to rely” on the tool.

  • David DiMolfetta
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HHS removed Login from its grantee payment system after funding theft

Hackers used data from a federal contracting hub to steal funding from seven grantee organizations in an HHS breach that occurred last year. Both HHS and GSA say that Login.gov was not compromised or connected to the theft.

  • Natalie Alms and David DiMolfetta

Russian hackers accessed federal agencies' emails in Microsoft breach, CISA says

The alert comes a week after Microsoft was faulted in a Homeland Security Department report for fostering a security culture that enabled a similar China-backed cyberattack last year.

  • David DiMolfetta

Congress tries again for comprehensive data privacy bill

The bill would establish national data privacy standards, with the Federal Trade Commission crafting rules for enforcement.

  • David DiMolfetta

The Pentagon wants to help boost cybersecurity for small contractors

A new strategy outlines how the Defense Department plans to increase security and strengthen relationships across the industrial base.

  • Lauren C. Williams

State Department warns employees of fraud scheme targeting payroll systems

Hackers have been targeting annuity accounts to redirect payroll deposits.

  • David DiMolfetta

U.S. accuses Chinese hackers of a 14-year campaign targeting government officials

The coordinated charges include sanctions on Chinese government-affiliated hackers and an up to $10 million reward for information about the defendants.

  • David DiMolfetta

U.S. still finding victims of advanced China-linked hacking campaign, NSA official says

The Volt Typhoon hacking collective, backed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has been working to burrow into sensitive U.S. systems, officials previously said.

  • David DiMolfetta

Ex-NSA innovation chief’s new startup looks to future-proof federal agencies against cyberthreats

Kevin Keaton’s Eyris would fuse blockchain technologies into advanced security solutions to defend federal agencies, the Pentagon and others against cyber threats.

  • David DiMolfetta

CISA targeted through Ivanti VPN vulnerabilities, reports say

The DHS agency has been issuing warnings about Ivanti products since at least 2020.

  • David DiMolfetta