Author Archive
Cybersecurity
CISA releases guide to help safeguard K-12 schools from cyber threats
CISA’s report, which was mandated by the K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021, outlined a variety of steps that primary and secondary schools can take to bolster their cyber defenses.
Cloud & Infrastructure
Governments view open source as critical for enhancing digital services, experts say
The U.S. government is “still in the process of organizing and coordinating” its own strategy around the use of open source software, according to a CISA official.
Cloud & Infrastructure
FCC bans sale of new devices from Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE and others
Friday’s order to ban new sales and imports from five Chinese companies is the first time in its history that the agency has blocked the sale of telecommunications equipment on national security grounds.
Cybersecurity
No ‘specific or credible’ cyber threats affected integrity of midterms, CISA says
Despite “a handful” of DDoS attacks targeting state and local election websites and some technical glitches affecting voting equipment, CISA says it saw “no activity” that should undermine faith in the results of the midterm elections.
Cybersecurity
Voting machine myths likely to increase during and after midterms, report finds
Cybersecurity firm Recorded Future identified mis- and disinformation campaigns suggesting that voting machines from three major companies “will be used to falsify the results of the midterms.”
Cybersecurity
FCC proposes to strengthen cybersecurity of emergency alert systems
Emergency alert system participants would be required to disclose cyber breaches within 72 hours of discovery.
Cybersecurity
State and local agencies buying banned Chinese equipment, report finds
Chinese-made smartphones, surveillance cameras, temperature scanners, handheld radios and networking equipment have been deployed in government offices, transit systems, schools, hospitals and prisons.
Cybersecurity
Malicious emails surged for election workers in 2 battleground states ahead of primaries
Research conducted by cybersecurity firm Trellix found that county election workers in Arizona and Pennsylvania saw an increase in phishing schemes ahead of their primary elections.
Cybersecurity
Malicious cyber activity is unlikely to compromise election infrastructure
"Extensive safeguards in place” will make it difficult for bad actors to interfere in upcoming midterm elections, according to a joint public service announcement from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI.
Cybersecurity
Communication breakdowns hurt otherwise positive view of federal ransomware support, GAO says
State, local, tribal and territorial governments have “generally positive views” of agencies’ ransomware assistance, but cited “inconsistent communication” from the FBI as a challenge.
Data & Analytics
FAA launches data visualization dashboard to better inform public about the national airspace
New interactive ‘Fact Book’ hopes to make the FAA’s collected data on the U.S. aviation sector easier for readers to comprehend.
Cybersecurity
How simple claims of election interference can be enough to prompt real-world threats
Officials remain on guard against foreign meddling in U.S. elections, as CISA and other agencies work to strengthen partnerships and intelligence sharing efforts with state and local election administrators.
Cybersecurity
Report outlines electromagnetic pulse protection for critical infrastructure
The report uses approaches for safeguarding the National Public Warning System as a blueprint for defending other vital systems and services from electromagnetic pulses.
Cybersecurity
Election officials have been largely successful in deterring cyber threats, CISA official says
Public-private partnerships and enhanced resource sharing activities have been key to defending against outside threats to voting systems, according to the head of CISA’s National Risk Management Center.
Data & Analytics
Lack of equitable data is harming underserved communities, US chief data scientist says
Enhanced data collection efforts and outreach are needed to improve outcomes for underrepresented communities across the country.
Cybersecurity
CISA hosts election security exercise ahead of 2022 midterm elections
State and local officials, along with representatives from federal agencies and election industry companies, participated in the “Tabletop the Vote” exercise to prepare for a range of hypothetical risks to election operations.
Cybersecurity
Misinformation ‘harms nearly every element of election administration,’ committee report finds
State election officials said that they “need help at the federal level” to counter the threat.
Cybersecurity
Misinformation campaigns and threats are undermining confidence in U.S. elections, official says
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is ramping up efforts to defend voting systems from outside intrusion, but the spread of online misinformation and threats against election officials still damage faith in the electoral process.
Data & Analytics
Heat.gov offers real-time data, resources to combat extreme heat
The website for the distribution of extreme heat-related information includes interactive data, tools, maps, forecasts and other resources.
Cybersecurity