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Top Cybersecurity Accomplishments, 2006-2012

Federal News Radio polled current and former federal cybersecurity experts for their opinion on what were the most significant accomplishments since 2006 to secure federal networks and improve public-private partnerships. The list blends suggestions of more than 10 authorities on federal cybersecurity. The accomplishments are in no particular order.

Tags: cybersecurity , technology , Howard Schmidt , DoD , Cyber Command , information sharing , Cybersecurity Rising

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Column: Cyber inaction may be our Achilles' heel

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the chairman of the House GOP Cybersecurity Task Force, argues that the country's national security cannot afford a stalemate on cyber legislation. His column is part of Federal News Radio's special report, Cybersecurity Rising.

Tags: Mac Thornberry , Congress , Cybersecurity Rising , technology , DoD , House Armed Services Committee , House , House GOP Cybersecurity Task Force , cybersecurity , cybersecurity legislation

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Cyber progress fueled by agency brass recognition

Six years after the Veterans Affairs data breach, civilian agency networks and computers are more secure. Current and former federal officials and cyber experts say from secretaries on down, the threat of a cyber attack and the impact on mission is well understood.

Tags: technology , Cybersecurity Rising , Dan Chenok , IBM , Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board , Karen Evans , U.S. Cyber Challenge , Alan Paller , SANS Institute , Jeff Eisensmith , Immigration and Customs Enforcement , OMB , cybersecurity , Paul Nicholas , Microsoft , TIC , Federal Desktop Core Configuration , FISMA , continuous monitoring , cyber workforce , Jason Miller

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DHS details services, tools needed to better defend federal networks

The draft solicitation asks for 15 toolsets and 11 service areas to help agencies implement continuous monitoring as-a-service and to buy sensors. DHS has asked vendors on GSA Schedule 70 to comment on the requirements.

Tags: technology , acquisition , contracting , industry , cybersecurity , continuous monitoring , GSA schedule , Jason Miller

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Cool Jobs: Air marshals opt for down-to-earth training for in-the-air threats

Recruits in the Federal Air Marshal Service undergo 16 weeks of rigorous training to prepare for their primary duty - helping travelers reach their destinations unharmed. Every three months, air marshals receive refresher training in hand-to-hand defense, physical fitness and threat-scenarios aboard a life-size mockup of a passenger jet. Federal News Radio goes inside a flight simulator for a first-hand look at a training exercise.

Tags: TSA , Federal Air Marshal Service , Kimberley Thompson , Federal Drive , Cool Jobs in Government , training , Michael OConnell , video

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Draft order would give companies cyberthreat info

The White House issued a seven-page executive order Saturday directing U.S. spy agencies to share intelligence about cyberthreats with companies operating electric grids, water plants, railroads and other vital industries. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the military was prepared to retaliate if the U.S. is attacked by cyberweapons.

Tags: cybersecurity , Leon Panetta , executive order , NSA

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44 TSA workers at Newark face firing or suspension

Tags: TSA , AFGE , John Mica , House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee , Frank Lautenberg , Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee

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DHS realigns cyber office into five divisions

Homeland Security Department Secretary Janet Napolitano approved the reorganization plan earlier this week. The newly aligned Office of Cybersecurity and Communications expands from three divisions and creates a new performance-management office.

Tags: management , cybersecurity , Janet Napolitano , Mike Locatis , Jason Miller , exclusive

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Agencies finally figuring out how HSPD-12 cards can improve security

More than eight years after the White House issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 requiring the issuance of secure identity cards, governmentwide and agency-specific initiatives provide hope the smart cards can be more than "glorified ID cards." NIST and GSA are developing an identity exchange in the cloud. DHS and IRS are putting their cards to use at a local level for both building and computer access.

Tags: technology , acquisition , identity management , Tom McCarty , Kshemendra Paul , Information Sharing Environment , Sharon James , IRS , Naomi Lefkovitz , NIST , cloud computing , information sharing , back-end attribute exchange , GSA , PortfolioStat , HSPD-12 , AFCEA Bethesda , ACT-IAC , standards based acquisition model , Jason Miller

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FBI: Friendly fire likely in border shootings

A preliminary investigation has found friendly fire likely was to blame in a shooting that killed one federal agent and wounded another along the Arizona-Mexico border, the FBI said Friday.

Tags: CBP , FBI , Janet Napolitano

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