The Defense Bill Could Rewrite How US Does Cyber Defense
A proposed amendment to the fiscal 2021 NDAA would establish a new Office of Joint Cyber Planning, which would help government and private actors respond more quickly and with better coordination to cyber attacks mounted from Russia, China, and elsewhere. The amendment would allocate $15 million for the office as part of the DHS Cybersecurity […]
Lawmakers Spotlight Cyber in Senate Defense Bill
More than a dozen proposals from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission report have been introduced in the Senate as part of the drafting of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. These include proposals to: Set up an information sharing environment and forensic malware repository between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Agency […]
White House Clashes with Legislators Over New Cyber Post
Members of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission are hopeful Congress can pass legislation establishing a National Cyber Director, but they’re still trying to figure out what specific objections the White House has to the proposal. Commission co-chair Senator Angus King (I-ME) says that he has not received anything from the executive office that outlines its reason […]
US Senators Introduce the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act
Senate Judiciary Committee chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and fellow Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have introduced the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act, which they argue will bolster national security and better protect the country, by ending the use of “warrant-proof” encrypted technology. The senators charge that “technology providers are deliberately designing […]
CISA Stands to Gain Powers Under Both Versions of the Defense Authorization Bill
The House Armed Services Committee unanimously approved its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which doubles down on establishing public-private partnerships at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, with amendments to create both a Cyber Threat Information Collaboration Environment and an Integrated Cyber Center there. The Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the NDAA […]
House Committee Leader Wants Oversight of Pentagon’s Handling of Banned Chinese Gear
House Armed Services Committee chairman Adam Smith (D-WA) wants the FY2021 NDAA to require GAO to report on federal agencies’ procurement of equipment from Chinese companies blacklisted by the FY2019 NDAA, or from entities using that equipment. Schiff also wants a thorough report to Congress on the Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. Meanwhile, many […]
Lawmakers Push Cyber Updates in Senate Defense Bill
Amendments filed to the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act by Senator Angus King (I-ME) and others would implement more than a...
Senate Wants Better Threat Sharing Between Pentagon and Industry
The Department of Defense would establish a threat intelligence sharing program with the defense industrial base under the Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The panel’s version of the bill also includes several other provisions designed to give the department increased insight into the cyber hygiene of its contractors. […]
California Rep. Josh Harder to Introduce Bill to Harden School Cybersecurity
Representative Josh Harder (D-CA) is introducing the Protecting Students from Cybercrimes Act, a bill which would provide grants to help local school districts harden their cybersecurity infrastructure to protect their students, and create funding for apprenticeships and career opportunities for students interested in careers in cybersecurity. Harder notes that cybersecurity was already an issue before […]
House Bill Charges Guard, Reserve Forces with Defending the Nation in Cyberspace
A House Armed Services Committee draft of the NDAA calls for the National Guard and Reserve components to assist in defending the nation in cyberspace. A provision in the bill’s markup from the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities requires a review of statues and rules that pertain to the use of the […]