Federal Court to Microsoft: Stop Selling Word

The U.S. District Court for Texas’ Eastern District, Tyler Division, has ruled in favor of Toronto-based software firm i4i, opining that Microsoft illegally infringed upon the Canadian company’s patent.  i4i’s attorneys successfully argued at a jury trial that began May 11 that Microsoft Word’s XML document processing capabilities “willfully” violated i4i’s patent on that type of XML processing software.

The federal court judgment prevents Microsoft from selling or importing to…

NCSA Board of Directors Welcomes Google

Eric Davis, head of anti-malvertising is representing Google on the National Cyber Security Alliance’s (NCSA) board of directors. Davis, who has spent 15 years in the marketing and consumer education industries, is a leader at Google in creating policies and procedures to protect the company’s network, products and customers. He said, “For Google, there is no higher priority than the safety and security of our users…We look forward to…

Robert Butler Appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber and Space Policy

The DoD has named Robert Butler the new Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber and Space Policy.  Butler previously managed Computer Science Corp’s (CSC) military intelligence business in San Antonio, Texas.

Butler has extensive cyber experience from his active duty and civilian career in the Air Force, last serving as associate director of the Joint Information Warfare Command at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, currently the headquarters of AFCYBER…

The Federal Government’s Latest Takeover: Your Desktop?

Glenn Beck reported on his Fox News television show July 31 that a disclaimer on the website for the federal government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program technically transfers ownership of the computer accessing the site to the federal government while connected to www.cars.gov.  He warns viewers not to access the site at home, because the warning reads “This application provides access to the DoT CARS system.  When logged on to the…

IBM Announces Release of Integrated Web Application Security Software

IBM has announced the release of one of the Information Security industry’s most comprehensive solutions for combating attacks on Web application infrastructure and securing the integrity of data processed by Web applications, part of IBM’s ongoing strategy to deliver its clients security solutions designed to address today’s most significant security risks.  With this release, IBM has brought together the breadth of its offerings to deliver end-to-end Web application security including security-rich…

Mischel Kwon, Director of US Computer Emergency Response Team, Resigns

Mischel Kwon, director of the US Computer Emergency Response Team has resigned, reportedly due to frustration with bureaucratic obstacles and not having sufficient power to execute the functions of her office in Department of Homeland Security, according to Defense Tech.

Mischel Kwon, the fourth U.S. CERT director in five years, resigned on Friday. A Bush administration holdover, she took office in June 2008. Before that, she headed Information Security for the Department of Justice. …

CSC Wins Part of $30 Million USDA Cybersecurity Contract

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a one-year, $30 million contract to six firms for security support, including CSC of Falls Church, Va. The contract specifies four one-year options.

This agreement allows each firm to compete to support the USDA in cyber protection. The goal is to prevent future attacks, which have been growing in number of late, through identifying current weaknesses and implementing response measures.

Tom Anderson, president of CSC’s…

Massive DDoS Attack On Twitter: Russian and Georgia Suspicion

Twitter was briefly shut down Thursday morning due to a massive denial-of-service attack (DDoS). The hacker/hackers are unknown, suggested perpetrators  have ranged from tech savvy individuals to Russian or Georgian sympathizers. The attack on Thursday marks exactly one year since the Russian-Georgia conflict. 

Similar attacks were found in LiveJournal, another social networking site. Facebook is “looking into” the similarities between attacks it experienced on Thursday morning and Twitter attacks.  Thankfully, Twitter…

Sen. Collins Wants Answers: Why Did Hathaway Resign?

Senator Collins (R-ME) has asked Melissa Hathaway, acting senior director for cyberspace at the White House, for a copy of her resignation letter. Senator Collins, a senior ranking member on the Senator Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, has also requested that her staff members interview Hathaway regarding why she is leaving the Obama Administration.

Hathaway is a former Bush Administration cyber official and sited personal reasons for her resignation, effective August…

Napolitano Speaks: Cybersecurity Reorganization, New Cyber Recuritment Efforts With Help Of Secret Service

Through a speech at the Global Cybersecurity Conference in Washington, D.C. sponsered by the U.S Secret Service, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke about DHS’ centralization of cybersecurity. Phil Reitinger, recently appointed the deputy undersecretary of the National Protections Program Directorate for the DHS will aide in management overhaul of cybersecurity at DHS, Napolitano said. 

“If the question is who at DHS do you call, it’s going to be Phil or someone who works for him…One thing we…