US, India Sign Cybersecurity MOU

The United States and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to strengthen ties and promote information sharing between the nations’ organizations tasked with cybersecurity, the Department of Homeland Security announced.

Signed in New Delhi by Jane Holl Lute, DHS deputy secretary, and R. Chandrashekhar, secretary of the India Department of Information Technology, the MOU helps…

Senators Propose ‘Gold Standard’ for Cybersecurity

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper propose a “gold standard” in cybersecurity to help protect networks and computers from hackers and potentially, a “digital Pearl Harbor.”

The proposal would grant the Department of Homeland Security statutory authority to work with the private sector to identify…

DHS Test Shows Humans are Weakest Link in Cybersecurity

In a test to evaluate how easy it would be for hackers to social-engineer employees and gain access to computer systems, the Department of Homeland Security found the human factor to be the weakest link in cybersecurity, Bloomberg reports.

DHS staff secretly dropped computer discs and USB…

DHS to Recruit 140 Cyber Warriors to Defend US Networks, Systems

The Department of Homeland Security is planning to amp up its cybersecurity workforce by more than 50 percent in efforts to spearhead governmentwide efforts to secure federal networks against cyber attacks as detailed in the Obama administration’s recent cybersecurity proposal.

Testifying before a Senate committee on Monday, Phillip Reitinger, deputy undersecretary of the…

DHS Cyber Official Phil Reitinger Resigns

Phil Reitinger, deputy undersecretary for Department of Homeland Security’s National Protection and Programs Directorate, announced his resignation yesterday.

According to the National Journal, Reitinger will leave his post June 3.

In an email to DHS employees obtained by the National Journal, Reitinger states his reasons for leaving are personal, and he remains on good terms with…

Napolitano, Attorney General to Attend European Cyber Crime Forum

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano are this week making a transatlantic trip to Hungary to attend a forum on cyber crime, UPI reported.

While in Budapest for the European cyber crime forum Wednesday and Thursday, the two also will attend the biannual U.S-European…

No Furlough for DHS Cybersecurity Staff amid Possible Government Shutdown

Amid concerns and the likelihood of a government shutdown, Homeland Security officials told Nextgov those who perform cybersecurity functions will not be furloughed if the shutdown happens. The lack of a budget deal by midnight tonight increases the chances of a government shutdown and would affect government agencies nationwide.

With the clock ticking closer…

Raytheon Hosts Event to Bring Awareness of Cyber Threats to Utilities Industry

Raytheon, in partnership with the Texas A&M Energy Engineering Institute and the Energy Institute of the University of Texas at Austin, hosted a Cybersecurity Utilities Symposium this week.

With public utilities increasing their Internet presence, the industry is now also experiencing the threat of cyber attacks. The symposium aimed to raise awareness of the threat. Security…

Lynn Honored with Eagle Award for Cybersecurity Efforts

The Pentagon’s second-in-charge was  recognized Monday as a leader in IT at an awards event held in Washington, D.C.

Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn, III accepted the “Eagle Award” during a banquet attended by roughly 1,000 participants, according to the American Forces Press Service. He reiterated a theme he has emphasized…

DHS Seeks Cyber Warrior Interns

Every summer, high school and college students flock to the nation’s capital to advance their forthcoming careers by interning at nonprofits, federal agencies and news outlets. For aspiring cyber warriors desiring a career in government, the options have been few — until now.

The National Protection and Programs Directorate, part of the Department of Homeland…