Zeus Malware Distributed via Terror-Themed Spam

Spammers are notorious for latching on to the most recent trend in an effort to increase click rates. Recently, a spam campaign containing Zeus malware utilized recent concerns over terrorism to send messages which appeared to be sent by the Department of Homeland Security, TSA and DoD.

Researchers at Sophos Labs have discovered the low-yield campaign which targets government users with enticing subjects like “Report on Defending and Operating in…

DHS Official: Cybersecurity Mission Requires Teamwork

The United States must be aware and focused on combating the threats in cyberspace, a DHS official told members of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

“As a nation, it is essential that we are aware of, and focused on, the cyber threat,” Greg Schaffer, assistant secretary at the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at…

DHS IG: US-CERT Needs Work

Despite the various accomplishments of the U.S.-CERT in the past few years, there are still many areas that need improvement, DHS’ Inspector General told members of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

During a hearing June 16, Richard Skiner told members U.S.-CERT has had some successes but still doesn’t provide analysis and warning for the federal government as…

DHS Cyber Official: There is No Silver Bullet to Cybersecurity

The U.S. cybersecurity effort does not need the creation of a new agency or department, a senior DHS official told members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee during a hearing Tuesday, June 15.

In reference to a cyber bill proposed by Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Tom Carper, Phil Reitinger, deputy under secretary of…

GSA and DHS Approve AT&T as Cyber Provider for Government

The Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration have approved AT&T as the first government-wide cyber provider under the Networx contract.

Yesterday, AT&T announced that the company was the first holder of the Networx contract to receive authority to operate (ATO) from the GSA for implementation of Managed Trusted IP Services (MTIPS). The Networx contract allows AT&T…

DHS Official: DHS May Merge Cyber and Infrastructure Protection

In order to better meet its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may merge its cybersecurity unit with its infrastructure protection unit, according to Todd Keil, assistant secretary of homeland security for infrastructure protection.

Keil recently told Security Management that the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C) and the Office …

New Approach to Data Sharing between DHS, Financial Services Companies

The government could soon have a new method of securing its computer networks. In collaboration with financial services companies, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are testing a new pilot program that shares cyber-threat data in real time and reviews intrusions and activity on department networks, according to Federal News Radio.

Greg Shaffer, assistant secretary for…

GAO Gives DHS Accolades for National Infrastructure Plan

The Government Accountability Office recently released a report that applauds the Department of Homeland Security’s new National Infrastructure Plan’s emphasis on cybersecurity. “DHS increased its emphasis on resiliency in the 2009 NIPP by discussing it with the same level of importance as protection,” the report states.

The report also highlighted DHS’ growing understanding of the threat from…

DHS to Provide In-Depth Look at Botnet

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is working to publish a report next month on the global efforts to combat it, according to Computer World. The report looks at the Conficker Working Group’s efforts to meet the threat.

“We said, ‘This was a very good example of the private sector, globally, working together to try to solve a cybersecurity…

Gov Info Sharing

Public-private partnerships are often the cornerstone of influential legislation. With a new bill about cybersecurity going through both houses, public-private partnerships will  be extended between intelligence agencies and the private sector. Historically, such partnerships have caused major issues and public outrage such as the AT&T involvement with warrantless surveillance. But this new legislation hopes to change the…