2000 vs. 2020: How Far Has Gov Tech Come in Two Decades?
Technology predictions made in 2000 describe city streets awash in autonomous vehicles, citizens voting online from the comfort of their homes, and police solving crimes and thwarting terrorist attacks with facial recognition software, DNA databases and drones. Some of these tech predictions became reality, while others never came close or were only adopted in a limited fashion. And some — especially in the area of policing — exceeded expectations. And on the eve of the year 2000, the world held its collective breath, anticipating a massively disruptive Y2K computer crash. But that never happened at all, in large part because governments prepared for it. Nevertheless, Y2K hype changed the way governments view and secure [...]
US Air Force Evaluating Cyber/IoT Vulnerabilities of DoD Critical Infrastructure
The Air Force is looking for industry help in securing security and industrial control systems networks on its bases. Under the Evaluation of Cyber/IoT Vulnerabilities of Department of Defense Critical Infrastructure (ExCITe) proposal, the Air Force is asking for information regarding technical concepts, approaches and merits of the ideas of work pertaining to the automatic identification, mapping and security analysis of various base control systems. The base control systems consists of industrial control systems/supervisory control and data acquisition (ICS/SCADA), building automation, life safety, utility monitoring and airfield control systems, which have become increasing cyber targets in recent years. Control systems technology extends across a broad array of Air Force functions and facilities, says the request. The Air Force notes that [...]
In 2020, Ransomware Attacks Will Take Aim At Public Infrastructure
Transportation systems and water treatment plants will be targeted by ransomware – and the attacks could have deadly consequences In 2019, an increasing number of government agencies, public and financial institutions and electricity companies – all critical parts of daily life – suffered IT system shutdowns as a result of ransomware attacks. These organisations often paid ransoms to recover their operations and restore damaged data. Professionals in the field estimate that in 2019 the direct damage from ransomware attacks exceeded $12 billion. The actual ransom money paid was higher than $5 billion. Many victims of ransomware attacks in the US sought government assistance, but the FBI had to turn down most of [...]
How Congress Wants To Help Sync Military Cyber
How Congress Wants to Help Sync Military Cyber The government’s annual defense policy bill, if signed into law by President Donald Trump, will create several new cyber positions within the military. The fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act outlines the roles the Department of Defense must fill — at the Pentagon and within the services. The first position is a senior military advisory for cyber policy — who will also serve as the deputy principal cyber adviser and be at least a two-star general — within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Under the scope of the senior military adviser for cyber policy, specific duties include being [...]