Security Debrief

Former NSA executive accused of leaking classified information

Former NSA executive accused of leaking classified information – Government Executive
A federal grand jury has indicted a former National Security Agency senior executive on 10 felony counts related to sharing classified information with the media, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.

The indictment alleges that Thomas A. Drake, a high-ranking NSA employee from 2001 through 2008, served as a source in 2006 and 2007 for newspaper articles about the intelligence agency. The indictment claims that some of the information he disclosed was classified.

Great Leaders Are Only One Step in Achieving Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity remains a key issue in the nation’s security. Numerous stories in the news show that while big things are happening, we badly need them to move in a positive direction, and soon. We have passed this ball between the branches of our government for far too long. Decisions need to be made and action taken. As an optimist by nature, I believe that we are now more secure than we were a few years ago. Unfortunately, the threats are growing faster than we can react to them. All of the imagination and intellectual power of this great nation must be unleashed on this problem.

NSA on the Flash-Media Hunt

NSA on the Flash-Media Hunt – NextGov
Shh, the National Security Agency has developed a software tool that detects thumb drives or other flash media connected to a network, and any federal agency can get a copy free — no box tops or coupons required.

The 10 Riskiest Cities for Cyber-Crime

The 10 Riskiest Cities for Cyber-Crime – Government Technology
The threat of falling victim to cyber-crime is so ubiquitous today, and some of America’s biggest cities are even more prone than elsewhere in the country, according to a well known producer of cyber-security software.

Cybersecurity: In Washington, it’s Strategic. In Your City, it’s Pragmatic

In only a few years, cybersecurity has developed from a concept that sounded like science fiction to one of the federal government’s major concerns. The threats are real, they are pervasive, they are persistent and they are sophisticated. The overarching nature of the issue – affecting nearly every aspect of our highly networked lives – makes it the ultimate strategic issue for Washington. While cyber is a strategic issue for Washington’s leaders, for the embattled leaders of our cities, cyber is local and very tactical. That said, how do the leaders of our municipalities look at this issue?

Collins Says U.S. Airport Security Scanners Inferior

Collins Says U.S. Airport Security Scanners Inferior – Maine Public Broadcasting Network
Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says the nation is on the wrong track when it comes to beefing up airport security. The U.S. was spurred to deploy full-body scanners after the failed attempt to bomb a Northwest jetliner in December. The devices are meant to thwart any other bomb-in-a-brief attack.

Cyber Criminals: They are no Captain Jack Sparrow!

At a cyber conference last week, one of the panelists raised an intriguing idea – treat cyber criminals and hackers like pirates. When I write “pirates,” I do not mean like swashbuckling rouge heroes, which is a modern conception given to us by Hollywood and literature. I mean the low-life criminals of despicable character to whom the only thing we owe is a quick hanging. This could be administered by the government (law enforcement or military), or by honest merchants, if the malefactor were caught. OK, I don’t think we should break into houses and physically hang every hacker out there, but we could take a cue from our predecessors.

Napolitano Resigns? Pelosi Raids ICE Headquarters? Really?

Think you’ve heard it all? We beg to differ. For this special April Fools edition, we’ve collected recent news reports that the rest of the media somehow missed.

Cyber Credentials Are Important for Leaders

In the same way we looked for people in the past who were proficient in cross cultural communications, or in other managerial skills (think of the success of Lean Six Sigma), cyber is a growing leadership essential. Individuals who have shown they have a command of the key concepts, challenges and solutions for cyber are being sought for leadership jobs in the DC area. What is happening is a realization that cyber understanding and knowledge is now a critical leadership skill.

Cybersecurity legislation clears Senate committee

Cybersecurity legislation clears Senate committee – NextGov
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday passed legislation that would raise the profile of cybersecurity in the federal government and expand public-private partnerships against cyber threats.