Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

Daily Archives: March 17, 2020

NIST Updates and Expands Its Flagship Catalog of Information System Safeguards

NIST: “After your organization forms a general plan for tackling its cybersecurity and privacy risk management issues, it needs particular state-of-the-art tools to make that plan a reality. Computer security and privacy experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have the answer with an updated toolbox of safeguards for protecting an organization’s operations and assets, as well as the personal privacy of individuals.

NIST Draft Special Publication (SP) 800-53 Revision 5, Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations, is a collection of hundreds of specific measures for strengthening the systems, component products and services that underlie the nation’s businesses, government and critical infrastructure. One of NIST’s flagship risk management publications, the document  is undergoing its first update in seven years, and the agency is accepting public comments on the draft until May 15, 2020.

The publication offers safeguards for all types of platforms, from general-purpose computers to industrial control systems and internet of things (IoT) devices. Its tools are intended for a broad audience of specialists, from security experts to systems developers to cloud computing providers…”

BBB tips on COVID-19

Better Business Bureau – “Don’t panic, be safe, and avoid scams COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is affecting people, businesses and communities around the world. Better Business Bureau reminds everyone to remain vigilant to avoid scams related to the virus, use necessary, common sense precautions when traveling, and find reliable sources to… Continue Reading

ABA Free Legal Answers reaches milestone with 100,000 inquiries since launch

ABA Free Legal Answers: “An online version of the walk-in clinic model where clients request brief advice and counsel about a specific civil legal issue from a volunteer lawyer. Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state’s website. Lawyers provide information and basic legal… Continue Reading

U.S. Virus Plan Anticipates 18-Month Pandemic and Widespread Shortages

The New York Times: “A federal government plan to combat the coronavirus warned policymakers last week that a pandemic “will last 18 months or longer” and could include “multiple waves,” resulting in widespread shortages that would strain consumers and the nation’s health care system. The 100-page plan, dated Friday, the same day President Trump declared… Continue Reading

COVID-19: How the enterprise is adapting to disruption

ZDNet – “From cancelled tech conferences and disrupted supply chains to telecommuting and cybersecurity threats, the enterprise faces a new normal as COVID-19’s impact escalates. As the impact of COVID-19 on the enterprise escalates, employers and employees must adapt to a new normal. From cancelled conferences to disrupted supply chains, not a corner of the… Continue Reading

Maryland postpones primary – shifts special election to mail voting

Politico = The pandemic which has forced five states to move primaries is fueling a push for more voting by mail across the country: “Maryland is now the fifth state to move its primaries, joining Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio, which saw its primary originally scheduled for today pushed until June after an eleventh-hour legal… Continue Reading

2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Data Repository by Johns Hopkins CSSE

“This is the data repository for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Visual Dashboard operated by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (JHU CSSE). Also, Supported by ESRI Living Atlas Team and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (JHU APL).” Reported coronavirus death toll in U.S. tops 100 – There have been… Continue Reading

Free Resources on the Coronavirus Pandemic to Help You Stay Informed

Book Riot – “The coronavirus pandemic has been riddled with misinformation and panic, including panic buying. Part of the panic is knowing so little about this particular strain of the virus. Fortunately, there are journalists and healthcare professionals rigorously researching information for us. Here’s a list of free resources on the coronavirus pandemic, many of… Continue Reading

Inside the National Quarantine Center, There Is No Fear of Coronavirus. There Is Only Urgency.

“Esquire was granted exclusive access to the nation’s only federal quarantine and biocontainment center in Nebraska. We met the people who work there, and they are as extraordinary—and as courageous—as you think they are. The National Quarantine Center, this nation’s only federal quarantine facility, sits on a single floor of a new building on the… Continue Reading

New to remote work? These tools will make your transition to working from home easier

Poynter: “As the coronavirus outbreak continues (even appearing in newsrooms), organizations are asking employees to work from home when they can. For some, this may mean discovering gaps in your toolstacks. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of tools that might help you address different needs your team may have in staying connected… Continue Reading