The Federal Government’s Track Record on Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure – A report prepared by the Minority Staff of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Sen. Tom Coburn, MD, Ranking Member. February 4, 2014. “In the past few years, we have seen significant breaches in cybersecurity which could affect critical U.S. infrastructure. Data on the nation’s weakest… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Defense
Annual Report on Assistance Related to International Terrorism: Fiscal Year 2013
U.S. Dept. of State, Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Bureau of Counterterrorism, February 11, 2014. Annual Report on Assistance Related to International Terrorism, Fiscal Year 2013 “This report is submitted pursuant to the requirements for a congressionally mandated annual report codified at 22 U.S.C. § 2349aa-7(b). During Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, the U.S. government provided assistance related to… Continue Reading
Intelligence Community: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Reporting, Planning for Use of Contract Personnel
CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Reporting on and Planning for the Use of Contract Personnel, GAO-14-204: Published: Jan 29, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 2014. “Collectively, CIA, ODNI, and the departments responsible for developing policies to address risks related to contractors for the other six civilian IC elements have made limited progress in developing… Continue Reading
NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework
“Recognizing that the national and economic security of the United States depends on the reliable functioning of critical infrastructure, the President issued Executive Order 13636, Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, in February 2013. It directed NIST to work with stakeholders to develop a voluntary framework – based on existing standards, guidelines, and practices – for reducing cyber… Continue Reading
DC Navy Yard Shooting: Fixing the Security Clearance Process
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Staff Report: Slipping Through the Cracks: How the D.C. Navy Yard Shooting Exposes Flaws in the Federal Security Clearance Process, February 11, 2014. “The Committee on Oversight & Government Reform plans to consider legislation to improve problems identified in the security clearance process during this investigation. Section IV of the report… Continue Reading
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Releases Report on DOD Response to Benghazi
“The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations released a comprehensive report today, Majority Interim Report: Benghazi Investigation Update, evaluating the response of the Department of Defense (DOD) to the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012. To undertake the committee’s review, Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon directed the Subcommittee on Oversight and… Continue Reading
The Future of the U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force
RAND – “In the lead-up to the Air Force Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Analysis of Alternatives, RAND was asked to examine and assess possible intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) alternatives against the current Minuteman III system and to provide insights into the potential impact of further force reductions. The researchers developed a framework consisting of five categories — basing, propulsion, boost,… Continue Reading
Leaked Documents Reveal Government Cyber Attacks on Hactivists
NBC News – MARK SCHONE, RICHARD ESPOSITO, MATTHEW COLE AND GLENN GREENWALD: “Secret British spy unit created to mount cyber attacks on Britain’s enemies has waged war on the hacktivists of Anonymous and LulzSec, according to documents taken from the National Security Agency by Edward Snowden and obtained by NBC News. The blunt instrument the spy unit… Continue Reading
FISC Approves Government’s Request to Modify Telephony Metadata Program
“During his speech on Jan. 17, 2014, President Obama ordered a transition that will end the Section 215 bulk telephony metadata program as it currently exists, and establish a mechanism that preserves the capabilities we need without the government holding this bulk data. As a first step in that transition, the President directed the Attorney… Continue Reading
Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions
CRS – Iran: U.S. Economic Sanctions and the Authority to Lift Restrictions. Dianne E. Rennack, Specialist in Foreign Policy Legislation. February 4, 2014. “The regime of economic sanctions against Iran is arguably the most complex the United States and the international community have ever imposed on a rogue state. Iran’s economy was once integrated into world trade, markets, and banking.… Continue Reading
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2012 and Beyond: Detainee Matters
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2012 and Beyond: Detainee Matters. Jennifer K. Elsea, Legislative Attorney; Michael John Garcia Legislative Attorney. January 27, 2014. “In recent years, Congress has included provisions in annual defense authorization bills addressing issues related to detainees at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and, more broadly, the disposition of persons captured in… Continue Reading
Popular Science – Why Robot Trucks Could Be Headed To Afghanistan
Erik Sofge: “In Afghanistan, the shipments are about to hit the fan. Along with pulling all of its combat troops from the country by the end of this year, the Pentagon has to clean up after itself, hauling away most of the weapons, supplies and assorted infrastructure accumulated over 13 years of local war. Defense… Continue Reading
