March 29, 2024

US Unprepared for Major Cyber Attacks

New Normal on the Internet cyber

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America is unprepared to respond to a major cyber attack, reports Real Clear Defense. Recent private company breaches, including Sony’s, are warnings of crippling future threats to critical infrastructure such as the power grid, banking system, food distribution and storage, and air traffic control. The Pentagon’s Defense Information Systems Agency and US Cyber Command are effective at securing defense networks and have developed offensive capabilities. However, the rest of government, state and local as well as federal, is not nearly as well protected as the DoD.

The GSA issued an RFI on Friday that requests corporate insight on IT security indicators that should be assessed when determining whether a vendor can supply secure products and services, according to FederalTimes. Federal agencies need a standardized way to talk with industry about risk factors involved in IT projects.

Pentagon management came in $500 million under the contract services spending limits required by the 2012 NDAA, an improvement over the previous year when departmental caps were exceeded by $1.72 billion, reports Government Executive.

Military Times provides Chapter 1 of an analysis titled, “America’s Military: The Crushing Deployment Tempo.” The commentary states that after 13 years of war, service members feel worn out, underpaid and without a sense of mission. With budgets and force size shrinking, many say they are doing the same amount of work with fewer people and less money.

The Navy’s cut of the massive government spending bill settles several funding questions that had loomed since the 2015 request was introduced last year, according to DefenseNews. Congress will support the refueling of the USS George Washington and continue to operate an 11-ship carrier fleet, and an extra 15 EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft are included, providing Boeing’s production line with another year of work.

Lawmakers are divided over whether the president’s highly secretive UAV strike program needs more congressional scrutiny, according to National Journal. Some criticize the program’s legality, while others have concerns about killing combatants who may have valuable information. The administration has defended the program but its efficiency and civilian casualties record remain secret.

NAS: Pax River invites public comment on the Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the Environmental Restoration Program Site 4A under the environmental restoration program, reports Calvert Live. Site 4A occupies approximately 76.4 acres and is located east of Shaw road and south of Pine Hill run near the southern boundary of the installation. Public comment begins on December 15, 2014, and closes on January 14, 2015. A public meeting is scheduled for 6 pm on December 17, 2014, at the Frank Knox Employee Development Building, Building 2189, Room 100, to present the PRAP for Site 4A and answer questions.

A research-and-development initiative to help counter advances being made by potential adversaries now has a tentative timeline, reports DefenseNews. An RFI was introduced that identifies five major breakthrough technologies subject areas: space technology, undersea technology, air dominance and strike technology, air and missile defense technology, and “other technology-driven concepts,” which include everything from nanotechnologies to bio systems to cyber technologies.

NAVAIR’s mentoring and leadership development programs won third place at the Human Capital Management Government Awards ceremony, according to NAVAIR News. The mentoring program was recognized for advancing opportunities for high-performing employees and providing training and competency development to engage and motivate the workforce.

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