Author Archive

Sean D. Carberry

Sean Carberry is a former FCW staff writer who focused on defense, cybersecurity and intelligence.

Cybersecurity

DOD pushes toward CAC replacement

Defense officials hope the Common Access Card's days are numbered as they continue to test new identity management solutions.

Cybersecurity

House adds cyber strategy provision to defense bill

The House overwhelmingly passed the 2018 defense bill after adding cyber provisions, including the requirement for the DOD to update its cyber strategy and definition of cyber deterrence.

Cybersecurity

Why cyber capabilities are more important than strategy

The Senate version of the 2018 defense bill calls for the creation of a cyber strategy, but one former DOD official says the U.S. must focus on capabilities and authorities first.

Cybersecurity

FBI nominee stresses cyber and spy powers

FBI director nominee Christopher Wray told senators he will make cyber and the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 top priorities if he is confirmed.

Cybersecurity

Expert: Battling botnets requires standards and automation

The departments of Commerce and Homeland Security have embarked on a year-long study on how to reduce botnets, but one former official says steps must be taken now to combat the growing problem.

Cybersecurity

Can the U.S. rein in Russia's hacking?

President Trump briefly raised and quashed the prospect of the U.S and Russia cooperating on cybersecurity. But what can be done to keep Russia in check in cyberspace?

Modernization

Will nuclear breaches melt down information sharing?

While cybersecurity and nuclear experts say the recently disclosed cyber breaches do not pose a risk to nuclear safety, the fallout could be that critical infrastructure firms grow more reluctant to share cyberthreat information with the government.

Modernization

Survey: Cyber pros fear attack on critical infrastructure

A majority of security professionals say a successful cyber attack on critical infrastructure is likely within the next two years.

Cybersecurity

NATO cyber center, DHS probe Petya attack

Kevin Scheid, a 32-year veteran of the DOD and OMB, takes over NATO's Communications and Information Agency as investigations continue into who launched the Petya attack and what to do about it.

Acquisition

IT, acquisition face changes in 2018 defense bills

The House and Senate have completed their draft 2018 defense bills that could result in significant changes for acquisition and IT management in the Pentagon.

People

DOD CIO explains FITARA fail

In June, DOD received an F+ for its implementation of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, but the CIO says his department is working to bring up its marks.

Cybersecurity

Why government should let industry drive cybersecurity

The government needs to stop trying to lead the cybersecurity charge and instead organize itself around facilitating private-sector-led solutions, say experts and officials.

Cybersecurity

Why the cyber EO won't solve botnets

One section of the Trump administration’s cyber executive order calls for reducing threats from botnets, but members of the interagency team studying the topic warn it will be an uphill battle.

Cybersecurity

Trump taps Gordon to be principal deputy in ODNI

Current NGA Deputy Director Susan Gordon is a career intelligence official who helped create In-Q-Tel and has been a key driver of ICITE.

Acquisition

Big data, AI key to DOD supply-chain security

The Pentagon will need to leverage big data and artificial intelligence to defend against supply-chain vulnerabilities, officials and industry leaders say.

People

Lord tapped to lead DOD acquisition

The Trump administration has nominated Ellen Lord, president and CEO of defense contractor Textron Systems, to serve as undersecretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Cybersecurity

Officials press Congress to reauthorize spy powers

The Trump administration is asking Congress to reauthorize a critical foreign surveillance program without any amendments and to eliminate the sunset clause.

Cybersecurity

Stolen NSA tool behind another global ransomware attack

EternalBlue, the Microsoft exploit allegedly stolen from the NSA, is at the heart of Petya, a new and more sophisticated variant of WannaCry that is crippling banks, transport systems and businesses in Europe and elsewhere.

Digital Government

Acquisition reform prioritized in 2018 NDAA

The House Armed Services Committee is making acquisition reform a priority in its 2018 National Defense Authorization Act draft.

Cybersecurity

Former fed and contractor charged with spying for China

A mobile device tipped off feds to a Virginia man who now faces life in prison on charges of passing classified national defense information to Chinese intelligence agents.