New bill strengthens DHS role in federal cybersecurity. Your thoughts?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 05:05:29 -0400

A bipartisan group of senators looking to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's ability to intercede at agencies with weak cybersecurity introduced the Federal Information Security Management Reform Act (FISMA Reform) on Wednesday.

Senators introduced the new legislation in response to two massive breaches of Office of Personnel Management networks reported this year, asserting that more involvement from DHS — the government agency in charge of guarding federal networks — could have stopped the hackers.

"The attack on OPM has been a painful illustration of just how behind-the-curve some of our federal agencies have been when it comes to cybersecurity," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., one of six co-sponsors on the bill. "If we want to be better prepared to meet this threat in the future, we have to make sure that the Department of Homeland Security has the tools it needs to adequately secure our federal civilian networks."

The Office of Management and Budget gave DHS the authority to scan civilian agency networks back in October but the new legislation takes it much further. The FISMA Reform legislation would codify some of that authority, as well as enabling DHS to take more proactive measures when appropriate.

http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/cybersecurity/2015/07/23/fisma-reform-act/30564001/

New bill strengthens DHS role in federal cybersecurity

Senators introduce FISMA Reform bill to give Homeland Security more authority in protecting .gov domain.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jul 27 at 2015 5:17 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 05:17:51 -0400

It was about time for some type of cyber-security management to bring all the Government agencies that use and/or store sensitive, or classified information, on the same page.

The problem is that it will likely take years before all agencies can be brought up to standards. This creates a perfect opportunity for enemies of the US, and other "Hackers", to invade these systems and steal classified information regarding the policies of those agencies, and any personal information saved, that could be used against almost anyone, at anytime.

Response by SFC Jeff L. made Jul 27 at 2015 8:58 AM

SFC Jeff L. — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 08:58:32 -0400

Dismantle the DHS. They are a redundant, unnecessary gov't agency with too much authority already.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 27 at 2015 9:41 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 09:41:08 -0400

Video tour of ICE's expanded Cyber Crimes Center ...

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) team has a new, expanded Cyber Crimes Center (C3) in Fairfax, Virginia, to help coordinate cyber operations and train agents in cutting edge investigative techniques.

The renovated center unveiled Wednesday will act as the central point for ICE cyber investigations, which focus on issues like theft of intellectual property and export controlled data; sale of stolen credit cards and other personally identifiable information; and the cyber aspects of child exploitation, black markets and document fraud.

The expanded facility includes a new 5,000-square-foot forensic lab, evidence vault, training and conference rooms and a central space for coordinating large operations.

"The men and women of Homeland Security Investigations perform critical work in combating criminals that use the computer as their weapon, perpetrating crimes ranging from child exploitation to the theft of intellectual property," said DHS Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. "The development of this expanded Cyber Crimes Center provides this great workforce with the facility and tools they deserve to accomplish their mission."

Starting in early 2016, the center will also be used to train HSI special agents on the latest techniques in cyber smuggling, undercover operations and intrusion detection and investigations. These training sessions will be added to C3's current portfolio, which includes the use of cyber tools to identify victims in child sexual exploitation investigations.

Read more at ...

http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/dhs/2015/07/23/ice-cyber-crimes-center/30573089/

Video tour of ICE's expanded Cyber Crimes Center

Get a look at ICE Homeland Security Investigations' new 5,000-square-foot Cyber Crimes Center.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2015 9:12 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:12:20 -0400

War requires defending and attacking.

Response by SPC Greg K. made Jul 28 at 2015 9:47 AM

SPC Greg K. — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:47:08 -0400

You mean to tell me a bunch of congressional bureaucrats are going to keep us safer by giving another agency more power to oversee other agencies to inflict their vast knowledge of network protection by implement their own version of cyber security techniques to mitigate future breaches.....WHEW!!!! And I was just starting to think they were useless.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 31 at 2015 7:07 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 07:07:05 -0400

Just when we dismantle most of the Patriot Act, THIS comes along...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 31 at 2015 7:07 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 07:07:48 -0400

Something must be done. Too many recent hackings of information. Our country is vulnerable and Russia and China know it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 26 at 2015 8:26 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 20:26:39 -0500

I am all for it as DHS mission is to protect the US from natural and man made attacks and disasters.