The Cybersecurity (CS) Digest is a curated bi-weekly news summary for cybersecurity professionals. It is transmitted in an HTML-formatted email and provides links to articles and news summaries across a spectrum of cybersecurity topics.

CSIAC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Free CSIAC Webinar – Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations - CSIAC

This webinar will explain in detail the changes contained in SP 800-171 revision 1 and various FAR/DFAR hooks into the document, impacts it has on your organization, and how you can continue to implement its IA guidelines.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Big Data and Cloud Computing:

A Cloud for the Artificial Mind: This Data Center is Designed for Deep Learning - Data Center Knowledge

Over the last five years or so, Machine Learning, a type of AI, has been a quickly rising tide that’s now starting to permeate nearly every corner of technology.

Data Security:

Facebook Offers Extra Security with USB Key Support - Engadget

Physical keys are supposed to be more effective than mobile apps and SMS verification, because there's no chance of phishing or man-in-the-middle attacks.

British Man Arrested Over Links to Hacking Washington DC’s CCTV network - International Business Times

A couple including a British man has been arrested by UK authorities as part on an ongoing investigation into a massive cyber attack that disabled 123 of 187 police security cameras in Washington DC just prior to the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January.

Blockchain’s Brilliant Approach to Cybersecurity - Venturebeat

Hackers can shut down entire networks, tamper with data, lure unwary users into cybertraps, steal and spoof identities, and carry out other devious attacks by leveraging centralized repositories and single points of failure.

Healthcare Security:

$3.2 Million HIPAA Fine: An Analysis - Data Breach today

A key lesson to be learned from this case "is that the Office for Civil Rights can only be pushed so far when a covered entity or business associate is shown to have systemic, management-driven failures in putting into place safeguards to protect its health information," says privacy attorney David Holtzman, vice president at the security consulting firm CynergisTek.

Network Security:

Zero-Day Windows Security Flaw Could Crash Systems, Cause BSODs - Softpedia

An advisory published earlier today reveals that the vulnerability resides in the SMB service, and the US-CERT says that both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are exposed to attacks. There are reports claiming that Windows Server systems could also be affected, but there's still no confirmation in this regard.

Many Android VPN Apps Breaking Privacy Promises - ThreatPost

An alarming number of Android VPNs are providing a decidedly false sense of security to users, especially those living in areas where communication is censored or technology is crucial to the privacy and physical security.

Microsoft Ventures Backs Illusive Networks, a Cybersecurity Firm That Protects With Deception - TECHCRUNCH

Illusive Networks, a cybersecurity startup based out of Israel that protects networks by building "deception" frameworks to identify and trap malicious hackers, is today announcing that it has added Microsoft Ventures - the software giant's young investment arm - as its newest strategic investor.

Quantum Computing:

Quantum Computers Versus Hackers, Round One. Fight! - Wired

It's the first time quantum has been used to fight cyber crime, and if it works, it could reshape how security analysts protect their networks from harm.

FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS DIGEST:

Most Popular:

Gmail Phishing: Latest Cyber Attack Infects Users by Mimicking Past Emails - Independent

The incredibly clever technique involves a fake but convincing and functional Gmail sign-in page.

This Simple Phishing Attack Can Steal Your Browser Autofill Data - ZDNet

Some browsers will turn over a user's autofill information - even when the website doesn't ask for it.

Putin Directed Cyberattack, Propaganda Operation To Influence US Election - Dark Reading

US Office of the Director of National Intelligence releases unclassified version of intel community's findings on Russia's attempts to influence US presidential race via cyberattacks, leaks, and pure propaganda.

CSIAC SUPPORTED COMMUNITIES:

Upcoming Events - CSIAC

View Upcoming Events around the world on the CSIAC website.

Cyber Security of Critical Infrastructure - Department of Homeland Security

CSIAC serves on the EO 13636/PPD-21 Research & Development (R&D) Working Group (WG) run by DHS S&T. If you would like further information, contact Dr. Paul Losiewicz at plosiewicz@csiac.org

Cyber Community of Interest (COI) Group - CSIAC

The Cyber COI engages in multiple activities and forums for coordinating cyber S&T strategies, sharing innovative ideas and technical approaches, promoting technology transfer and upcoming business opportunities, and in jointly planning programs across the Department of Defense and other government agencies. Membership is based upon approval by the Cyber COI group administrator.

The Cyber Shield Newsletter - New Mexico Counterintelligence Working Group (NMCIWG)

The Cyber Shield is a Cyber Newsletter for Counterintelligence, IT and Security Professionals associated with DoD and USG agencies. There are no distribution constraints. If you would like to subscribe, please contact Paul Losiewicz at plosiewicz@csiac.org

TECHNICAL RESOURCES:

DIB CS/IA Voluntary Information Sharing Program - DoD DIBNet

DoD's DIB CS/IA program is a voluntary program to enhance and supplement DIB participants' capabilities to safeguard DoD information that resides on, or transits, DIB unclassified information systems.

US-CERT Bulletins - Department of Homeland Security

Bulletins provide weekly summaries of new vulnerabilities. Patch information is provided when available.

US-CERT Alerts - Department of Homeland Security

Alerts provide timely information about current security issues, vulnerabilities, and exploits.

National Vulnerability Database - NIST

NVD is the U.S. government repository of standards based vulnerability management data represented using the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP). This data enables automation of vulnerability management, security measurement, and compliance. NVD includes databases of security checklists, security related software flaws, misconfigurations, product names, and impact metrics.

POLICY RESOURCES:

Presidential Policy Directive – United States Cyber Incident Coordination - The White House

The DoD Cybersecurity Policy Chart (Formerly the IA Policy Chart) - CSIAC

DoD Cyber Domain Resources - Department of Defense

DHS Cyber Security Strategy (“Blueprint for a Secure Cyber Future”, 2011) - Department of Homeland Defense

Trustworthy CyberSpace: Strategic Plan For The Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Program - NITRD

Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) - Committee on National Security Systems

GUIDANCE:

Opportunities Exist for DOD to Share Cybersecurity Resources with Small Businesses - GAO

DOD OSBP officials acknowledged that cybersecurity is an important and timely issue for small businesses -and therefore the office is considering incorporating cybersecurity into its existing outreach and education efforts. During the review, GAO identified 15 existing federal cybersecurity resources that DOD OSBP could disseminate to defense small businesses.

DHS S&T Collaboration Community - Ideascale

The National Conversation is intended to bring together everyone to play a role in shaping the future of homeland security technology. This means responders, operational users, citizens, academia, and industry.

The Department of Defense Cyber Strategy - Department of Defense

The purpose of this strategy is to guide the development of DoD's cyber forces and strengthen our cyber defense and cyber deterrence posture. It focuses on building cyber capabilities and organizations for DoD's three primary cyber missions.

Information Sharing Environment - ISE

The Information Sharing Environment (ISE) broadly refers to the people, projects, systems, and agencies that enable responsible information sharing for national security.

Standards & Reference Documents - CSIAC

View all Best Practices and Reference Documents on the CSIAC website.

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