Tag Archive for: security

California Startup to Provide Data Security for US Air Force Documents

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California tech firm Confidencial Inc. has signed a $1.8-million contract to provide advanced data security for the US Air Force’s collaboration tools.

The agreement will deliver a selective encryption solution to enhance productivity related to protecting sensitive national defense documents shared among the agency’s partners, contractors, and allied forces.

Assets covered under the project include various document formats, with some accessible through multi-cloud environments.

Other tasks involve file sharing, data scanning, and electronic signature services.

Work for the contract will be facilitated under the Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer, a program expanding startup defense opportunities.

Led by the air force’s innovation arms AFWERX and Air Force Research Laboratory, this framework agreement promotes collaboration for a pool of industry partners to “eliminate bureaucratic overhead” and apply faster proposal timelines for continuous contract execution.

A “secret” cover sheet typically designates a folder that contains classified material that can be viewed only by those with proper clearance. This folder contains no classified material, however, and the cover sheet itself is unclassified.
A “secret” cover sheet. Photo: C. Todd Lopez/US Department of Defense

“The United States Air Force is among the most sophisticated cybersecurity organizations in the world,” Confidencial CEO Stewart Walchli stated.

“Partnering with the Air Force on this important initiative to protect unstructured data is a tremendous honor and endorsement of our technology.”

“This partnership will further strengthen our technology and capabilities, helping to ensure that our solution continues to be at the forefront of protecting unstructured data for government and commercial organizations alike.”

Latest Data Security Contracts

The US awarded CACI a $1.3-billion contract in April to deliver IT and communications end-user support for over 11,000 American warfighters based in 60 locations across Europe and Africa.

The same month, a tech consortium was established to supply wireless device detection solutions for the Pentagon’s sensitive facilities, which house vital national security data.

Simultaneously, the US government partnered with a Massachusetts-based cloud platform developer to produce a zero-trust cybersecurity prototype for US Army combat units.

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TVC inspects cyber security | Local News

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TRAVERSE CITY — Cherry Capital Airport will explore its data and computer systems security through a “vulnerability study” authorized by the Northwest Regional Airport Authority Board.

The board recently approved a $9,600 contract with Traverse City-based Windemuller Electric — the airport’s information technology or IT contractor — to conduct a vulnerability assessment of the airport’s computer network with an internal audit of its digital systems.

“Obviously, cyber security is very important these days,” said Bob Nelesen, TVC’s airport engineer and zoning administrator. “We’re highly proactive in terms of our cyber security concerns.”

Cyber security breaches within public institutions have made local headlines in recent weeks following a massive disruption of the computer network at Traverse City Area Public Schools that shut down the school system for two days in early April, and prompted an ongoing investigation into the hack by state and federal authorities.

Nelesen said the airport’s cyber security inspection wasn’t prompted by that incident, but that industry standards set by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Institute of Standards and Technology require airports to conduct annual cyber security inspections to maintain the necessary security levels.

Nelesen said the airport also works with the State Police’s Michigan Cyber Security Command — which is also involved in the TCAPS hacking investigation — on cyber security measures.

Nelesen said the Department of Homeland Security and NIST — which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce that sets technology measures and standards to enhance security in fast-evolving sectors such as nanotechnology, quantum information science and homeland security — implemented new cyber security requirements for airports two years ago.

“I would say we’ve had good IT procedures in place,” he said. But as the airport continues to expand in terms of more airline services providers and more activity…

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Ransomware poses growing threat to healthcare data security

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Ransomware poses growing threat to healthcare data security | Insurance Business Australia















Report outlines cyberattacks’ impacts on organisations and their security leaders

Ransomware poses growing threat to healthcare data security


Cyber

By
Roxanne Libatique

Healthcare organisations across the globe are increasingly at risk from cyberattacks, according to a recent report by data security researcher Rubrik Zero Labs.

The report, “The State of Data Security: Measuring Your Data’s Risk,” provides a comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity landscape, emphasising the risks posed by growing digital infrastructure and cloud adoption. It outlines challenges in safeguarding sensitive data and presents strategies to address the evolving…

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Does the UK’s new smart device security law go far enough to prevent cyberattacks?

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Manufacturers will now have to follow tougher rules to sell smart devices in the UK after, what some consider, a long overdue law came into effect at the end of April.

In 2021, an investigation conducted by Which? consumer group discovered that a UK home filled with smart devices could be vulnerable to over 12,000 hacking attempts every week.

The law, known as the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure act (PSTI act), has been described as “long overdue” by experts.

It is designed to ensure better security around devices such as smart doorbells, speakers, televisions, and other devices connected to the Internet, often called the Internet of Things (IoT).

The UK government said the “world first” law would provide “piece of mind” to consumers.

According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, over half of UK households now own a smart TV, and more than half own a voice assistant, along with an average of nine other smart devices.

These devices can include anything from toys and game consoles to fridges and ovens.

Until recently, manufacturers had to follow security guidelines, but the new law adds three tougher requirements to meet:

Is the new law enough to fully secure smart devices?

Cybersecurity groups and experts have welcomed the new law, but some have raised concerns about its effectiveness in combatting the mass amount of rising threats.

Emma Christy, analyst in thematic intelligence at GlobalData, told Verdict that the law was a step in the right direction to strengthen the UK public’s resilience to cyberattacks.

“The new requirements help firms to protect consumers by mandating minimum standards, increasing transparency about the timing of security updates, and helping consumers to make more informed decisions when buying or using smart devices,” Christy said.

However, the question remains whether any fines are punitive enough to deter manufacturer non-compliance, Christy added.

Tim Callon, chief executive officer at cloud security company Sectigo, told VerdIct that despite the government’s steps to improve IoT cybersecurity, it has a long way to go.

“The UK government has taken steps to improve the security of unsafe IoT devices…

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