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HHS Suffers Cyber Attack Amid COVID-19 Response
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HHS Suffers Cyber Attack Amid COVID-19 Response
HHS Suffers Cyber Attack Amid COVID-19 Response

The Department of Health and Human Services experienced a cyber attack as part of a disinformation campaign that seeks to disrupt response to the coronavirus pandemic, Bloomberg reported Monday.

John Ullyot, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement the federal government is conducting a thorough investigation of the cyber incident. “HHS and federal government cybersecurity professionals are continuously monitoring and taking appropriate actions to secure our federal networks,” he added.

The NSC posted a tweet Sunday warning citizens about fake text messages on a national quarantine in response to COVID-19. People familiar with the matter said the disinformation was linked to the HHS cyber attack, which overloaded the department’s servers and may be caused by a foreign state actor.

“On Sunday, we became aware of a significant increase in activity on HHS cyber infrastructure and are fully operational as we actively investigate the matter,” Caitlin Oakley, a spokeswoman for HHS, said in a statement.

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NIST Releases Guidance for Assessing Impact of Supply-Chain Cyber Incidents
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NIST Releases Guidance for Assessing Impact of Supply-Chain Cyber Incidents

NIST Releases Guidance for Assessing Impact of Supply-Chain Cyber Incidents

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued a guidance for organizations seeking to “improve their supply chain risk management or third-party risk programs.”

The draft publication, titled “Impact Analysis Tool for Interdependent Cyber Supply Chain Risks”, is aimed at helping federal agencies improve their identification and assessment of the potential cybersecurity risks in their interconnected supply-chain networks.

NIST said the C-SCRM Interdependency Tool serves as a prototype concept for measuring the impact of a supply chain-related cyber event. The tool also establishes metrics and identifies “nodes” to improve visibility across the supply chain network and specific suppliers, products and projects.

The guidance’s publication comes after NIST researchers found that impact was “frequently overlooked” in cybersecurity risk studies. According to NIST, the need for evaluating supply-chain cyber events becomes greater as federal agencies become more aware of cybersecurity risks at the supplier level.

“This can be a difficult activity, especially for those organizations with complex operational environments and supply chains,” NIST said in the guidance. “A publicly available solution to support supply chain risk analysis that specifically takes into account the potential impact of an event does not currently exist.”

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Air Force Concludes Ground System Modernization to Support GSSAP Surveillance Satellites
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Air Force Concludes Ground System Modernization to Support GSSAP Surveillance Satellites
Air Force Concludes Ground System Modernization to Support GSSAP Surveillance Satellites

The U.S. Air Force’s 1st Space Operations Squadron has updated a ground system for a fleet of Northrop Grumman-built space surveillance satellites slated to expand later this year, C4ISRnet reported Sunday.

The squadron passed operational acceptance assessments for the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program ground infrastructure including software overhauls in February. 1st SOPS began the modernization effort in 2017 and concluded a trial period in December last year.

The initial GSSAP satellites were launched to orbit in 2014, with the GSSAP 3 and 4 spacecraft joining the fleet in 2016.

“There have been a series of robust security upgrades,” said Capt. Bradley Frost, satellite engineer for 1st SOPS. “There have been new hardware and bug fixes that have significantly increased the reliability of the system. To sum it up, it’s better, faster and more secure than ever before.”

The U.S. Space Force plans to launch the GSSAP 5 and 6 satellites aboard United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket by the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Space Force Announces Readiness of New Signals Jammer
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Space Force Announces Readiness of New Signals Jammer
Space Force Announces Readiness of New Signals Jammer

The U.S. Space Force has declared operational capability of a new ground-based communications jammer designed to disrupt enemy satellite communications, Space News reported Sunday.

Space and Missile Systems Center tested the L3Harris-made Counter Communications System Block 10.2 over a year before achieving operational status.

Troops can portably use CCS to deter enemy satellite transmissions. The system's new Block 10.2 version follows a previous one made in 2014.

Air National Guard and Space Force members serve as the system's users.

Space and Missile Systems Center turned CCS Block 10.2 over to Peterson Air Force Base last Thursday.

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AFRL, Antelope Valley College Form Engineering Education Partnership
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AFRL, Antelope Valley College Form Engineering Education Partnership

AFRL, Antelope Valley College Form Engineering Education Partnership

The Air Force Research Laboratory has entered into an agreement with Antelope Valley College in California to encourage students in taking engineering studies.

AVC and AFRL seek to address the shortage of military scientists and engineers and expand the number of engineering students through the Educational Partnership Agreement, the U.S. Air Force said Friday.

The two entities will explore options to create new engineering and propulsion courses, while members of AFRL’s rocket propulsion division will work to provide opportunities to AVC. Additionally, the team will build a facility that will foster collaboration between engineering designers, students and commercial aerospace firms and enable to development of experimental prototypes.

“Antelope Valley College offers a full range of aviation programs from an intensive eight-week program for immediate entry-level job placement, to certificate programs, two-year degree programs, and a baccalaureate degree program and is excited to be working with AFRL in this new endeavor,” said Leslie Uhazy, vice president of academic affairs at AFC.

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CISA: Organizations Must Bolster Cybersecurity Amid Coronavirus
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CISA: Organizations Must Bolster Cybersecurity Amid Coronavirus

CISA: Organizations Must Bolster Cybersecurity Amid Coronavirus

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency advises organizations to bolster network protection as they adopt telework approaches due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Organizations must be aware of the increase of cyber vulnerabilities in using enterprise virtual private networks, a requirement for mass telework or work-from-home arrangements, CISA said Friday.

The use of VPN may open organizations to more phishing threats and reduce the availability of information technology security personnel, the agency noted.

CISA recommends organizations to increase phishing awareness among employees, ensure VPNs are updated, prepare IT personnel for cybersecurity tasks, employ multi-factor authentication for VPN access and report all concerns to the agency.

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Edward Parkinson Promoted as FirstNet Executive Director
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Edward Parkinson Promoted as FirstNet Executive Director
Edward Parkinson
Edward Parkinson

Edward Parkinson, formerly acting executive director at the First Responder Network Authority, has assumed the role on a full capacity.

FirstNet said Thursday the organization published a roadmap for public safety and invested in expanded network coverage and 5G capabilities during Parkinson's tenure as acting executive director.

Parkinson started his career at FirstNet in 2013 and held various posts including the role of director for government affairs. He also worked as a professional staff member for Congress.

Additionally, he assisted former Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King in drafting the initial bill behind the establishment of FirstNet.

“I am proud of the work that we do every day to help public safety and am excited about the opportunity to continue leading the FirstNet Authority as we evolve the network to meet their communications needs,” said Parkinson.

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Mark Green to Resign as USAID Administrator; Bonnie Glick to Fill Role
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Mark Green to Resign as USAID Administrator; Bonnie Glick to Fill Role
Mark Green
Mark Green

Mark Green, leader of the U.S. Agency for International Development, will step down from his position before the month ends, Politico reported Friday.

Bonnie Glick, USAID's deputy administrator and a former foreign service officer with the State Department, will reportedly succeed Green on an acting basis.

Green would join the McCain Institute for International Leadership where he will serve as president, the report noted.

He formerly served as a republican party representative and is a member of various boards of directors such as those of Millennium Challenge Corp. and WorldTeach. Green was also president of the International Republican Institute.

Glick has been serving as USAID's deputy administrator since early 2019.

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Lawmakers Secure Access to Memo on US Cyber Ops; Jim Langevin Quoted
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Lawmakers Secure Access to Memo on US Cyber Ops; Jim Langevin Quoted
Jim Langevin
Jim Langevin

The Trump administration has allowed Congress to access classified documents in an effort to improve oversight on offensive and defensive cyber activities outside the U.S., Fifth Domain reported Saturday.

Lawmakers can now review National Security Presidential Memorandum 13, which covers presidential approval procedures on U.S. offensive and defensive cyber operations conducted beyond the nation’s networks. The documentation mainly covers Department of Defense operations, although it encompasses all agencies and departments, according to the report.

Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., aid in a statement that the move will help Congress ensure that U.S. cyber operations "do not inadvertently undermine that stability and reflect our commitments to responsible state behavior in this new domain.”

“Having reviewed the relevant National Security Presidential Memorandum, I am now more confident that the necessary checks are in place to ensure that our actions in cyberspace contribute to stability of the domain rather than undermining it,” he added.

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James Taiclet Named President and CEO of Lockheed Martin; Marillyn Hewson Quoted
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James Taiclet Named President and CEO of Lockheed Martin; Marillyn Hewson Quoted

James Taiclet Named President and CEO of Lockheed Martin; Marillyn Hewson Quoted

The Board of Directors of Lockheed Martin has appointed James Taiclet as president and CEO, effective June 15, the company announced on Monday.

“I know it is the right time to transition the leadership of Lockheed Martin. The corporation is strong, as evidenced by our outstanding financial results last year and a record backlog of business. We have a bright future – particularly with Jim and our outstanding leadership team at the helm,” said Marillyn Hewson, former president and CEO of Lockheed Martin.

Taiclet will succeed Hewson, who has served as chairman, president and CEO since 2014 and president and CEO since 2013. Hewson will become executive chairman of the board, also effective June 15, subject to her re-election to the board by the stockholders at the upcoming annual meeting.

Taiclet will continue to serve as a member of the corporation’s board, which he joined in 2018. He has served as chairman, president and CEO of American Tower Corporation since 2004 and CEO since 2003.

In his role with American Tower Corporation, the company grew significantly and increased its market capitalization from approximately $2 billion to approximately $100 billion. Taiclet guided the American Tower’s transformation from a primarily U.S. business to a global player in its industry, with significant assets and operations in 19 countries.

Prior to his position at American Tower, Taiclet served as president of Honeywell Aerospace Services, a unit of Honeywell International from March 1999 to September 2001. He also held the role of Vice President of Engine Services at Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation from March 1996 to March 1999.

At McKinsey & Company, Taiclet specialized in telecommunications and aerospace strategy and operations from July 1991 to February 1996. He began his career as a United States Air Force officer and pilot.

“I’m honored to be asked to succeed one of the most respected CEOs in America. While serving on Lockheed Martin’s board, I’ve not only been impressed by the company’s continued growth as a leader in aerospace & defense but also by the dedication and commitment of Marillyn and Lockheed Martin employees to deliver for its customers,” said Taiclet.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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