Jeanette Manfra, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, has said approximately 15 percent of federal agencies were found using Kaspersky Lab’s anti-virus software in their computer systems before DHS ordered a ban on the use of the Russian company’s software, Nextgov reported Tuesday.

DHS issued a binding operational directive in September that requires agencies to discontinue the use of Kaspersky’s anti-virus platforms in their systems within 90 days due to the company’s potential ties to the Russian government.

Manfra told House Science Committee members Tuesday that those agencies gained access to Kaspersky software through a package of digital security services.

She noted that about 94 percent of agencies were able to comply with the October deadline to screen their networks for the software and develop a plan to facilitate the removal of the tool from their systems.

Manfra also fielded questions from Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House panel, on whether DHS has enough evidence that vulnerabilities in Kaspersky’s software have been exploited to compromise data in civilian agency networks.

“I want to do a thorough review to ensure that we have the full picture,” Manfra added.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have released an alert saying the government of North Korea appears to have been using a malware to home in on telecommunications, finance and aerospace sectors since 2016, ZDNet reported Tuesday.

The FBI and DHS’ U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team said in the alert issued Tuesday that they identified internet protocol addresses and other threat indicators linked to the Fallchill malware.

Fallchill is a remote administration tool that infects a victim’s computer through the use of fraudulent Transport Layer Security communications and multiple proxies to obscure network traffic.

The agencies labeled North Korea’s network intrusion activity as “Hidden Cobra” that can potentially have “severe impacts” such as loss of proprietary data, disruption to operations, financial losses and potential harm to an institution’s reputation.

DHS urged administrators and users to adopt measures to protect computer networks from the malware and those include the use of application whitelisting to block malicious software and installation of latest software patches.

The U.S. Army‘s 41st Brigade Engineer Battalion uses a specialized technology platform to facilitate a simulation-based training exercise designed to hone soldiers’ tactical and warfighting skills.

A group of D Company soldiers used the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Tactical Proficiency Trainer system during a Military Intelligence Training Strategy exercise that took place Nov. 6 at Fort Drum in New York, the Army said Tuesday.

The training aimed to bring together soldiers who specialize in human, signals and geospatial intelligence in efforts to develop their collaborative skills through physical simulations of intelligence operations.

Matt Madson, lead IEWTPT training support specialist, said the system is designed to help military personnel gather and analyze intelligence data as well as prepare reports about their battlefield mission.

“IEWTPT gives soldiers an accurate representation of what a real battlefield would look like and an opportunity to practice all aspects of the job they would be called upon to do in theater,” Madson added.

Lt. Gen. Mike Lundy, commander of the U.S. Army combined arms center, has said the service branch will increase synthetic training operations at home station and combat training centers.

According to an Army report published Monday, Lundy discussed the emergence of synthetic training technologies and efforts to update current simulator technologies at the Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting and exposition.

Lundy noted increasingly complex environments would require many training repetitions to prepare Soldiers for operations in contested air, land, sea, space and cyber domains.

The USACAS commander added he anticipates the use of synthetic training to commence at home stations and expand at brigade, division and corps levels.

Lundy also said efforts related to leader development and professional military education have begun to catch up with the Field Manual 3.0 “Operations” guideline which tackles Army tactics to be implemented through the next five years.

He added the curriculum will also be updated to include topics regarding the complex airspace, virtual recruiting and banking activities of enemy forces as well as psychological assessments on adversaries, local population and coalition forces.