They’re Baaaaaaack!
Capitol Hill legislators have returned and are moving full
speed ahead on several items that must be addressed this month. The most
important piece of business that must be addressed by Oct. 1 is funding for the
government. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recently announced
that he expected a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government
until the end of the year which would give legislators time to discuss raising
spending caps currently prohibited by the 2011 Budget Control Act.
In the background, Planned Parenthood drama continues and
debate on the Iran nuclear agreement has drawn to a close (September 17 was the
deadline). Transportation funding must
still be dealt with as it is only authorized through October and funded through
the end of the year.
Cybersecurity Information
Sharing Act (CISA) has stalled for now…
Movement on the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
has stalled for now as more immediate legislative items take the front stage.
See above.
But cybersecurity is
still on the minds of the Administration and legislators
Last week, Chinese cyber envoy Meng Jianzhu met with
Secretary of State John Kerry, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and
National Security Adviser Susan Rice for meetings. However, there was no
mention of any significant accomplishments
though Chinese news outlet, Xinhua, has reported that the U.S. and China
reached an “important consensus.”
Next week, though not quite as divine as the Pope’s visit
(he addresses Congress on September 24), Chinese president Xi Jinping will meet
with President Obama. The big question on everyone’s mind is: How forceful will
President Obama be in addressing cybersecurity issues, namely the OPM hack for
which Chinese hackers have been accused?
White House officials were reportedly considering imposing sanctions
before the Chinese president’s visit but those efforts have died down. However,
on September 16, President Obama said that the U.S. would be preparing numerous
measures that indicate to the Chinese that “…this is not just a matter of us
being mildly upset, but is something that will put significant strains on the
bilateral relationship if not resolved…” [insert cracking whip sound]
And on the minds of
presidential candidates
Presidential hopeful Jeb Bush released his cybersecurity platform
on September 14 and cybersecurity was the subject of discussion at the second
GOP Debate held on September 16. Not to mention, John McAfee has entered the
presidential race and is running as an independent on a cybersecurity platform.
Former HP executive Carly Fiorina has previously stated that cybersecurity
should be a central part of the homeland security strategy. On the D side,
Bernie Sanders’ stance on balancing cybersecurity and privacy has re-emerged
and Hillary Clinton continues to address inquiries into her email server
issue.
And even the
Kardashians
Kim, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie each released new personal
media apps and websites earlier this week.
But then, OOPS – 19-year old developer Alaxic Smith was able to access
full names and emails of those that had signed up for one of the Kardashian/Jenner
sites. The security failure is reportedly patched.
Meanwhile, Senators
continue inquiry into security of connected cars
Remember the Jeep that got hacked? It’s still on the minds
of a couple of senators. Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal
(D-Conn.) have initiated a second round of questions for automakers following
up on their initial investigation launched earlier this year. In February, Sen.
Markey released a report
that states that car manufacturers have not done enough to protect cars from
being hacked. This interest is what led to the introduction of S. 1806, the
Security and Privacy in Your Car Act or the SPY Car Act which would set
cybersecurity standards for car manufacturers and would also create a rating
system that advises consumers on how well each vehicle secures and protects its
data. Sen. Blumenthal is a co-sponsor.
Other Buzz:
The U.S. Department of labor (DOL) is seeking
comment on implementing section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (WIOA) (P.L. 113-128) which requires States that operate core
programs comply with performance accountability requirements. In short, DOL is seeking
comment on data methodology and architecture. NASCIO is examining the
appropriate response.
TechBytes:
Check out NASCIO’s
Cybersecurity Newsbriefs for the latest news on IT security
Ohio
data center use expanding among higher ed and local government- Kudos to
NASCIO President and Ohio CIO, Stu Davis
Technologists
are important to policymaking says Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith
Ramirez
Congratulations
on your retirement Mark VanOrden (Utah CIO)