The Future of Security
Hackers gained entry into the networks of Colonial Pipeline Co. on April 29 through a virtual private network account, which allowed employees to remotely access the company’s computer network.
A new bill would require AI developers to evaluate privacy risks, assess the potential for discriminatory decisions and the state’s Department of Technology would need to approve the software before its use in the public sector.
As California continues to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, some are concerned that residents’ medical information is at risk as it passes from vaccination providers into the state’s system.
Maryland, Montana and Utah are the only states in the nation that limit what police can access through genealogy websites. State lawmakers have agreed that the final law is a fair compromise.
An appellate court ruling determined that public records penalties against the city of Tacoma, Wash., will be reviewed for the police department’s use of a cellphone tracking system to locate suspect devices.
The breach of a Florida water treatment system that could have poisoned citizens sent shockwaves through local government. No-cost assessment tools and low-cost fixes can increase security in this sector.
It’s a bold attempt to transform cybersecurity. State and local government organizations, along with their vendors, will benefit from strengthened federal requirements.
Body-worn cameras and freedom of information laws do enable oversight and accountability of the police, but they also hold the potential to force sensitive data and stressful episodes in private citizens’ lives into public view that’s easily accessible online.
The breach highlighted the ability of ransomware to interrupt the vital services on which Americans rely. The incident raises important legal and ethical questions surrounding ransomware payments. Just because paying off cyber attackers may be lawful in some contexts, that still doesn’t make it the morally correct thing to do.
At least 42 law enforcement agencies across the state used the facial recognition software but many are discontinuing the service after zero percent of the software’s searches led to an arrest.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that makes it illegal for large tech companies to remove political candidates from their platforms in the run-up of an election, and it makes it easier for the state and residents to sue “Big Tech.”
The new law requires law enforcement agencies to submit an annual drone usage report and requires drone policies to be published on their respective websites.
Legislators want more resiliency since the state has only one natural gas pipeline. About half of all gas stations in North Carolina still don’t have fuel following the Colonial Pipeline shutdown last week.
Legislators have drafted 18 bills that all work towards the legalization of mobile sports betting across the state, but none of them currently include language relating to user data privacy.
The cyber attack gained access to the department’s computer system that contained sensitive data about two dozen police officers, including social security numbers, fingerprints, birthdates, financial history and more.
America’s largest pipeline shut down in the wake of a ransomware attack that triggered a gasoline crisis in cities across the Southeast. It’s just one of several major cyberattacks in recent weeks.
The order will increase the amount of shared information on cyberattacks and aims to improve government cybersecurity practices. The order comes just days after Colonial Pipeline temporarily closed due to a cyberattack.
Lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that will allow police to track any cellphone’s location in real time. Warrants are not needed if the officers believe there is risk of death or serious physical harm.
Disinformation endangered lives as it disrupted emergency response during the Oregon wildfires last fall. To adequately prevent further floods of disinformation, it may take a “whole of government” approach.
Colonial Pipeline has taken some of its technology systems down after they were compromised in a security breach. If the pipeline remains shut down for several days, gas prices could increase.
By building on a decade-old federal effort, the just-launched StateRAMP promises to standardize and simplify procurement of cloud services that have already undergone rigorous security testing.
The nation is debating Section 230 reform, but fighting social media disinformation may be less about what users can say than about how platforms can amplify and recommend it, said MIT panelists.
The state bill would still allow police agencies to keep sensitive investigation information secret, but it would require them to release information about the type, cost and protection protocols of technology usage.
Mayor Brandon Scott is spearheading efforts to increase transparency in city government. Data-driven tools are helping Baltimore residents drill into how the administration is meeting its goals and a range of other topics.
An unexpected resignation has forced the Pennsylvania city to fill two IT department lead positions. The city has enacted an emergency declaration to contract directly with Bedrock Technology, which will cover IT services in the meantime.
The bill would allow consumers to sue big companies for data privacy violations and has received bipartisan support. Big businesses are those with at least $50 million in revenue and collect data from more than 50,000 residents.
There has been a significant decline in carjackings, robberies and shootings since the launch of a controversial surveillance project six years ago. But it’s unclear if the decrease was a direct result of the program.
Can the government regulate information shared by social media companies during an election? According to one West Virginia lawmaker, the answer is "yes." The ACLU, however, says not so fast.
A former employee of a water district plant in Ellsworth, Kan., allegedly logged in and attempted to tamper with the public drinking water system. This is just one of several recent hacks on water systems nationwide.
A congressional hearing last month took up the sticky issue of when and how to hold companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter accountable for misinformation. Lawmakers are now faced with a regulatory maze.
