Department of Homeland Security News

3 Washington State Electric Substations Vandalized

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Vandalism at three power substations in western Washington early Sunday initially cut power to about 14,000 utility customers, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said. The attacks come as federal officials are warning that the U.S. power …

US Announces New Cybersecurity Requirements for Critical Pipeline Owners

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday required owners and operators of critical pipelines that transport hazardous liquids and natural gas to implement “urgently needed protections against cyber intrusions.” It was the second security directive issued by the …

Ransomware Gangs Get Paid Off as Officials Struggle for Fix

BOSTON (AP) — If your business falls victim to ransomware and you want simple advice on whether to pay the criminals, don’t expect much help from the U.S. government. The answer is apt to be: It depends. “It is the …

US Pipelines Ordered to Increase Cyber Defenses After Hack

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. pipeline operators will be required for the first time to conduct a cybersecurity assessment under a Biden administration directive in response to the ransomware hack that disrupted gas supplies in several states this month. The Transportation …

U.S. to Boost Pipeline Cyber Protections in Wake of Colonial Hack

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is working with pipeline companies to strengthen protections against cyberattacks following the Colonial Pipeline hack and will announce actions in coming days, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said on Tuesday. The Transportation Security Administration …

FBI Probe of Major Hack Includes Project-Management Software From JetBrains

WASHINGTON, Jan 6 — The FBI is investigating whether the hackers behind a series of intrusions at U.S. federal agencies and companies also broke into project-management software created by the Czech-based company JetBrains in order to breach its customers, two …

Suspected Russian Hacking Spree Reached Into Microsoft -Sources

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft was breached in the massive hacking campaign disclosed by U.S. officials this week, according to people familiar with the matter, adding a top technology target to a growing list of vital government agencies. The Redmond, Washington, …

Suspected Russian Hackers Target Frail U.S. Supply Chain

For years, U.S. officials have warned about the dangers of cyber-attacks involving the electronics supply chain. This week’s revelation that a growing number of federal agencies were breached in a widespread attack by suspected Russian hackers shows how little they …

U.S. Agencies Failed to Heed Cybersecurity Warnings, GAO Says

As details of the most audacious hack on the U.S. government in recent memory continued to stun lawmakers and the public, a government watchdog released a blistering report saying that federal agencies have failed to implement key safeguards for their …

U.S. Issues Alert About Malware Used by Chinese Government

The U.S. government issued an alert Monday that a type of malware seen frequently by security researchers in the last decade is tied to the Chinese government, the latest in a series of American warnings about China’s cyber capabilities this …