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:: Senate Hearing “Confronting the Challenge of Cybersecurity" Sept 3

Hearings

Dakota State University to Host U.S. Senate Cybersecurity Field Hearing

Republican Press Office - (202) 224-1251

Sep 03 2015 3:30 PM

Dakota State University, Madison, S.D. - South Dakota Tunheim Classroom Building, Room 203

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, will convene and chair a full committee field hearing entitled “Confronting the Challenge of Cybersecurity" on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. CT (3:30 p.m. ET) at Dakota State University. 

Dakota State University's Cyber Operations Program is nationally recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence, holding education, research and cyber operations designations. It is one of the first universities in the country to hold all three prestigious designations. Approximately 20 percent of students at DSU are involved in its cybersecurity programs.

Witnesses:

·         Dr. Josh Pauli, Professor of Cyber Security and NSF SFS CyberCorps Program Director, Dakota State University (DSU)
·         Dr. Kevin Streff, Department Chair, Cyber Operations and Security, Dakota State University; Founder and Managing Partner, Secure Banking Solutions, LLC 
·         Mr. Mark Shlanta, CEO, SDN Communications
·         Mr. Eric Pulse, Director of Risk Advisory Services, Eide Bailly 
·         Mr. Jeremy Epstein, Lead Program Director, Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program, National Science Foundation (NSF)
·         Mr. Kevin Stine, Manager, Security Outreach and Integration Group, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Hearing Details: 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

2:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. ET

Full Committee field hearing at Dakota State University
Madison, South Dakota
Tunheim Classroom Building, Room 203

The hearing will be webcast through www.commerce.senate.gov. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on this page.

:: FTC Announces PrivacyCon :: RFP

PrivacyCon

JAN 14, 2016

CONSTITUTION CENTER400 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024 | Directions & Nearby

EVENT DESCRIPTION

"The Federal Trade Commission will hold a conference on January 14, 2016 to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including whitehat researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, academics, and a range of government regulators, to discuss the latest research and trends related to consumer privacy and data security. The FTC is calling for research to be presented at the conference. 

"Due to the unique role that whitehat researchers, academics, and information security specialists have played in raising awareness about privacy and data security issues, the FTC is particularly interested in enlisting their participation in this effort. For the past several years, their work to strengthen privacy and security protections in this country has greatly benefitted the FTC and the public. For example, the FTC’s reports on the privacy implications of facial recognition technology and the Internet of Things have referred to important academic research. And the FTC has opened numerous law enforcement investigations in response to security vulnerabilities that whitehat researchers have brought to our attention. 

"PrivacyCon seeks to continue and expand collaboration among whitehat researchers, academics, industry representatives, consumer advocates, and regulators to address the privacy and security implications of emerging technologies. PrivacyCon will include brief privacy and security research presentations, along with expert panel discussions on the latest privacy and security challenges facing consumers. Whitehat researchers and academics will discuss the latest security vulnerabilities, explain how they can be exploited to harm consumers, and highlight research affecting consumer privacy and data security. During panel discussions, participants will discuss the research presentations and the latest policy initiatives to address consumer privacy and security, develop suggestions for further collaboration between researchers and policymakers, and highlight steps that companies and consumers can and should take to protect themselves and their data. 

"Call for Presentations: The FTC is seeking presentations on consumer privacy and security issues in the commercial sector. In particular, we are interested in hearing about research on topics such as:

• Connected health and fitness devices or applications
• Devices or services that incorporate voice-activation technology
• Smarthomes
• De-identification
• Connected vehicles
• Drones
• Edu-tech
• Big data and algorithms
• Consumers’ attitudes toward, and valuation of, privacy
• Costs and benefits of privacy-protective technology or behavior
• Economics of privacy and security
• Security by design techniques

We will provide more detail on the submission process by September 10th.

Please note that the FTC does not offer compensation of any kind to presenters or participants. Because we only have a very limited number of presentation slots, if there is enough interest, we may have an exhibit hall, where selected submitters can display posters and other information about their research. 

This event, including all presentations, will be available to the public via a live-stream and on our website in archived video and transcript form. 

Email questions to privacycon@ftc.gov(link sends e-mail).   

:: NTIA Multistakeholder Process: Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Multistakeholder Process: Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities

Date: August 28, 2015

"This web page provides details on the NTIA-convened multistakeholder process concerning collaboration between security researchers and software and system developers and owners to address security vulnerability disclosure.

"The first meeting will be on September 29, 2015 at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.  This meeting will be open to all interested parties. The meeting will be webcast, and NTIA will provide a dial-in conference bridge.  Pleasepre-register here to help NTIA plan logistics. Pre-registration is not required, but will assist NTIA in planning, and in determining space and webcast technology requirements.

Background:

"On March 19, 2015, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, working with the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force (IPTF), issued a Request for Comment to “identify substantive cybersecurity issues that affect the digital ecosystem and digital economic growth where broad consensus, coordinated action, and the development of best practices could substantially improve security for organizations and consumers.” Individuals and entities from across the commercial, academic, and civil society sectors filed comments. After reviewing these comments, NTIA announced that the first topic to be addressed would be collaboration on vulnerability research disclosure.

"The goal of this process will be to develop a broad, shared understanding of the overlapping interests between security researchers and the vendors and owners of products discovered to be vulnerable, and to establish a consensus about voluntary principles to promote better collaboration.  The question of how vulnerabilities can and should be disclosed will be a critical part of the discussion, as will how vendors receive and respond to this information. However, disclosure is only one aspect of successful collaboration.

Upcoming meetings:

September 29, 2015

Booth Auditorium at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way and Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, CA.
9am-3pm PDT
Dial-in information: to be announced.

:: NIST Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management Workshop, October 1-2, 2015

NIST Invites Industry to Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management Workshop, October 1-2, 2015

From NIST Tech Beat: September 1, 2015Contact: Evelyn Brown 

301-975-5661

"The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will host a workshop on industry best practices in cyber supply chain risk management at its Gaithersburg, Md., campus, October 1-2, 2015.

Credit: ©freshidea-Fotolia_com View hi-resolution image

"The two-day event will feature panels of industry professionals. Topics will include how cyber supply chain risk can affect organizations, proven strategies for managing those risks, existing standards and best practices, and practical guidance for enterprise risk governance.

"The Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management workshop is designed for a broad audience, including senior executives and those involved in enterprise risk management, supply chain management, acquisition or cybersecurity.

The goals of the workshop are to:

• share current research findings,
• validate the current findings and receive additional input from stakeholders, and
• gather input to inform future versions of the Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity and other cybersecurity and supply chain risk management initiatives.

NIST developed the framework, commonly referred to as the Cybersecurity Framework, as directed in Executive Order 13636 to assist critical infrastructure organizations to better manage and reduce their cybersecurity risks. NIST also released a companion document, Roadmap for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, which identifies supply chain risk management as a key focus area.

NIST has a Supply Chain Risk Management Program focused on securing the information and communications technology supply chain.

Registration information and the agenda are available here.

:: International Perspectives on Net Neutrality: A Policy Seminar :: Video :: Oxford Internet Institute

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Nerds 2.0.1: Networking the Nerds (Video)

   

This documentary is from 1998.

Tim Berners-Lee at CERN: Invention of the World Wide Web (Video)

IGF-USA 2015 Breakout - Maintaining Trust Online: Cybersecurity, Encryption, Backdoors, and Privacy (Video)

NIST Hosts 2015 Cybersecurity Innovation Forum, Sept. 9-11 in D.C.

From NIST Tech Beat: August 17, 2015

Contact: Evelyn Brown 
301-975-5661

"The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will host the 2015 Cybersecurity Innovation Forum on Sept. 9 to 11, 2015, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Credit: © ra2 studio/Fotolia.com

"At this annual meeting, government, industry and university representatives come together to focus on current, emerging and future challenges in areas such as trusted computing, security automation and information sharing. Leading cybersecurity researchers and executives from the cybersecurity industry will participate in the event.

"The forum’s four tracks—security automation, trusted computing, information sharing and cybersecurity research—will be interspersed with general sessions. Session topics include federal research and privacy, risk management and liability. The event will conclude with a review of the challenges and gaps discussed during the forum and next steps in collaborative efforts to resolve them.

"Presentations will cover Windows 10 security, cryptography, derived PIV credentials proof of concept, public safety cybersecurity, security and the Internet of Things, the NIST Privacy Risk Management Framework and augmenting Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) practices with the Cybersecurity Framework.

"The forum also will feature demonstrations and an industry expo on Sept. 9 and 10.

"The agenda is available online. Register for the 2015 Cybersecurity Innovation Forum at: https://www.fbcinc.com/e/cif/attendeereg.aspx.

:: NTIA / IANA Contract One Year Extension

An Update on the IANA Transition

August 17, 2015 by Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Lawrence E. Strickling

"The Internet’s global multistakeholder community has made tremendous progress in its work to develop a proposal to transition the historic stewardship role NTIA has played related to Internet’s domain name system (DNS).

"When we announced our intent in March 2014 to complete the privatization of the DNS, we noted that the base period of our contract with ICANN to perform technical functions related to the DNS, known as the IANA functions, expired on September 30, 2015. However, it has become increasingly apparent over the last few months that the community needs time to complete its work, have the plan reviewed by the U.S. Government and then implement it if it is approved.

"Accordingly, in May we asked the groups developing the transition documents how long it would take to finish and implement their proposals.  After factoring in time for public comment, U.S. Government evaluation and implementation of the proposals, the community estimated it could take until at least September 2016 to complete this process. In response to their feedback, we informed Congress on Friday that we plan to extend our IANA contract with ICANN for one year to September 30, 2016. Beyond 2016, we have options to extend the contract for up to three additional years if needed.

"This one-year extension will provide the community with the time it needs to finish its work. The groups are already far along in planning the IANA transition and are currently taking comments on their IANA transition proposals. As we indicated in a recent Federal Register notice, we encourage all interested stakeholders to engage and weigh in on the proposals.

"In preparation for the implementation phase of the IANA stewardship transition, NTIA also asked Verisign and ICANN to submit a proposal detailing how best to remove NTIA’s administrative role associated with root zone management, which the groups working on the transition were not asked to address. We asked Verisign and ICANN to submit a proposal detailing how best to do this in a manner that maintains the security, stability and resiliency of the DNS. Under the current root zone management system, Verisign edits and distributes the root zone file after it has received authorization to do so from NTIA. Verisign and ICANN have developed a proposal that outlines a technical plan and testing regime for phasing out the largely clerical role NTIA currently plays in this process. The testing will occur in a parallel environment that will not disrupt the current operation of the root zone management system.

"These developments will help ensure that the IANA transition will be done in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the DNS.

:: FTC Start with Security Conference San Francisco

FTC Start with Security Conference San Francisco
 SEP 9, 201510:00AM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HASTINGS COLLEGE OF THE LAWAlumni Reception Center, 200 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102 | Directions & Nearby

EVENT DESCRIPTION

"The FTC's first “Start With Security” conference is scheduled for September 9, 2015, in San Francisco, and is co-sponsored by the University of California Hastings College of the Law. It is part of a business education initiative designed to provide companies with practical resources to help them implement effective data security strategies.

"Aimed at start-ups and developers, this event will bring together experts to provide information on security by design, common security vulnerabilities, strategies for secure development, and vulnerability response. "Start with Security" will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is necessary. Lunch is provided. This event will be webcast. Check this page on the day of the event for details.

"The conference series is part of the agency’s longstanding efforts to provide businesses with guidance about how to put effective security in place.

♪ Whether Smart City engaged in prohibited Wi-Fi blocking

In re Smart City Holdings, Dkt. EB-SED-15-00018248, Order (Aug. 18, 2015)

"The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission has entered into a Consent Decree to resolve its investigation into whether Smart City Holdings, LLC, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Smart City Networks, LP, and Smart City Solutions LLC (collectively, Smart City) engaged in prohibited Wi-Fi blocking by interfering with and disabling Wi-Fi networks established by consumers at several conference facilities where Smart City operates or manages the facility’s Wi-Fi network. To settle this matter, Smart City (i) admits that it prevented certain Wi-Fi users at these locations from establishing or maintaining a Wi-Fi network independent of Smart City’s network, (ii) will implement a compliance plan under which it commits to not engage in Wi-Fi blocking, and (iii) agrees to pay a $750,000 civil penalty."

"On June 24, 2014, the Commission received an informal complaint from a company that provides equipment that enabled users to establish hotspots, marketing its use as an alternative to paying forWi-Fi service that may otherwise be available to consumers at a venue. The complaint charged that its customers could not connect to the Internet using the complainant’s equipment at several venues where Smart City operates or manages the Wi-Fi access.2 In response to the Bureau’s investigation, Smart City provided information revealing that it automatically blocked certain Wi-Fi users at several venues where it managed or operated the Wi-Fi access to prevent such these users from establishing or maintaining a Wi-Fi network independent of Smart City’s network. No evidence exists that the Wi-Fi blocking occurred in response to a specifically identified threat to the security of the Smart City network or the network’s users."

"After reviewing the terms of the Consent Decree and evaluating the facts before us, we find that the public interest would be served by adopting the Consent Decree and terminating the referenced investigation regarding Smart City’s compliance with Section 333 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (Act)."

SMART CITY HOLDINGS, LLC, AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, SMART CITY NETWORKS, LP, AND SMART CITY SOLUTIONS LLC. Adopted a Consent Decree and terminated the investigation. Action by: Chief, Enforcement Bureau. Adopted: 08/17/2015 by Order/Consent Decree. (DA No. 15-917). EB   DA-15-917A1.docx  DA-15-917A1.pdf