The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has “heard very clearly” that it’s still too early to consider a full-fledged Version 2.0 update of the Cybersecurity Framework, said Kevin Stine, Computer Security Division manager-Security Outreach and Integration Group, during a framework development workshop Thursday. Industry stakeholders have told NIST major changes to the framework aren’t a good idea because NIST released the Version 1.0 framework only in February (see 1410140173). A White House official said Wednesday that he believed it was unlikely that major changes would be coming in the near future (see 1410290046). The NIST workshop and comments submitted to the agency have shown there’s “very strong” awareness of the framework in all critical infrastructure sectors but all stakeholders should continue to raise awareness, Stine said.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has “heard very clearly” that it’s still too early to consider a full-fledged Version 2.0 update of the Cybersecurity Framework, said Kevin Stine, Computer Security Division manager-Security Outreach and Integration Group, during a framework development workshop Thursday. Industry stakeholders have told NIST major changes to the framework aren’t a good idea because NIST released the Version 1.0 framework only in February (see 1410140173). A White House official said Wednesday that he believed it was unlikely that major changes would be coming in the near future (see 1410290046). The NIST workshop and comments submitted to the agency have shown there’s “very strong” awareness of the framework in all critical infrastructure sectors but all stakeholders should continue to raise awareness, Stine said.
President Barack Obama recently extended the national emergency that facilitates sanctions against Sudan (here). Executive Order 13067, issued in 1997 by then President Bill Clinton, authorizes the Treasury Department to block property of those tied to the conflict in Sudan. The national emergency complies with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Congress also expanded the reach of the sanctions against Sudan with the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006. The country continues to pose a national security and foreign policy threat to the U.S., said Obama on Oct. 24. Obama extended the national emergency for one year.
Multiple state agencies say they believe FirstNet should give maximum possible latitude to the states to develop localized definitions for their segments of the planned national public safety broadband network (PSBN) but also encouraged FirstNet to adopt a federal standard for its request for proposals (RFP) process. Telcos and industry groups provided mixed opinions on both issues. FirstNet had sought comment from stakeholders on its proposed interpretations of the 2012 Spectrum Act, which established FirstNet to create a nationwide PSBN, to inform forthcoming RFPs and the creation of network rules and policies.
President Barack Obama extended a national emergency, initially declared in 2006 through Executive Order 13413 (here), that provides the Treasury Department authority to sanction a wide range of individuals involved in ongoing turmoil in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Obama notified Congress that the national emergency will be extended, although he did not include an expiration date in that notification. Executive Order 13413 cast a wide net over individuals in the DRC responsible for a number of atrocities, targeting in particular foreign individuals and groups operating in the DRC. The order gave Treasury the right to block the transfer of funds associated with sanctioned individuals or groups that are in the U.S., or in control of a U.S. person, or will be in the future.
APCO and the National Emergency Number Association urged the FCC to require that texts to 911 contain information allowing 911 call centers to locate the sender, as soon as practical. But both public safety groups also recognized in filings that short message service (SMS) texts are not the wave of the future and cautioned that the FCC should make allowances for the development of next-generation 911 networks.
APCO and the National Emergency Number Association urged the FCC to require that texts to 911 contain information allowing 911 call centers to locate the sender, as soon as practical. But both public safety groups also recognized in filings that short message service (SMS) texts are not the wave of the future and cautioned that the FCC should make allowances for the development of next-generation 911 networks.
Encryption of mobile phones and other electronic devices could exacerbate problems for law enforcement when officials attempt to access data on those devices during court-ordered investigations, said FBI Director James Comey. He urged companies like Apple and Google that are operating in the communications and data space to rethink their approach to building default encryption into their devices. He also backed an update to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to require all telecom companies to comply with federal investigations.
Encryption of mobile phones and other electronic devices could exacerbate problems for law enforcement when officials attempt to access data on those devices during court-ordered investigations, said FBI Director James Comey. He urged companies like Apple and Google that are operating in the communications and data space to rethink their approach to building default encryption into their devices. He also backed an update to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) to require all telecom companies to comply with federal investigations.
President Barack Obama extended a two-decade old authority to sanction Colombian narcotics traffickers. The White House said the move is in accordance with the National Emergencies Act, and will be renewed for one year. The 1995 executive order continues to block the property and assets of a broad range of people associated with narcotics trafficking to the U.S. (here).