Cybersecurity News

As March Madness nears its end, it seems there are a few more notable names to add to the bracket of organizations exploited by cyber attacks this month.

With a recent attack on security giant RSA, the AFP reported that hackers were able to access information and steal data from the organization’s SecurID two-factor authentication products that could potentially lead to breaches against RSA’s clients, including the US government and defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

Meanwhile, across the pond last week, we learned of a cyber attack on the European Union (EU) just one day before an international leaders’ summit on economic reform was scheduled to begin in Brussels.

According to CNN, the attacks targeted the EU Commission, the group’s “executive arm,” though a spokesperson for the EU would “not specify what parts of the Information Technology infrastructure had been attacked or who they suspected was behind it.”

But the vulnerabilities in cyberspace could soon be reaching outer space, as well.  According to the AFP, an audit of NASA’s computer networks was released this week and reveals that the space agency has several holes on its system that could be exploited by hackers on the Internet.

“Specifically, six computer servers associated with IT assets that control spacecraft and contain critical data had vulnerabilities that would allow a remote attacker to take control of or render them unavailable,” reported NASA inspector general Paul Martin in the audit.

But according to CNET, this is not the first time that NASA has been vulnerable to attacks, noting, “In January 2009, attackers stole 22 gigabytes of export-restricted data from a Jet Propulsion Laboratory computer system.”

And as the IT gurus work to patch organization holes, we have to wonder: Mission impossible?

If you haven’t given up hope, check out the following cybersecurity news headlines:

Cybersecurity: Continued attention needed to protect nation’s critical infrastructure (GAO.gov)

US vulnerable to foreign cyberwarfare (UPI)

Pentagon seeks $3.2 billion for revised cyber budget (National Journal)

Senators start talks on larger cybersecurity bill (FedComputerWeek)

Report: Cyber-attacks against federal agencies up 40 percent (The Hill)

Critical US infrastructure at risk of cyber attack, experts warn (Fox News)

Cyber Command’s strategy becomes more clear (FedComputerWeek)

DoD works with industry on automated network intrusion defense system (InfoSecurity)

US should take stronger stance to protect infrastructure, experts say (Defense Systems)

Defense restores access to blocked websites (NextGov)

Pentagon commander: US unprepared to face cyber attacks (Huffington Post)

Virtual war a real threat (Los Angeles Times)

Bridging the skills gap in information security (SC Magazine)

Experts paint grim picture of infosec readiness (GovInfoSecurity)

Military’s cyber defense ability graded (Defense Systems)

Rep. Thornberry holds hearing on US CyberCom budget (Military & Aerospace Electronics)

‘Investing in people is key’ at Cyber Command (Defense.gov)

Are smart phones tops on hacker hit lists? (Defense Systems)

Most companies keeping mum on data breaches (Huffington Post)

Man allegedly used hacking in international securities fraud scheme (BusinessWeek)

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES:

London Olympic Games to create 5,000 new IT jobs (ComputerWeekly)

In Iran, new attack escalates ongoing cyberconflict (ComputerWorld)

S. Korea to tighten security of gov’t computer networks against DDoS attack (Yonhap)

Australian PM’s computer hacked: report (AFP)

Czech carbon registry opens up after two-month cyber attack lay-off (Cryptzone)

UK firms warned over cyber attack risk (Press Association)

Australia should appoint cybersecurity czar (ComputerWorld)

INDUSTRY NEWS:

Yahoo offers cookie opt-out button ahead of new EU law (CIO)

Facebook traffic takes strange detour through China (Forbes)

Utilities worry about smart meter cybersecurity, investments in solutions to hit $1.6B (TreeHugger)