November 4 2022

This Week in Washington 

• The Hill: Ukraine is counting on more Western technological support as its war against Russia drags on, with Microsoft pledging Thursday to extend its backing for Kyiv’s “extraordinary” wartime innovation through the end of next year. Microsoft’s financial commitment of more than $400 million enables the Ukraine government and other organizations to continue using the Microsoft cloud and its public data centers across Europe.
• Government Technology: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a strategic plan — a first in CISA’s four-year history. The 2023-2025 road map outlines four goals to guide the young organization as it works to grow and to push the nation into a higher level of cybersecurity.
• GCN: Government employees were the target of almost half of all phishing attacks last year and are at risk of having their credentials stolen in those attacks, according to a new report.
• VICE: On Monday, the National Labor Relations Board’s top lawyer issued a new memo announcing she would be pushing for the organization to crack down on electronic surveillance and automated management practices that interfere with workers’ labor rights.
• CNN: US financial institutions reported more than $1 billion in potential ransomware-related payments in 2021 — more than double the amount from the previous year and the most ever reported, according to Treasury Department data shared exclusively with CNN.
• FedScoop: The Cyber Safety Review Board isn’t waiting for a new incident to issue a second report making actionable cybersecurity recommendations to government, industry and academia, according to DHS Under Secretary and Board Chair Rob Silvers.
• The 19th: The federal government is investing $65 billion in expanding broadband, and two-thirds of that money will be directed toward programs that encourage better hiring and retention practices for women and people of color, who have been severely underrepresented in the field.

Article Summary

• Axios: Although nearly 4,000 companies have made pledges to reduce their emissions, many lack the skilled workers needed to meet those goals, Microsoft president Brad Smith tells Axios.
• GCN: New federal funding to encourage the building of domestic chip-making facilities have state and local officials excited about nurturing an ecosystem around new factories to spawn more opportunities for tech businesses and workers.
• VOX: Today, tools like drones, digital recorders, and artificial intelligence are helping us listen to the sounds of nature in unprecedented ways, transforming the world of scientific research and raising a tantalizing prospect: Someday soon, computers might allow us to talk to animals.
• CBS8: A 10,000-mile broadband network would deliver high-speed internet service to all Californians. The new project could help underserved communities in San Diego.

Featured Podcast

The Security Podcasts

• Podcast on Cybersecurity Workforce Development
  In this episode of The Security Podcasts, Lisa Tetrault, Senior Director of Global Security Operations at Arctic Wolf, talks specific examples of how cybersecurity talent can leverage industry connections to break into the cyber field; the power of mentorship in cybersecurity; and advice for professionals looking to pivot to IT security. (Closing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap – November 2, 2022)