Identity Authentication

Interior faces 'disturbing' cyber risks due to cracked passwords and vulnerable assets

Recent reports reveal the Department of Interior is not enforcing multifactor authentication for its high-value assets and has a range of other significant cybersecurity risks.

  • By Chris Riotta

SSA says it will offer data matches to government benefit programs

The Social Security Administration offers data validation services for the financial services sector. It now says it plans to offer similar verification services to government benefit programs.

  • By Natalie Alms

Some states may be barring the door to unemployment benefits

Despite Labor Department guidelines, nine states are requiring UI applicants to verify their identity before submitting applications.

  • By Natalie Alms

NIST, CISA finalizing guidance for identity and access management post-SolarWinds

The epic intrusion campaign has turned up the brights on vendors providing authentication services, but agencies will still need to be actively engaged for effective implementation.

  • By Mariam Baksh

Cross-agency group explores where government should go next with identity verification

A new report and simulation tool to help officials identify trade-off considerations for different methods.

  • By Natalie Alms

Postal Service should 'act swiftly' to scale up identity services, IG says

USPS is working with the General Services Administration on more in-person options for Login.gov, according to a new whitepaper from the U.S. Postal Service's Inspector General.

  • By Natalie Alms

The Pentagon wants to prevent personnel data tracking, breaches

The Defense Department's innovation shop is looking for commercial solutions that can help better protect personnel data.

  • By Lauren C. Williams

IRS leader explains why the IRS went to ID.me 

The agency needs to be able to identity proof online users at a certain level to be able to offer a full menu of online services, Rettig told lawmakers.

  • By Natalie Alms

Coming ID order should focus on digital credentials, say trade groups

Standards for mobile driver's licenses top the wish list of groups looking to steer the direction of the administration’s action on combating identity theft and fraud.

  • By Adam Mazmanian

Army plans ICAM rethink to support unified network operations

To make mobile device use more secure, the Army is preparing a new identity and access requirements as it adopts zero trust security principles.

  • By Lauren C. Williams

White House embeds cyber EO in FISMA reporting

Federal agencies will be reporting on zero-trust adoption and automation efforts in their annual cybersecurity reports to the Office of Management and Budget.

  • By Adam Mazmanian

Funding challenges hamper cyber EO compliance, CIOs say

A group of agency CIOs shared their biggest obstacles in meeting a series of aggressive deadlines and modernization goals of the Biden administration's sweeping cybersecurity executive order.

  • By Chris Riotta

GSA looks to scale Login.gov with TMF award

The General Service Administration plans to scale up the Login.gov program to make digital identity verification a more equitable and secure practice after it was awarded nearly $187 million through the Technology Modernization Fund.

  • By Chris Riotta

House reconciliation bill includes nearly $800 million for CISA

The funding supports the implementation of President Joe Biden's May executive order on cybersecurity and workforce development.

  • By Adam Mazmanian
Featured eBooks

Digital ID left out of infrastructure bill

A plan to get federal support and funding behind digital identity proofing as a way to combat benefits fraud wound up on the cutting-room floor as the Senate crafted its $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.

  • By Adam Mazmanian

Agency zero trust does not start from point zero

The good news is that consistent IT policy spanning previous presidential administrations has allowed the federal government to slowly put the necessary building blocks in place for the inevitable zero trust architecture journey.

  • By Joe Stuntz and Russ Ficken

CISA launches new initiative to combat ransomware

The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) will allow the federal government and corporate partners share information to combat ransomware.

  • By Chris Riotta

CISA predicts cyber EO will drive progress on zero trust

Most agencies are just getting started creating plans around zero trust, but tight deadlines featured in President Joe Biden's cybersecurity executive order and a wave of new guidance, may speed up implementation across the entire government.

  • By Chris Riotta

VA watchdog warns of security risks from undocumented PIV cards

A new report warns contracting officers at the Veterans Health Administration are failing to comply with agency and federal guidelines ensuring contractor personnel return personal identity verification (PIV) cards after employment.

  • By Chris Riotta

Creating a more resilient American infrastructure

With the necessary reforms to modernize federal IT now clearer, it's critical to call out that the government has far too long relied on antiquated technologies that cannot thwart today's stealthy and persistent adversaries.

  • By Shawn Henry

White House tees up cyber labeling policy

A 2020 law could provide some legal cover for executive orders regulating software and IoT cybersecurity, but new legislation could be required.

  • By Adam Mazmanian