Author Archive
Chris Riotta
Staff Reporter, Nextgov/FCW
Chris Riotta is a staff reporter at Nextgov/FCW covering government procurement and technology policy. Chris joined FCW after covering U.S. politics for three years at The Independent. He earned his master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where he served as 2021 class president.
Cybersecurity
Third-party contractor software exploited in attack on HHS data
An official with the Department of Health and Human Services said attackers gained access to data by exploiting a major vulnerability found in the popular MOVEit file transfer service.
- By Chris Riotta
Digital Government
Can NIH help drive health data access?
The National Institutes of Health is aiming to address challenges with public health data interoperability by setting new data-sharing expectations.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
Critical cyber threats persist on federal networks despite recent directives
Hundreds of devices on federal networks remain in apparent violation of a recent Binding Operational Directive from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, according to a new report.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
White House unveils fiscal 2025 cybersecurity investment priorities
The administration is urging agencies to align their fiscal 2025 budget requests with recent guidance that prioritizes strengthening federal networks and systems against cyber intrusions.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
CISA to launch new cyber supply chain resource hub
The new resource center will allow federal agencies and industry stakeholders to get their hands on practical tools to help meet new cyber supply chain risk management.
- By Chris Riotta
Digital Government
NIST launches new working group to tackle AI risks
The new initiative will bring together technical experts from across the public and private sectors to explore the benefits and challenges associated with generative artificial intelligence.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
NIST wants to help prevent a major cyberattack on the water sector
The National Institute of Standards and Technology aims to provide a practical guide to address unique cyber challenges impacting America’s complex water systems.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
Justice Department launches new unit to combat cyber threats
The National Security Cyber Section will work to "increase the scale and speed of disruption campaigns and prosecutions” against cybercriminals, an official said this week.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
Vacant White House cyber post draws concern amid global software breach
In the aftermath of a global cyberattack exposing personal data on millions of Americans, calls are growing for the White House to fill the top slot at the Office of the National Cyber Director.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
No 'systemic risk' to government networks from latest breach, CISA says
The nation’s cyber defense agency confirmed it was providing assistance to several federal agencies that have been impacted in an apparent global cyberattack.
- By Chris Riotta
Congress
New report identifies over $100B in potential government services savings
The government’s overlapping, fragmented and duplicative services are costing billions of dollars annually, a Government Accountability Office report claims.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
CISA's new directive targets devices that can be configured over public internet
The nation’s cyber defense agency is requiring all federal civilian agencies to remove such devices from their networks.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
New bill would give CISA greater cyber outreach responsibilities
The Cybersecurity Awareness Act would direct the agency to launch a new public-private campaign promoting cyber best practices across small businesses and underserved communities.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
Industry calls for clarity after White House extends software security form deadline
Software vendors praised a decision from the Office of Management and Budget to extend a deadline for agencies to collect self-attestation forms, though questions remain about what comes next.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
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
Cybersecurity
Ransomware gang exploits critical vulnerability in popular file transfer software
A cybersecurity advisory issued Wednesday said that a major ransomware group had successfully exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in Progress Software’s MOVEit software.
- By Chris Riotta
Cybersecurity
Public sector apps face widespread security challenges, report reveals
A new study found alarming security vulnerabilities across the vast majority of public applications over the last year.
- By Chris Riotta
People
NIST unveils new leadership team to drive semiconductor innovation
The agency’s CHIPS Research and Development Office aims to advance U.S. research and development efforts and "ensure America’s global leadership" in the semiconductor sector, officials said.
- By Chris Riotta
Digital Government
DHS spearheads effort to develop next-gen emergency response vehicle
Officials held up the H2Rescue as an example of sustainable, emerging technologies that can be developed and deployed by leveraging interagency and public-private partnerships.
- By Chris Riotta
Digital Government
NASA puts error data to use to speed up tsunami detection
The nation’s space agency is leveraging emerging technologies that could potentially provide up to an hour of advance notice of an incoming tsunami to coastal communities.
- By Chris Riotta