Cybersecurity and Technology
The Pentagon's top research agency thinks it has developed a new generation of technology that will make voting machines, medical databases and other critical digital systems far more secure against hackers.
Now, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which helped invent GPS and the Internet, is launching a contest for ethical hackers to try to break into that technology before it goes public. DARPA is offering the hackers cash prizes for any flaws they find using a program called a "bug bounty."
FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday that foreign disinformation efforts against the U.S. "never stopped" after Russian actors used them on social media platforms during the 2016 elections.
The FBI chief also told lawmakers during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that malicious foreign influence campaigns are now targeting more than just elections.
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the US House of Representatives passed the TRACED Act to stop unwanted robocalls by a vote of 417-3. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would curb robocalls by implementing a nationwide caller authentication system, allowing consumers to block spam calls at no extra charge, and empowering the Federal Communications Commission to go after robocallers that break the law.
LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) hosted his congressional district's fourth-annual Congressional App Challenge and second-annual reception for the Challenge at Santa Monica College. Twenty-four students from thirteen high schools submitted seventeen apps for this year's competition. The winner. Julian Quevedo of Redondo Union High School, submitted an app entitled "dot-buddy." "dot-buddy" is a tool for students in marching band.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney raising concerns over an Axios report that 12 senior White House cybersecurity officials have left or have been forced out of their roles. These White House employees were charged with protecting the White House and President from hacking efforts. The weakening of their office, the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, could jeopardize national security.
In the letter, Mr. Lieu writes:
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) sent a letter to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney on Friday, obtained by Axios, asking the White House to explain the recent series of departures from various cybersecurity offices, as we reported earlier this week.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the House passed the SHIELD Act (Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for A Lasting Democracy Act). This comprehensive legislation will strengthen the resilience of our democracy and protect against foreign interference in America's elections, including by foreign governments.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced bicameral legislation that would create a voluntary cybersecurity certification program for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. "The Cyber Shield Act" will establish an advisory committee of cybersecurity experts from academia, industry, consumer advocates, government and the public to create cybersecurity benchmarks for IoT devices - such as baby monitors, home assistants, smart locks, cameras, cell phones, and laptops.
LAS VEGAS — Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) applauded the crowd of cybersecurity researchers uncovering dangerous bugs in voting machines and other election systems at a security conference here -- but he's in a bind about how to talk about election security with constituents.