Congress Votes to Create Federal Cybersecurity Agency

The United States House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass legislation creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The CISA Act (H.R. 3359), which passed the Senate in October and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, would reorganize DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) into a new agency and prioritize its mission as the Federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security.

“Today’s vote is a significant step to stand up a federal government cybersecurity agency,” said Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen. “The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we need to ensure we’re properly positioned to defend America’s infrastructure from threats digital and physical.  It was time to reorganize and operationalize NPPD into the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.  I thank Chairman Michael McCaul and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson for recognizing our critical role and both starting and completing this transformation in the House of Representatives.  I also thank Chairman Ron Johnson and Ranking Member Claire McCaskill for their tireless support of the CISA Act in the Senate.”

Biggest phish in the sea? These banks are growing targets

Phishing is the one cybersecurity issue that never seems to go away.

Despite the repeated warnings and efforts at raising customer awareness, cyberthieves continue to trick users with fake emails resembling legitimate ones, intended to direct them to a link where thieves can steal their credentials.

Perversely, cybercriminals are in fact exploiting that awareness, said Adrien Gendre, CEO of Vade Secure North America, which just released a report on phishing attempts via spoof emails in the third quarter.