Content by Dan Gunderman

Russia-Ukraine Updates: Cybersecurity News Amid Conflict

Dan Gunderman , Devon Warren-Kachelein  •  March 28, 2022

Cyber experts recommend security teams stay on high alert in protecting enterprise networks as Russia launches cyberattacks against Ukraine, atop its ground invasion. This thread serves as a comprehensive security-related news thread for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

US, EU Agree to a New Data-Sharing Framework

Dan Gunderman  •  March 25, 2022

As President Joe Biden visits Europe this week, the U.S. and the European Commission announced they have agreed in principle to a new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework. Officials say it will foster cross-border data flows and address concerns raised by the EU Court of Justice in 2020.

Ukrainian IT Official: Russian Cyberattacks Have Continued

Dan Gunderman  •  March 24, 2022

IT officials from Ukraine continue to call out alleged Russian cyberattacks. This comes as hacktivists have taken matters into their own hands in the digital underground. Also: NATO pledges additional cyber support, while President Joe Biden urges U.S. governors to bolster defenses.

Illicit Crypto Activity Detected By US Treasury Department

Dan Gunderman  •  March 21, 2022

Prospects of Russia reviving its economy via cryptocurrency remain limited, officials have said, but the U.S. Treasury Department is reportedly warning that it has detected a rise in the use of digital assets for illicit transactions, including after Feb. 24, when the war began.

Russia Says It's Seen 'Unprecedented' Level of Cyberattacks

Dan Gunderman  •  March 18, 2022

As the Ukrainian military resists Russian advances toward its major population centers, its IT security teams are contending with record cyber incidents - although the same is true of their eastern neighbors, with Russia reporting "unprecedented" cyberattacks on its networks.

Ukrainian Cyber Official Offers Update on 'IT Army'

Dan Gunderman  •  March 16, 2022

War in Ukraine continues into its third week, and Russia is closing in on major Ukrainian cities, upping its targeting of civilian infrastructure. In the U.S., cybersecurity officials continue to urge a "Shields Up" approach - while the digital conflict has devolved deeply into the underground.

Senators Request Briefing on Infrastructure Cybersecurity

Dan Gunderman  •  March 15, 2022

With the ground war worsening in Ukraine, lawmakers in the U.S. are seeking guidance from DHS on ways to continue fortifying U.S. cyber defense. The move comes as some cyber experts predict an ultimate escalation in Russia's malicious cyber activity targeting Ukraine or NATO member networks.

Anonymous Reportedly Hacks Russian Censorship Agency

Dan Gunderman  •  March 11, 2022

International hacking collective Anonymous on Thursday announced that it has hacked the Russian censorship agency known as Roskomnadzor. The group released 364,000 files it says show intensified censorship around the perception of the Ukraine invasion, which began in late February.

US Congress Passes Cyber Incident Reporting Mandate

Dan Gunderman  •  March 11, 2022

After months of political infighting, a landmark cybersecurity provision requiring critical infrastructure providers to report security incidents and ransom payments has passed both chambers of Congress and now heads to President Joe Biden's desk. The mandate is part of an omnibus spending bill.

President Joe Biden Signs Executive Order on Cryptocurrency

Dan Gunderman  •  March 9, 2022

As expected, President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order on cryptocurrency that tackles consumer protection, financial stability, national security and climate risks. The administration calls it the first whole-of-government strategy to rein in cryptocurrencies.

Reports: White House Set to Issue Executive Order on Crypto

Dan Gunderman  •  March 8, 2022

President Joe Biden is expected to outline a whole-of-government approach to reining in cryptocurrencies, which have been criticized for lax cybersecurity measures. Media reports say the administration will announce an executive order on crypto this week, to align the U.S. with global allies.

US Officials Push Collaboration, AML Controls for Crypto

Dan Gunderman  •  March 4, 2022

U.S. officials say that while it would be nearly impossible for Russia to "flip the switch" and convert to cryptocurrency to stabilize its sanctioned economy, they caution that Russian elites and entities may yet try to skirt the measures by transferring and obfuscating funds across the blockchain.

US Senators Express Concern Over Russian Use of Crypto

Dan Gunderman  •  March 3, 2022

Key financial members of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen regarding potential sanctions evasions and the department's ability to police crypto assets, as adversarial countries have previously leveraged them to fund weapons programs and for cash infusion.

US Senate Passes Incident Reporting, FISMA Update Bill

Dan Gunderman  •  March 2, 2022

Amid escalating violence in Ukraine and sanctions meant to hobble Moscow, the Senate has passed a landmark cybersecurity package that bundles three substantial measures - mandatory incident reporting for critical infrastructure, an update to federal IT security strategy, and FedRAMP authorization.

US Officials Tracking Russian Cyberattack Escalation Risk

Dan Gunderman  •  March 1, 2022

Amid what is now a prolonged struggle in Ukraine, cybersecurity officials in the U.S. and European Union have expressed some surprise over Russia's lack of pervasive cyber strikes to date. But they warn that these actions could follow as its economy reels from sanctions.