House panel launches probe of government contracts with identity verification company ID.me

The committee twice cited CyberScoop reporting on the firm.

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Lawmakers say Colonial Pipeline’s refusal to discuss ransom undermines US efforts

U.S. lawmakers are demanding to know whether Colonial Pipeline paid a ransom to hackers who forced the company to shut down operations for days. Following a Monday briefing with Colonial Pipeline, the heads of the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Reform committees said the company’s refusal to share information on any ransom payment hindered their ability to craft legislation to address the ransomware problem. Bloomberg News reported that Colonial Pipeline, which says it supplies 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast, paid cybercriminals nearly $5 million to recover their computer systems. “We’re disappointed that the company refused to share any specific information regarding the reported payment of ransom during today’s briefing,” Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Carolyn Maloney of New York said in a statement. “In order for Congress to legislate effectively on ransomware, we need this information.” When contacted by CyberScoop on Tuesday, a […]

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Lawmakers call for cyber leadership as they introduce bill that would create White House post

After then-national security adviser John Bolton eliminated the position of White House cybersecurity coordinator in the spring of 2018, Democratic lawmakers quickly introduced a bill to restore the position, arguing that it was crucial for the White House to show leadership on the issue. The bill never went anywhere. But two years later, the push for creating a top White House cybersecurity post is gaining fresh traction, with support from Republicans. A bipartisan group of House members on Thursday introduced new legislation that would create a “national cyber director” at the White House. The director would serve a similar role to the coordinator, but have more authority to examine cybersecurity budgets and oversee national incident response. Instituting a national cyber director was a key recommendation put forth by the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which released a report in March arguing for big changes to U.S. cybersecurity policy. Two leading members […]

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