Tag Archive for: Providing

Providing A Cyber Capability Focus > Space Operations Command (SpOC) > Article Display

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PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. —  The growing importance of cyber operations within the U.S. Space Force is driving a required focus on space systems at the Special Access Program level, explained Mr. David Wilcox, Space Operations Command’s Cyber Warfare Mission Area team chief. “Recognition of this gap lead to the stand-up of a Branch specifically focused on this… and I was chosen as the lead.”

As the Cyber Warfare Branch chief, Wilcox is the subject matter expert supporting SpOC’s cyberspace secure-and-defend operations for USSF missions. “Specifically, I provide subject matter expertise for integration of secure-and-defend capabilities on Special Access Program, and lead efforts for providing cyber-enabled space operations capabilities for combat power projection.”

The importance and criticality of SpOC’s cyberspace secure-and-defend operations has only increased over time. Wilcox explains, “…I know the impact of my job for SpOC and the USSF is critical to allowing our service to become a leader in cyberspace operations in support of space operations.  Our team, just with SpOC, has led USSF efforts to drive Commanders and Senior Leaders to understand the impact cyberspace risks have on total mission risk as we present our capabilities and forces in support of Combatant Commands around the globe.”

Leading a team that delivers such consequential capabilities to the security of the nation provides Wilcox a satisfaction that comes from knowing what he does, day-in day-out, is crucial and far-reaching.

Wilcox’s tenure as a Department of Defense civilian employee started with the now deactivated Air Force Space Command, and after 13 years developed into his current role which came about with senior leaders’ realization of the importance of cyber operations as part of the newly formed USSF.

“I am very satisfied with the work I do in trying to achieve the end state for SpOC and the USSF,” said Wilcox. “With the stand-up of the USSF, I feel honored to be part of something that will last years into the future and ensure and maintain access to space resources and capabilities for our nation and our Allies.”

Wilcox, an integral…

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Ransomware gang targets nonprofit providing clean water to world’s poorest

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Water for People, a nonprofit that aims to improve access to clean water for people whose health is threatened by a lack of it for drinking and sanitation, is the latest organization to have been hit by ransomware criminals.

The ransomware-as-a-service gang Medusa listed Water for People on its darknet site Thursday night, threatening to publish stolen information unless the nonprofit pays a $300,000 extortion fee.

A Water for People spokesperson told Recorded Future News: “The accessed data predates 2021, did not compromise our financial systems and no business operations were impacted. We’re working with top incident response firms, as well as our insurance company and hardening our systems with our security team to prevent future incidents.”

The attack follows the nonprofit receiving a $15 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. There is no evidence that Water for People was specifically targeted because of this donation.

The organization operates in nine different countries, from Guatemala and Honduras in Latin America, to Mozambique in Africa and to India, and aims to improve water access for more than 200 million people over the next eight years.

“While the recent cyber attack from Medusa Locker Ransomware has not impacted our important work fighting the global water crisis and equipping communities with lasting access to clean water and sanitation services, it does reflect that even non-profits like ours are in the cross-hairs of these threat actors. We attempted good-faith negotiations that led nowhere,” the spokesperson added.

It is not the first time the Medusa gang’s activities have impacted an organization associated with water provision, although the gang and its affiliates appear to work opportunistically, according to new analysis by Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42.

Last year, an Italian company that provides drinking water to nearly half a million people was hit by the gang.

Back in 2021, U.S. law enforcement agencies said ransomware gangs in general had hit five water and wastewater treatment facilities in the country — not including three other widely reported cyberattacks on water utilities.

Despite…

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Generative AI providing fuel for hackers, DISA Director Skinner says

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BALTIMORE — Generative artificial intelligence, software capable of carrying a convincing, human-like conversation or crafting content like computer code with little prompting, will make hackers more sophisticated, ultimately raising the bar for U.S. safeguards, according to the leader of the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Director Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner said the technology is one of the most disruptive developments he’s seen in a long time, and has serious security implications. A similar warning was issued by the National Security Agency’s cybersecurity boss, Rob Joyce, earlier this year.

“Those who harness that, and can understand how to best leverage it, but also how to best protect against it, are going to be the ones who have the high ground,” Skinner said May 2 at the AFCEA TechNet Cyber conference in Baltimore. “We in this room are thinking about how this applies to cybersecurity. How does it apply to intelligence? How does it apply to our warfighting capabilities?”

Generative AI in recent months was popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which accrued more than 1 million users within a week of its launch. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, in March told ABC News he worries about how these models could be used for widespread disinformation and “could be used for offensive cyberattacks.”

US Air Force shifting hundreds of computer apps to the cloud

Skinner on Tuesday predicted generative AI would not be a significant tool for “high-end adversaries.” Rather, the tech “is going to help a whole bunch of other individuals get up to that level in a much faster manner.”

“So how do we have the protective systems, the security and the network capabilities to support protecting that data and support our folks?” he said.

The U.S. considers China and Russia top-tier threats in the virtual world. Other foes include Iran and North Korea, according to the Biden administration’s cybersecurity strategy, which promised the use of all instruments of national power to fend off cyber misbehavior.

Mastery of AI is thought key to enduring international competitiveness in defense, finance and other sectors. At least 685 AI projects, including several tied to major weapons…

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iWatchTexas anonymous tip service now providing school safety feature

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The Texas Department of Public Safety app allows parents, teachers and students to be proactive in reporting potential threats.

MIDLAND, Texas — iWatchTexas is a service provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and it has an app that’s been around for four years.

Now, it also has a school safety extension that is relatively new, allowing parents, students and teachers to report problems with a proactive approach.

Sergeant Steven Blanco with Texas DPS is a big supporter of the app.

“The app is actually available to anybody,” Blanco said. “So, whenever we go to schools, myself or troopers go to schools, we always advocate for teachers, parents, school staff, to download the app. So, it is available on iPhone and Android.”

When it comes to why threats in schools are becoming prevalent, Blanco said it is a classic case of copycats.

“And that continues every time there is an active shooter-type event,” Blanco said. “There are copycat-type individuals who make threats to scare the public for a variety of reasons and those threats are taken very seriously, and those persons who make those threats are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The tips on the app are anonymous, and they will help keep schools safe and secure by alerting the appropriate personnel of any potential threats.

“I encourage everyone to download the iWatchTexas app, because everyone in our community – parents, teachers, the students – everyone in our community are gatekeepers for our community,” Blanco said. “We are the gatekeepers of our community. So, we always say if you see something, say something.”

For more information on how you can get involved, visit iwatchtx.org. 

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