NTSC’s Technology Security News Roundup (12-19-16)
Chairman Tom Wheeler to Resign from FCC on January 20
Tom Wheeler, whose tenure as chairman was most defined by his support of net neutrality, will resign from the FCC on January 20. Turning in his resignation after months of speculation about whether he would leave, Wheeler’s absence as a Democrat now creates a GOP majority at the FCC. This vacuum opens the possibility of Republicans reversing many regulations that Wheeler helped pass since his tenure began in 2013.
Data Breach Exposes One Billion Yahoo Email Accounts
A data breach that occurred in 2013 exposed personal information related to one billion Yahoo email accounts. According to a company press release, Yahoo said law enforcement just recently presented evidence to the company that indicated the breach. The New York Times said, “The newly disclosed 2013 attack involved sensitive user information, including names, telephone numbers, dates of birth, encrypted passwords and unencrypted security questions that could be used to reset a password.” Various media outlets reported that Yahoo did not proactively address many important security concerns despite experiencing previous significant data breaches.
Cybersecurity Must Accompany Mandatory Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication, According to Lawmakers
Starting in 2017, the United States Department of Transportation wants mandatory vehicle-to-vehicle communication for new light-duty vehicles made in the United States. However, such communication needs to be secure according to Senators Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal. In a press release, the senators said, “If hackers access a vehicle’s systems, privacy could be compromised, the safety of the vehicle could be put at risk and disaster could ensue. As this important rulemaking proceeds, we call on the Department of Transportation to ensure that vehicles have robust cybersecurity and privacy protections in place before automakers deploy vehicle-2-vehicle and vehicle-2-infrastructure communication technologies.”
Symantec Acquires LifeLock for $2.3 Billion
Creating the world’s largest consumer security business, Symantec recently finalized the acquisition of LifeLock for $24 per share (or $2.3 billion). With LifeLock’s 4.4 million members enveloped into the Symantec suite of products, the companies see the combination of Norton’s consumer security and LifeLock’s identity protection as forming a strong digital safety platform for consumers and families. The companies still await regulatory approval of the acquisition in Q1-17.
The Push for a Permanent U.S. Senate Cybersecurity Committee
With cybersecurity becoming more of a serious threat every year, it’s easy to assume that the subject receives a lot of attention in Congress. However, no permanent cybersecurity committee exists in the Senate—and Colorado Senator Cory Gardner wants to change that. Releasing a press release last Monday, the senator is leveraging the recent concerns about Russian hacking to push for this permanent committee. The Senate currently holds many committee hearings related to cybersecurity.