Cybersecurity

Opposition Demands More Scrutiny on New Cybersecurity Measures Impacting Major Banks and Critical Infrastructure

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In Canberra, Australia, a critical debate is unfolding as the opposition calls for a careful review of proposed cybersecurity legislation that could significantly impact major banks, telecom giant Telstra, and other essential infrastructure operators. The call for caution comes amid concerns that hasty enactment could lead to adverse repercussions, undermining the very systems it aims to protect. The proposed legal framework, introduced by the Labor party on Wednesday, is a trio of cybersecurity bills. Key among these is a new mandatory regime that requires reporting ransom payments and broadening government authority to intervene directly in … Read more

Whistleblower Lawsuit Accuses Georgia Tech of Cybersecurity Failures in Defense Contracts

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ATLANTA — The Georgia Institute of Technology and its affiliate, the Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC), find themselves at the center of significant legal scrutiny as they face allegations of failing to adhere to cybersecurity mandates stipulated in U.S. Department of Defense contracts. The Department of Justice has initiated a whistleblower lawsuit against the institutions, claiming extensive violations of cybersecurity regulations that could have jeopardized national security. The complaint, lodged under both the False Claims Act and federal common law, was spurred by claims from both current and former members of Georgia Tech’s cybersecurity team. … Read more

Federal Judge Denies SEC’s Bid to Regulate Corporate Cybersecurity in Landmark SolarWinds Case

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NEW YORK — In a landmark decision, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled against the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) attempt to regulate corporate cybersecurity practices, settling a significant lawsuit centered around the extensive SolarWinds cyberattack. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer concluded that the current statutory framework provides the SEC authority only over financial controls, not the broader scope of internal cybersecurity measures. This ruling came amid fears from various business sectors concerned about potential penalties from the SEC following breaches, particularly those executed by sophisticated hacking groups. Companies worried that stringent regulatory oversight … Read more

Kansas Ushers in Sweeping Reforms with 101 New Laws Starting July: Child Welfare, Cybersecurity, and More

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Topeka, KS — Kansas has ushered in a significant legislative shift with the enactment of 101 new laws starting Monday, as announced by Gov. Laura Kelly and state lawmakers. These regulations, part of a broader tally of 113 statutes passed this year, span a wide array of issues from child welfare reforms spurred by tragic incidents to innovative responses to modern problems like cybersecurity threats. A notable advancement is the establishment of a permanent independent office of a child advocate, created in response to the tragic death of five-year-old Zoey Felix of Topeka. The bill, … Read more