It seems like everything NASA does is on a grand scale.
From this photo of the Cygnus resupply ship reaching the International Space Station:
To a single snapshot taken from the ISS window of Australia's Great Sandy Desert:
NASA: Conquering outer space, struggling in cyberspace
Also on a grand scale? NASA's IT infrastructure. It is a struggle to control and protect it.
Check this out from NASA's just released annual report:
"NASA manages approximately 1,200 publicly accessible web applications, or about half of all publicly accessible, nonmilitary Federal Government websites. Coupled with the Agency’s statutory mission to share scientific information, the large number of networks and websites present unique IT security challenges."
NASA's digital configuration is certainly unique. So it may not be surprising that the report says visibility is a significant issue at the agency.
And over the last year it has also battled several major cybersecurity challenges: "Stolen Identity Credentials, phishing, malware, and an aging IT infrastructure," the report says.
NASA cybersecurity priorities for the next year
Here is what NASA says it must do, next, to secure the agency's assets. How many of these things are on your 2018 to-do list?
- Implement a risk management framework informed by intelligence and operations to improve our security posture and decision-making
- Focus on mitigating compromise of users via credentials
- Fully deploy the DHS Automated Indicator Sharing program
- Enhance Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities, including Continuity of Operations, high availability, and disaster recovery
- Fully deploy DHS’s EINSTEIN 3 Accelerated program capability in NASA
- Deploy capability to work with missions to mitigate cybersecurity risks
- Develop and train IT workforce throughout NASA
- Improve Center security reviews, which will enhance the overall NASA security posture
- Focus on upgrading and decommissioning obsolete hardware and software
"When taken in their totality these priorities will mitigate Agency risk and position NASA to better defend and monitor its networks."
And that is akin to defending and monitoring the galaxy.
This probably goes without saying, but all images here are courtesy of NASA. Want more? Check out NASA's Image of the Day gallery for some unbelievable images!
