Here’s what ‘Shmoocon 2016,’ the D.C. hackerfest, tells us about the cybersecurity industry

From: The Washington Post

By Aaron Gregg

Hackers from around the globe gather at the Washington Hilton each year for Shmoocon, a hacker conference in its 12th year.

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But the crowd’s absurdities make it easy to forget that these are some of the most sought-after professionals in business, government and war. Over the past few years costly and highly-public instances of data theft have driven huge corporations to give cybersecurity professionals C-suite representation for the first time. And there’s a massive dearth of trained cybersecurity professionals, even in the Washington area: a 2015 report from market research firm Burning Glass found almost 50,000 open positions for cybersecurity professionals across the country with an advertised average salary of $83,934.

The EU General Data Protection Regulation is now law: here’s what you need to know – See more at: http://www.information-age.com/technology/data-centre-and-it-infrastructure/123460854/eu-general-data-protection-regulation-now-law-heres-what-you-need-know#sthash.XUO9KXHI.dpuf

From: Information Age

The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has achieved final approval after a long two year process. With the final draft clearing up a few ambiguities and loose ends, many are calling it a ‘milestone of the digital age.’ 

Posted by Chloe Green

You are back in the office after the long holiday break and busy catching up. Did you miss the story about the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) receiving final approval? Some are calling it a ‘milestone of the digital age.’

Police Departments are Vulnerable to Cyberthreats as Evidence Goes Digital

From: Fast Company

SECURITY FIRMS THINK THE ATTACKS COULD BECOME “WIDESPREAD” THIS YEAR UNLESS PROPER MEASURES ARE TAKEN.

As local police departments turn more to digital systems to manage evidence and communicate with the public, they become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, experts warn.

“U.S. law enforcement will be breached,” security firm PKWare said earlier this month in its list of digital security predictions for this year. “From body cameras to police databases, cyberattacks against law enforcement could become widespread in 2016.”

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Lawmakers rush to get 11th hour privacy deal

From: The Hill

By Katie Bo Williams

Lawmakers are scrambling to strike an 11th-hour deal to move a key privacy bill that many believe is integral to reaching a new transatlantic data transfer agreement.

People tracking the negotiations believe a deal has been struck, ensuring a Senate Judiciary Committee vote scheduled for Thursday morning.

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F.C.C. Proposes Changes in Cable Set-Top Box Market

Editor’s Note: Cable set-top box standards should be based on private sector, market-driven consortia standards. See, Market-Driven Consortia: Implications for the FCC’s Cable Access Proceeding.

From: New York Times

WASHINGTON — The cable set-top box, long a scourge of consumers and a moneymaker for cable companies, appears set for a makeover.

The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday announced a proposal allowing cable and satellite subscribers to pick the devices they use to watch programming. Nearly all customers now must get their boxes from their cable companies, and they pay an average of $231 a year to lease the devices.