Thanksgiving quiet and international cybercrime [Government IT News]
ZDNet's worldwide team provides global 24/7 technology news and analysis. In addition to my own coverage analysis here in the ZDNet Government column and on ZDNet's DIY-IT, every week I'll bring you a selection of the best government-related articles posted by our intrepid reporters and analysts. Here are some of the most interesting from the last week.
Government coverage around ZDNet
Sony hires FireEye's Mandiant following internal security breach
After cyberattack resulted in internal networks being shuttered and confidential files leaked across the web, Sony has pulled in the professionals.
StealthGenie spyware seller fined $500,000 in landmark conviction
The ruling marks the first-ever criminal conviction concerning the advertisement and sale of mobile device spyware applications.
Meet the Pirate who wants to reform Europe's copyright laws
How Julia Reda, the Pirate Party member in the European Parliament, plans to take on copyright and other technology issues.
'Faster' NBN rollout slower than expected
NBN Co's multi-technology mix model of the NBN could reach one in three premises by the time of the next federal election.
2014: The year everyone's security took a hit
The past year has shown that each and every person is less secure than they thought on January 1, 2014, and for popping that bubble, we should be thankful.
Poland slammed over holes in cyber-defence landscape
An upcoming audit has found massive failings across Polish institutions when it comes to digital threats.
Sony Pictures corporate files stolen and released in cyberattack
Sony Pictures Entertainment's internal network was reportedly hijacked this week, and it seems corporate data has leaked on to the web.
Siemens SCADA flaw 'likely' hit in recent attacks
The Department of Homeland Security has warned of a serious and easily exploited remote execution flaw in Siemens' WinCC SCADA software.
ASIC seeks to be added to metadata access list
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will apply to the attorney-general to retain its access to metadata after mandatory data-retention legislation has passed the parliament.
We should be able to see George Brandis' metadata
There is a major difference between law-enforcement agencies and media accessing metadata, but arguably that changes when it comes to politicians using taxpayer-funded phones.
Metadata needs to be defined in law: Committee
The Australian Senate committee for the scrutiny of Bills has slammed the government's decision to leave the data set out of mandatory data-retention legislation.
ACMA hones in on malware with internet security portal
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched its Australian Internet Security Initiative portal to give internet service providers access to information about what IPs in their networks are infected by malware.
Right to be forgotten: Now it's not just Europe that has to forget
Six months after the ruling that kickstarted the whole process, regulators have details how search engines should deal with 'right to be forgotten' requests.
Australian government reviews cybersecurity
Over five years since the last review, the Australian government has announced a new wide-ranging review into cybersecurity.
Who Brandis called censored and deemed not relevant to democracy
The very type of records that Attorney-General George Brandis would like Australian telecommunications companies to retain from customers for two years have been deemed too personal for release under Freedom of Information when they belong to him.
Apple, Google encryption 'not helping' criminal investigation: AFP
The growth of connected devices, the cloud, and encrypted operating systems is making criminal investigation tougher for the Australian Federal Police.
EU parliament to debate Google breakup
The European Parliament is debating whether to call for the breakup of internet giant Google in a symbolic resolution that has nevertheless worried the United States.
