Washington
Russian computer breached DC Metro system: watchdog
A computer based in Russia was able to breach the Washington, D.C., Metro system earlier this year, Metro’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) says in a new report.
The partially redacted report, released Wednesday and first reported by The Washington Post, says the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) cyber security group detected “abnormal network activity originating in Russia” in January.
Initial findings indicated that a computer in Russia had accessed “a sensitive WMATA directory” with the credentials of a contractor who no longer worked for Metro, but whose high-level access had been maintained in hopes that the contract would be renewed. The investigation found that “the computer in Russia was turned on at the direction of the former contractor who remotely accessed his computer in Russia.”
The OIG says it raised concerns about “possible cybersecurity vulnerabilities” to WMATA back in 2019, arguing that vulnerability assessments and testing of system components were not being conducted. WMATA then contracted a security company that produced a findings report, a copy of which the OIG says it only received in February, despite earlier requests.
“Given the current threat environment, the report stated that it can be assumed vulnerabilities currently do or will exist within WMATA’s systems. These vulnerabilities, if left unaddressed and subsequently become exploited by a threat, could render WMATA susceptible to unacceptable outcomes,” the latest OIG document reads.
In a response included in the published report, Metro’s chief information officer Torri T. Martin and chief audit and risk officer Elizabeth Sullivan wrote to “respectfully note that the Report fails to recognize that the IT department has made measurable improvements in its cybersecurity program as demonstrated by successfully closing 142 out of 168 OIG corrective action plans … since 2019.”
An investigation of the Russian activity by the Microsoft Detection and Response team, they said, did not find that content accessed through the breached computer in January was synchronized onto the Russia device and “no indications of persistence or ongoing malicious activity” were noted.
The IT department is now reviewing the OIG and Microsoft assessments and recommendations, Martin and Sullivan said.
“Where a new program or process may be needed, we will develop an actionable plan and milestones based on available resources and appropriate [corrective action plans],” they wrote.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
WASHINGTON (25News Now) – A new tradition was born in the Town of Washington Thursday night, on top of one that’s already been going for 11 years.
The city’s fire department used its annual Santa parade as an opportunity to collect food donations for ‘Washington Helps Its People,’ more commonly known as WHIP.
Fire Captain Jakob Spitzer said the department started its annual Santa parade in 2013 after the tornado tore through town. It was a way to reconnect with neighbors after the tragedy.
As the number of spectators grows each year, the acts of service have started to follow.
“It’s a perfect opportunity for families to come together, to donate, and to give during this Christmas season,” Spitzer said.
WHIP hosts a food pantry twice a month, serving nearly 200 families. However, one volunteer, Sharla Davis, says the number of people in need has recently grown, making community involvement more important.
“Our demand is greater, so our community is really just stepping up. This is a great way that people can just donate from right out of their house; they don’t have to drive the donation to us, they don’t have to send us a check, they can just walk out their door, say hi to Santa, and be able to put food on the truck,” said Davis.
This year marks the first time the firefighters have added the WHIP Collection to the tradition, and they said they’ll continue it from here on out.
During Thursday’s 11-mile parade route, WHIP leaders estimate people donated over 3,000 pounds of food, including canned vegetables, cereal, and crackers.
People interested in donating but missed the collection or the fire trucks didn’t drive down their street can drop off nonperishable items at either the fire department or WHIP off Peoria Street.
You can watch 25News – any newscast, anywhere – streaming LIVE on 25NewsNow.com, our 25News mobile app, and on our WEEK 25News SmartTV streaming app. Learn more about how you can get connected to 25News streaming live news here.
Copyright 2024 WEEK. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes start a three-game road trip in the nation’s capital on Friday night against the Washington Capitals.
–
When: Friday, December 20
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More
Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App
Odds at Time of Publishing, via Fanatics Sportsbook: Canes -140
–
Canes Record: 20-10-1 (41 Points, 3rd – Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game: 4-0 Win over the New York Islanders on Friday, December 17
–
Capitals Record: 21-8-2 (44 Points, 2nd – Metropolitan Division)
Capitals Last Game: 3-2 Loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, December 17
Soroka, 27, pitched to a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched in 25 games (nine starts) for
Is Big Lots closing all stores? What to know about all the stores closing in Arizona
Purdue Football Gets First Transfer Portal Pledge From Former Arkansas QB
California suffers exodus as over 200,000 Americans leave state in one year
Colorado weather: Weekend temperatures will be well above normal
Strange Connecticut laws, such as receiving a $99 fine for selling silly string to a minor
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
At least eight migrants drown after boat collision off Greece’s coast
Saturday is the winter solstice. Make the most of the shortest day of the year
In an early legislative test for Trump, plan B spending bill tanks in House
EU countries inspect Chinese vessel after data cables damaged
-
Politics7 days agoCanadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25782636/247422_ChatGPT_anniversary_CVirginia.jpg "Inside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT")
Technology1 week agoInside the launch — and future — of ChatGPT
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789444/1258459915.jpg "OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change")
Technology6 days agoOpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change
-
Politics6 days agoU.S. Supreme Court will decide if oil industry may sue to block California's zero-emissions goal
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25546252/STK169_Mark_Zuckerburg_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg "Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit")
Technology7 days agoMeta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit
-
Politics1 week agoConservative group debuts major ad buy in key senators' states as 'soft appeal' for Hegseth, Gabbard, Patel
-
Business5 days agoFreddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23951353/STK043_VRG_Illo_N_Barclay_3_Meta.jpg "Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age")
Technology5 days agoMeta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age