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Shreveport, La., Mayor Adrian Perkins (L-R), David Burns, director of technology and innovation for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Austin, Texas, Mayor Steve Adler, Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, andAugusta, Ga., Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. attend the session on cybersecurity.Photo by Ariel Gans/Medill News Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Cities can't always prevent cyberattacks, but they can take steps to mitigate and recover from breaches, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told those attending a the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting Thursday.

Some of those measures include "cyber-hygiene" practices, such as using complex passwords, updating software and implementing multi-factor authentication, agency Director Jen Easterly said.

For mayors attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors 90th winter meeting, cybersecurity risks are an increasingly pressing problem. For example, major ransomware attacks occurred under Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in 2018 and Baltimore Mayor Bernard Young in 2019.

According to Easterly, nobody is immune from these attacks, so mayors should focus on building their cities' resilience.

"It is increasingly difficult to prevent bad things from happening," Easterly said, advising mayors to build a system to plan, prepare and develop resources for cyberthreats. In that way, they can "reduce the damage that they're going to have to go through to rebuild systems," she said.

Easterly told the mayors that cybersecurity should not focus on technology, but rather on people and incentivizing them to practice cyber hygiene. Like physical hygiene practices such as brushing teeth or washing hands, cyber hygiene includes updating software and ensuring passwords are complex and unique, she said.

Most importantly, she said, mayors need to implement multi-factor authentication - a second piece of identification needed to prove identity when logging into accounts.

"If you implement MFA, you are about 99% less likely to get hacked," Easterly said.

Her speech came a day after President Joe Biden signed a memorandum expanding the National Security Agency's ability to protect sensitive government computer networks.

The memorandum, required by his executive order, "Improving the Nation's Security," authorizes the NSA to issue directives that require agencies to identify their national security systems and protect against cyber threats.

It also makes cybersecurity practices, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, mandatory for national security systems, the Defense Department and Intelligence Community systems.

"Cyber criminals are also looking at what your mayor is paying, what your team is paying, in terms of all of the things that you're doing to keep their city safe," Easterly said.

"So, cyber criminals are going to go after the soft underbelly for targeting, and if they think that you have invested those resources, they're probably not going to go after you."

Cities are not only impacted by external security breaches, but internal ones, too.

Lorain, Ohio, Mayor Jack W. Bradley described a situation in which the city auditor office filled a request for the salaries of all city employees by sending a spreadsheet via email.

The Excel spreadsheet she sent contained metadata with employees' last four digits of Social Security numbers, date of birth, home address and driver's license numbers.

A council member who received the spreadsheet then sent it out to a third party, unsolicited, leading to it being posted and shared by more than 800 people, Bradley said.

He said his office contacted its cyber insurance carrier, which was to send payments to the breach victims.

Said Easterly, "It has to be a leadership issue, at the end of the day, and people have to treat it as what it is, which is in some cases an existential risk."

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U.S. mayors pressed to address cybersecurity precautions - UPI News

its Presidents prerogative to appoint spy Chief

The National Security Adviser Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), has said it is the prerogative of the President to appoint the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Monguno, said the appointment of Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, as the Director General of NIA met the provisions of the Instrument establishing the Agency under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (Cap 278 LFN).

The NSA was accused of telling the National Assembly that he was unaware of the appointment of the Spy Chief in 2018.

The Head Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Usman, in a statement, described the allegation as false.

According to the statement, the attention of the Office of the National Security Adviser has been drawn to recent reports in the social media credited to some unnamed former Directors of the National Intelligence Agency over the appointment of the Agencys Director General.

To set the record straight, by the provisions of the Instrument establishing the Agency under the National Security Agencies Act 1986 (Cap 278 LFN), the appointment and tenure of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency is the exclusive prerogative of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

It added that, the appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency was made in full compliance with the relevant law.Reported speculations by the unnamed former Directors that the National Security Adviser had told the National Assembly that he was unaware of the Director Generals appointment in 2018 is false.

This office wishes to note that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang has already dismissed a suit challenging the appointment of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

The general public and indeed all stakeholders in the Security and Intelligence sector are advised to disregard the unfortunate falsehood being peddled by these shadowy groups.

Furthermore, groups and individuals who use pseudonyms to issue false claims are cautioned against violating the secrecy upon which the Intelligence Community functions. Appropriate action is being taken to unmask them and bring them to justice.

The intelligence Community is pleased with the work of the Director General, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar since his appointment.

The National Security Adviser is equally satisfied with the level of consultations between his office and the Director General in achieving the functions of the National Intelligence Agency.

Contrary to these false claims Ambassador Abubakar never failed a promotion exam and has consistently been an outstanding officer.

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Appointment of DG of NIA in order, says NSA - Guardian

By Jimmy LaRoue and Titus Mohler

Staff Writers

The varsity football teams from Kings Fork High School and Nansemond-Suffolk Academy earned a variety of state accolades, including top individual honors, along with NSAs varsity volleyball team this past fall.

Five players from the standout Kings Fork football team that finished 11-2 and reached the state semifinals were named to the Virginia High School Leagues Class 4 all-state team, with Kyree Moyston named Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior Bravion Campbell was named first-team all-state at both tight end and linebacker, junior Kaletri Boyd was tabbed as a first-team all-state selection as a kick returner and second-team all-state as a receiver, and Moyston, a senior who recently signed a national letter of intent to play at Virginia Tech, was named first-team all-state at defensive end in addition to his player of the year honor.

Freshman Javon Ford was named second-team all-state at running back. He was one of just two freshmen named to either first or second-team all-state.Junior Antoine Gray received second-team all-state honors at defensive back.

The Bulldogs only losses of the season came against state champions, falling to Class 6 state champion Oscar Smith High School during the regular season and to Class 4 champion Varina High School 35-28 in the state semifinals.

Varinas Marcus Lewis was named Coach of the Year and all-purpose player Anthony Fisher was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Of the Bulldogs 11 wins, two were by shutout, and in seven of them, they allowed fewer than 10 points.

Nansemond-Suffolk was well-represented on the 2021 Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II all-state teams for football, led by senior running back George Pettaway, who was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

The Saints, who made a state semifinal appearance and finished 7-4 this past season, drew eight all-state selections, with six coming on the first team. Making the first team on offense on the line was senior Nathan Dowd and at running back was Pettaway, who has committed to play for the University of North Carolina.

Selected to the first team on defense were senior lineman David Russell, senior linebacker Josh Morris, senior defensive back Christian Townsend and sophomore kick returner Preston Groves.

Making the second team on offense were senior wide receiver Jaden Freeman and senior lineman Brendan Livesay.

In volleyball, NSA drew four state honors, including Coach of the Year for Robyn Ross.

On the VISAA Division II all-state first team for the Lady Saints were Marlin Price and Alyssa Waddy. Kyra Bradford was named to the second team.

In field hockey, Nansemond River High School and NSA each drew three all-state selections.

Lady Warriors senior forward Halle Fago made the VHSL Class 5 all-state first team. Named to the second team were junior midfielder Madie Baker and freshman Anyia Woods, the latter receiving an at-large selection.

Page Henry, of the Lady Saints, made the VISAA Division II all-state first team, and Meredith Edwards and Sara Rhodes made the second team.

In girls tennis, NSA was represented on the VISAA Division II all-state first team by Kayla Kosiorek and on the second team by Anne-Perry Harrell.

In boys soccer, the VISAA Division II all-state second team included NSAs Chris Clarke and Bola Orenuga.

VHSL Class 5 all-state honors for football and boys volleyball, which could include Nansemond River honorees, have not yet been announced. VHSL Class 3, 4 and 5 all-state accolades for competition cheer, which could include Lakeland High School, Kings Fork and Nansemond River honorees, respectively, have also yet to be announced, along with Class 3 boys volleyball all-state selections.

Originally posted here:
King's Fork, NSA teams earn top state honors - The Suffolk News-Herald - Suffolk News-Herald

Following on from its success in 2021, the National Sheep Association (NSA)s series of Breakfast Club webinars is returning for the new year with speakers looking forward to sharing useful and up to date information with sheep farmers and other interested parties throughout 2022.

Providing sponsorship to assist in the delivery of the Breakfast Club sessions this year is long-standing NSA supporter Roythornes.

Roythornes is one of the top agricultural law practices in the country, providing practical and targeted advice on wide-ranging agricultural policy and legislative changes. Roythornes also provide free legal advice* to NSA members as one of the benefits of NSA membership subscription.

Mark Dodds, Marketing Manager at Roythornes, commented: Were delighted to be sponsoring the NSA Breakfast Club webinars as they are clearly valued by members of the NSA and provide an invaluable source of information in a sometimes-complicated world.

As a firm, we have always had a very close affinity with farming and agriculture, and the sponsorship enables us to support those who are working hard in challenging times.

The first NSA Breakfast Club of the year will take place next Wednesday, January 12 askingWho will eat UK sheep meat in 2022?

The session, a review of current overseas work to promote UK sheep meat products, will feature speakers Dr. Phil Hadley, AHDB International Market Development Director and David Swales, AHDB Head of Strategic Insight, with Alistair Sneddon, NSA English Committee member and senior partner at Bagshaws, chairing the discussion.

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NSA Breakfast Club webinars to return in 2022 - Agriland.co.uk

Professor Peter Twumasi Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) remains confident the Black Stars of Ghana will excel at the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), billed to begin on Sunday, January 9, in Cameroon.

Ahead of the biennial continental competition, the Director-General wished the team well and urged them to clinch the ultimate.

He expressed his undying confidence in the Black Stars to battle it out for the ultimate glory and was hopeful that the team would be nothing short of making Ghana proud.

The NSA commended Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo, the office of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, the management and staff of the NSA, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Army, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Fire Service and the Supporters Union for their immense contribution to the success of the team in diverse ways.

Ghana would begin her AFCON campaign on Monday, January 10 against Morocco before taking on Comoros and Gabon.

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NSA believes Black Stars will shine in 2021 AFCON - News Ghana