Network Security Roundup for September 19, 2003

CNN: New Worm Targets Internet Explorer
19-Sep-03 09:55 ET

Story Highlights:
"Anti-virus companies warned on Thursday of a new computer worm circulating through e-mail that purports to be security software from Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) but actually tries to disable security programs that are already running."

Full Story on CNN

Story Highlights:
"Proliferation of security threats. Pressure for freer access to network resources. Reduced staffing and funding. Sound familiar? Any corporate IT department faces these challenges, but the problem is magnified for those in charge of security for state government networks."

Full Story on ComputerWorld

Story Highlights:
" A security company said that it found an example of working computer source code that exploits the latest critical security hole disclosed by Microsoft Corp."

Full Story on Computerworld

Story Highlights:
"It was announced this week that that Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) vice president Amit Yoran is to become the director of the National Cyber Security Division within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Coincidentally, DHS Secretary Tom Ridge unveiled plans for the department to partner with Carnegie Mellon University to create the U.S. Computer Emergency Response Team, to be known as US-CERT. Both announcements come as welcome news at a crucial time in the effort to secure our nation's IT infrastructure."

Full Story on Security Pipeline

Story Highlights:
"The Department of Homeland Security's IT team has been actively involved in the response to Hurricane Isabel. 'We have IT staff deployed 24-by-7 in support of the department's crisis action team,' Homeland Security CIO Steve Cooper says in an e-mail message to InformationWeek. 'We have additional contractor technical staff coming on in shifts for as long as the team is active. We have all technical staff on standby if needed...'"

Full Story on Security Pipeline