Senate-passed defense bill mandates studies on blockchain, critical infrastructure cyber risks

The Senate-passed version of the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act contains nearly 15 amendments addressing a range of cyber issues including the use of “blockchain” technology, cyber workforce development, and critical infrastructure sector cybersecurity, in addition to a landmark cyber strategy and federal IT modernization measures.

The 2018 NDAA -- which passed Monday and contains provisions establishing a national cybersecurity doctrine and reforms the federal government’s process for modernizing information technology infrastructure -- mandates reports on the offensive...