NIST

Researchers tout newfangled tool to predict network vulnerabilities

Layer 8 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:47:01 -0400

It seems like that for as many network security threats there are , there tends to be an equal number of new methods to stop them. Today we find a promising new tool from researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that uses security metrics and network pathways to predict attack risks that could ultimately help IT folks keep ahead of network security battles. For a moment anyway.

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Radio communications and tunnels don’t mix, or do they?

Layer 8 — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:30:48 -0400

Underground tunnels and wireless communications have generally been mutually exclusive entities, much to the chagrin of emergency responders (or anyone who has had their favorite tunes interrupted by tunnel travel for that matter).But serious help may be on the way.

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Quantum theory to be zapped by high-flying electrons

Layer 8 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:39:30 -0400

One thing is for certain in the scientific community; one can’t get too comfortable with the status-quo. Such is the case with quantum theory and the science around it.

Researchers today outlined an experiment they hope to conduct that would test atoms that would not only mean more accurate identifications of elements in everything from stars to environmental pollutants but also could change the modern theory of the atom, researchers said.

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Fingerprint biometrics go wireless, get faster and offer more security

Layer 8 — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:03:59 -0400

Two new fingerprint identification technologies that promise faster, more secure transmission of fingerprint biometric information are being tested by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

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Advanced energy, nanotechnology and computing needed for US to compete

Layer 8 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:21:13 -0400

Future high-tech manufacturing research and development needs to focus on three critical areas: hydrogen energy development, nanomanufacturing, and intelligent and integrated networks and computing.

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Putting biometrics labs to the test

Alpha Doggs — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:10:53 -0400

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) wants your thoughts on a plan to accredit labs that test biometric systems for facial, fingerprint and other ID systems. The Department of Homeland Security has requested such a National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program .

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NIST working on "Deathalyzer"

Layer 8 — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:33:28 -0500

A researcher working for the National Institute of Standards and Technology has demonstrated an optical technique for identifying tiny amounts of a broad range of molecules in the breath, potentially enabling a fast, low-cost screening tool for disease.

In this approach, NIST researchers analyze human breath with "frequency combs," which are generated by a laser specially designed to produce a series of very short, equally spaced pulses of light. Each pulse may be only a few millionth billionths of a second long.

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Ability to measure nanotechnology components saves chip industry $39 billion

Layer 8 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:40:01 -0500

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said today that semiconductor vendor investment in technology that can measure and fine tune nanoscale apparatus and other key semiconductor components will ultimately save the industry $39 billion.

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NIST: Auto collision warning systems not ready for prime time just yet

Layer 8 — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:44:47 -0500

The National Institute of Standards and Technology said today that two car collision warning systems it is testing have passed most, but not all, performance tests.

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Credit card transaction security fortified by new risk assessment system

Layer 8 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:55:58 -0500

Researchers today announced a bulked-up vulnerability risk assessment system that they say will help ensure the security of credit card transactions.

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NIST calls for a new security ‘hash’ algorithm

Layer 8 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 09:42:03 -0500

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) this week opened a competition to develop a new cryptographic hash algorithm, a tool that converts a file, message or block of data to a short fingerprint for use in digital signatures, message authentication and other computer security applications. Such hash algorithms are ultimately one of the key security technologies for federal and public systems.

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Quantum cryptography speeds could be slowed by” dead times”

Layer 8 — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 23:28:48 -0400

Researchers said today that technological and security issues will stall maximum transmission rates at levels comparable to that of a single broadband connection, such as a cable modem, unless researchers reduce “dead times” in the detectors that receive quantum-encrypted messages.

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NIST identifies 56 wicked cool advanced research projects

Layer 8 — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:19:01 -0400

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) today announced 56 new awards for innovative industrial research and development projects that represent everything from alternative energy sources and manufacturing to nanotechnology and semiconductor electronics.

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NIST to set noise standards for manufacturing-based wireless networks

Layer 8 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:34:33 -0400

The National Institute of Standards and Technology said today it is looking to establish a set of standards aimed at pre-qualifying wireless devices for use in industrial environments.

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New tools to help secure Microsoft Vista and Windows XP

Layer 8 — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:56:36 -0400

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said today it was making available virtual machine images of secure configurations of the Microsoft Windows XP and Vista operating systems. The images are expected to help federal agencies in complying with computer security requirements mandated by the government’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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Federal security systems get help

Layer 8 — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 23:46:33 -0400

Securing Federal information systems is obviously a large and challenging enterprise. Just last week a study said despite improved efforts data on Federal PCs and laptops is still vulnerable to theft or loss a year after the officials in the face of the Veteran's Administration laptop loss scandal promised improvements.

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