In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is more important than ever. As individuals, businesses, and government entities rely on digital platforms for communication, commerce, and governance, the risks of cyberattacks—ranging from data breaches to state-sponsored espionage—are constantly evolving. To mitigate these threats and protect the nation’s infrastructure, the United States has developed a variety of policies designed to enhance cybersecurity across sectors.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how US policies have contributed to strengthening cybersecurity and what measures are being implemented to protect critical infrastructure, improve response capabilities, and encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors.
1. The National Cybersecurity Strategy
In 2023, the Biden administration released a new National Cybersecurity Strategy aimed at addressing the growing cybersecurity challenges facing the nation. The strategy focuses on three main areas:
- Defending Critical Infrastructure: The strategy aims to safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure, including energy grids, financial institutions, and healthcare systems, from cyber threats. The strategy calls for increased collaboration between government agencies and private sectors to secure these systems, which are vital to the nation’s functioning.
- Deterrence and Accountability: The US aims to deter malicious cyber actors through a combination of international cooperation, strengthening legal frameworks, and holding cybercriminals accountable. This includes sanctions, prosecuting cybercriminals, and engaging in diplomatic efforts with allies to ensure cyber norms are respected worldwide.
- Investment in Cybersecurity: The strategy highlights the need for investment in cybersecurity research and development. By supporting the development of advanced technologies and frameworks, the US aims to build resilience against emerging threats and keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber risks.
2. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) plays a critical role in strengthening national cybersecurity efforts. Established in 2018, CISA works to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure, facilitate cybersecurity collaboration across government agencies, and develop guidance for private sector entities to improve their cybersecurity posture.
CISA’s efforts include:
- Threat Detection and Response: CISA provides real-time information sharing on emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, helping organizations respond quickly to mitigate damage.
- Critical Infrastructure Protection: The agency helps both public and private sectors identify, assess, and strengthen cybersecurity defenses for key infrastructure sectors.
- Cybersecurity Awareness and Education: CISA runs public awareness campaigns and provides resources to help individuals and organizations understand the risks and best practices for securing their online presence.
3. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA)
FISMA, passed in 2002 and updated in 2014, mandates that federal agencies and contractors adhere to a set of cybersecurity standards. The goal is to ensure that federal systems are protected against threats that could undermine national security, government operations, or public trust.
FISMA sets forth the following key principles:
- Risk-Based Security: Agencies are required to perform risk assessments, identifying and prioritizing cybersecurity risks to ensure the most critical systems receive the necessary protections.
- Continuous Monitoring: Agencies must continuously monitor their systems to detect and respond to potential threats.
- Compliance with Standards: Federal agencies must comply with cybersecurity standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ensuring a consistent approach to safeguarding government systems.
4. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework
NIST, an agency within the Department of Commerce, has developed a Cybersecurity Framework that has become a key reference for organizations across all sectors. Initially designed to protect critical infrastructure, the framework has since been adopted widely by the private sector, offering a flexible, risk-based approach to improving cybersecurity.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework consists of five core functions:
- Identify: Understanding and managing cybersecurity risks to systems, assets, and data.
- Protect: Implementing safeguards to protect critical infrastructure and systems.
- Detect: Developing and implementing activities to identify cybersecurity events in real-time.
- Respond: Taking appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of cyberattacks.
- Recover: Developing strategies to restore any impaired systems and operations after an incident.
By adopting NIST’s framework, organizations can assess their current cybersecurity posture and implement the necessary controls to enhance their security measures.
5. Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA)
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act was enacted in 2015 as part of the larger Cybersecurity Act of 2015. It allows both public and private organizations to share cybersecurity information in real-time, without the fear of legal repercussions. The goal is to create an environment where information about cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks can be exchanged quickly, enabling faster responses and better threat detection.
This policy has helped:
- Enhance Collaboration: By facilitating collaboration between the government, businesses, and academia, the US can leverage a wider range of expertise and resources in cybersecurity.
- Boost Threat Intelligence: Faster sharing of threat intelligence allows organizations to proactively defend against attacks by learning from one another’s experiences.
- Increase Awareness: CISA enables organizations to understand the evolving nature of cyber threats, enhancing their preparedness and reducing their vulnerabilities.
6. The Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity (2021)
In 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, which focuses on increasing cybersecurity standards and modernization across federal agencies and private sector industries. Key components of the order include:
- Zero Trust Architecture: The Executive Order encourages the adoption of a Zero Trust security model, where users, devices, and networks are continually authenticated and verified, rather than trusted by default. This approach aims to limit the potential damage of a security breach.
- Supply Chain Security: The order emphasizes the need to secure the software supply chain, an area that has become a growing target for cyberattacks, particularly after incidents like the SolarWinds attack.
- Incident Response: The order requires government agencies to improve their incident response times and provide more transparency when responding to cyber incidents. This is meant to ensure that any cyberattack, especially those involving sensitive data, is detected and addressed in a timely manner.
7. The Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Initiatives
The Department of Defense (DoD) is heavily invested in cybersecurity, particularly as it relates to national defense and military operations. The DoD has its own set of cybersecurity policies and initiatives that contribute to both national security and the protection of critical infrastructure.
- The DoD Cyber Strategy: This strategy focuses on improving cybersecurity within the military while strengthening alliances and partnerships to combat cyber threats globally. It emphasizes the need for resilient, secure communications and defense capabilities.
- Cyber Command (CYBERCOM): U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is tasked with protecting DoD networks, conducting offensive and defensive cyber operations, and supporting national defense efforts. Its work is essential in safeguarding military and government operations from foreign and domestic cyber threats.
Conclusion
US cybersecurity policies play a crucial role in safeguarding both the public and private sectors from cyber threats. Through frameworks like NIST, initiatives from agencies such as CISA, and national strategies like the Cybersecurity Strategy and Executive Orders, the US continues to enhance its cybersecurity posture. These policies not only help prevent cyberattacks but also ensure that the nation is prepared to respond quickly and effectively in case of a breach.
As cyber threats evolve, it’s essential for these policies to remain agile, adapting to new risks while fostering collaboration across government, industry, and global partners. By investing in cybersecurity and promoting a culture of awareness and resilience, the US aims to protect its citizens, infrastructure, and economy from the ever-growing cyber threat landscape.