Two months after releasing an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, Biden has released a Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems.
Both releases signal the white house’s focus on improving cybersecurity following several high-profile cybersecurity attacks affecting critical infrastructure. This memo established an Industrial Control Systems (ISC) Cybersecurity Initiative, which is an effort for the federal government to collaborate with the infrastructure community to help improve the cybersecurity of their systems. The goal is to encourage the facilitation of new technologies that provide visibility and threat detection.
In order to best improve cybersecurity among critical infrastructure sectors, baseline cybersecurity goals need to be established. Baseline goals that are consistent across all critical infrastructure sectors will be made by the Secretary of Homeland Security no later than September 22, 2021.
Critical Infrastructure sectors have been recently affected by cyberattacks such as the Colonial Pipeline Attack and the Florida Water Treatment Hack. The federal government intends to minimize the threat of further attacks like these by working with these organizations to establish cybersecurity best practices and manage risks. Other initiatives made by the government include providing cybersecurity funding to state, local, and tribal businesses through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Cyber-attacks, like ransomware, are not only affecting the critical infrastructure sector. They are affecting organizations of all sizes and industries. Establishing cybersecurity best practices are necessary to minimize the threat of ransomware to your organization. Learn how Aurora can help you establish the security necessary to better defend against ransomware by contacting us or download our whitepaper, Ransomware: A Cryptocurrency Fueled Criminal Enterprise.
