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In a pivotal move aimed at fortifying US cyber defense against emerging threats, the White House has taken decisive action to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure. On Tuesday, President Biden signed a national security memorandum, ushering in a new era of protection for vital systems and assets, while replacing a decade-old policy set by Barack Obama.
Department of Homeland Security to Spearhead Initiative
The memorandum serves as a cornerstone in the government's efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure from a myriad of potential risks and hazards. Its overarching objective is to empower the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to spearhead a comprehensive, government-wide initiative aimed at securing U.S. critical infrastructure and to submit regular National Risk Management plans summarizing U.S. government efforts.
Collaboration and Information Sharing
Another key aspect of the memorandum is its directive to the U.S. Intelligence Community to enhance collaboration and information sharing with federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local partners, and private sector stakeholders. Recognizing the critical role played by private sector entities in defending against adversarial threats, the memorandum emphasizes the need for a unified, cohesive approach to intelligence gathering and dissemination.
Sector Risk Management Agencies
Reaffirming the designation of 16 critical infrastructure sectors and their respective Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs), the memorandum highlights the importance of sector-specific expertise in mitigating risks and coordinating response efforts. By empowering SRMAs to assume a leadership role in risk management within their designated sectors, the memorandum seeks to enhance coordination and streamline response mechanisms.
In response to the memorandum, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said "We refuse to turn a blind eye to any risks facing our critical infrastructure, and today's announcement strengthens President Biden's whole-of-government approach to prepare for and mitigate against emerging threats and hazards to our energy infrastructure."
Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said "The policy is particularly relevant today, given continued disruptive ransomware attacks, cyber-attacks on U.S. water systems by our adversaries,"
As the nation confronts an increasingly complex and dynamic threat landscape, President Biden's signing of the national security memorandum marks a pivotal milestone in safeguarding U.S. critical infrastructure. By adopting a proactive, whole-of-government approach, the administration aims to bolster the nation's resilience and ensure its ability to withstand and overcome emerging threats.
