Strengthening America’s Digital Foundations: A New Era in Cybersecurity
The Biden administration has taken a significant step towards bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure with a newly announced executive order. This move aims to establish robust standards for companies selling to the U.S. government and promote greater transparency among software providers.
A Growing Concern: Cyberattacks on the Rise
In recent years, cyberattacks have caused widespread disruptions within federal agencies and companies, resulting in devastating consequences. Notable examples include ransomware attacks on Change Healthcare, the Colonial Pipeline, and the Ascension health care system. Moreover, Microsoft revealed in 2023 that Chinese attackers had breached U.S. government officials’ email accounts, prompting a critical federal report and subsequent changes at the software giant.
New Rules for a Safer Digital Landscape
Companies selling software to the U.S. government will now be required to demonstrate secure development practices, with evidence of these practices to be publicly available on a government website. The General Services Administration will also develop policies to ensure cloud providers furnish clients with guidance on secure operation.
U.S. Cyber Trust Mark: A Seal of Approval for Secure Products
The White House has introduced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark label to help consumers evaluate the security of internet-connected devices. As of 2027, the U.S. government will only purchase products bearing this label, underscoring its commitment to cybersecurity.
Guiding Principles for Software Updates
The National Institute for Standards and Technology has been tasked with developing guidance for handling software updates, a crucial step in preventing attacks like the one that targeted SolarWinds’ Orion software in 2020.
A New Era of Cooperation?
While the executive order marks a significant milestone in the fight against cyber threats, its future remains uncertain. With the incoming administration yet to take office, it remains to be seen whether they will uphold the order. Cybersecurity officials from the Biden administration have not had discussions with their counterparts from the incoming administration, but remain open to collaboration during the transition period.
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