The recent Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity has sparked a lot of discussions among businesses. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, it’s crucial for organizations to take cybersecurity seriously. In this blog article, we’ll explore what businesses need to know about this Executive Order and how it can help enhance their cybersecurity posture.
What is Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity?
On May 12, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order aimed at improving the nation’s cybersecurity defenses. The Executive Order notes that the federal government has a unique role in securing cyberspace and protecting critical infrastructure, but it cannot do it alone. The Order’s goal is to improve the country’s cybersecurity posture by establishing a framework of best practices and guidelines that both federal agencies and private organizations can follow.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
The Executive Order has several key provisions that businesses need to be aware of:
1. Modernizing Federal Government Cybersecurity: The Executive Order mandates federal agencies to implement multi-factor authentication and encryption within a specified timeframe. It also requires them to adopt a zero-trust architecture, which assumes that all devices, users, and networks are potentially compromised and verifies their identity and security posture before granting access.
2. Enhancing Software Supply Chain Security: The Executive Order requires software development companies to provide a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), a document that lists all the components used in a software application, to customers. This would enable organizations to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in their software supply chain.
3. Establishing a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board: The Executive Order creates a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board comprising government and private sector experts to review and assess significant cyber incidents and recommend actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
4. Improving Cybersecurity Information Sharing: The Executive Order promotes information sharing between federal agencies and private organizations to help them detect, respond to, and prevent cyber threats.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
The Executive Order highlights the importance of cybersecurity to the nation’s security and economic prosperity. Private organizations, especially those that operate critical infrastructure, should take note of the Order’s key provisions. They should evaluate their cybersecurity posture against the framework of best practices and guidelines outlined in the Executive Order and implement necessary changes.
For instance, businesses should consider adopting a zero-trust architecture that verifies the identity and security posture of all devices, users, and networks before granting access. They should also prioritize the adoption of multi-factor authentication and encryption to enhance their security defenses.
Furthermore, businesses should pay close attention to their software supply chain. By requesting an SBOM from software development companies, they can better identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in their software applications.
Conclusion
The Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity is a call to action for both federal agencies and private organizations to prioritize and enhance their cybersecurity defenses. By following the framework of best practices and guidelines outlined in the Executive Order, businesses can improve their cybersecurity posture and protect themselves from the ever-increasing threat of cyber attacks. The Executive Order is a necessary step towards building a stronger, more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem and safeguarding the nation’s security and economic prosperity.
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