The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced the release of a draft update to the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP), inviting public feedback until January 15, 2025. This updated plan emphasizes enhanced coordination between federal agencies, private sector companies, and other stakeholders in responding to major cyberattacks. CISA’s Jeff Greene stated that the growing complexity of cyber threats necessitates a well-organized and flexible approach, which the updated NCIRP provides by outlining distinct roles for federal agencies while promoting effective communication and collaboration.
The NCIRP, first published in 2016, has been revised to address the lessons learned from high-profile cyber incidents such as the SolarWinds breach and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021. These incidents highlighted gaps in the existing framework, which did not anticipate the scale and sophistication of such attacks. The updated plan establishes a clear coordination structure, including a White House cyber response group to lead policy and strategy across all sectors. This new structure is designed to streamline responses and ensure swift action in the event of a significant cyber incident.
Under the revised plan, CISA is tasked with leading the Cyber Unified Coordination group, which will ensure that federal efforts align with sector-specific risk management strategies and the needs of critical infrastructure sectors. The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) will also play a central role in uniting federal and non-federal partners to improve information sharing, collaborative planning, and operational coordination. This approach aims to enhance preparedness for future cyber threats by strengthening partnerships between government agencies and private sector entities.
While the updated plan lays out essential strategies for responding to cyber incidents, experts have pointed out that a lack of additional funding and resources may limit its effectiveness. Despite these challenges, CISA Director Jen Easterly emphasized that the revised NCIRP draws from recent experience to improve government-private sector cooperation. The draft also introduces specific timelines for incident response, requiring reviews of significant incidents and reports to be delivered within 30 days, ensuring a more organized and rapid response to emerging cyber threats.
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