The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is actively working towards enhancing federal cybersecurity by preparing to issue a list of software products deemed critical for the federal government’s cyber posture. This initiative is set to meet a September 30 deadline and stems from CISA’s response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) oversight report that evaluates the implementation of a major 2021 cybersecurity executive order. This executive order is primarily focused on shoring up U.S. cyber defenses, and the list will feature software that fulfills specific criteria set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These criteria include the ability to manage system privileges, control operational technology, and carry out network protection tasks.
CISA’s forthcoming list aims to clarify which software products are essential for maintaining secure federal systems and will be distributed by CISA’s Cybersecurity Division. The delivery of this list is among the top recommendations of the GAO report, which also notes that while the U.S. has achieved most of the goals outlined in the 2021 executive order, several key objectives still need to be completed. By providing federal agencies with examples of critical software, CISA hopes to enhance the agencies’ understanding of potential cyber vulnerabilities in essential products and promote a more robust cybersecurity framework across federal operations.
The push for improved federal cybersecurity comes amid increasing concerns about cyber threats, highlighted by significant cyberattacks involving Chinese and Russian hackers targeting U.S. agencies. These incidents have underscored the critical need for robust cyber defenses to protect sensitive government data and maintain national security. In response, the Biden administration has made federal cybersecurity a top priority, with new legislative efforts underway to introduce stricter cybersecurity and interoperability standards for online collaboration tools purchased by the federal government.
Federal agencies continue to be prime targets for cyberattacks due to their extensive data repositories and sometimes inadequate onsite cyber protections. Recent phishing schemes against the Federal Communications Commission and fraudulent attacks on State Department employee payroll accounts further demonstrate the ongoing challenges. These incidents emphasize the necessity for federal agencies to adopt more comprehensive cybersecurity measures and vigilance to protect against and mitigate the impacts of such cyber threats.
