After months of waiting, the security industry received an update from the US government on its promised focus on cybersecurity. Late last week President Trump signed the Presidential Executive Order on Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.
Although other recent policies have been met with a variety of opinions across both sides of the aisle, this executive order seems to be a step in the right direction and a continuation of cybersecurity work that began in the previous administration.
The order seeks to improve the network securities of US government agencies and protect critical infrastructure, like the energy grid, from attacks that both private sector executives and lawmakers alike have warned are a potential national security threat. In addition to this primary focus area, the executive order also requires each agency head to adopt a uniform set of standards laid out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The order also calls for a study of the threat posed by botnets.
What do you think? Is this a strong starting point for the administration to focus on, or would you have highlighted other areas? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in reading more on this order? Please check out some articles from a few of our media partners:
SC Magazine: Mixed response from IT security pros following release of Cybersecurity Executive Order
HelpNetSecurity: Industry reactions to Trump’s executive order on cybersecurity
Bank Info Security Group: Trump Finally Signs Cybersecurity Executive Order
Government Matters: President Trump signs cybersecurity executive order