Everything You Need to Know About Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity remains a significant threat to organizations nationwide, with large-scale breaches such as the colonial pipeline, Microsoft Exchange, and Solar Winds. These recent incidents occurred despite NIST compliance measures practiced across industries. The recent executive order on cybersecurity addresses these incidents.

The worrying trends led to the President’s executive order on cybersecurity to bridge the gap between federal and private entities toward establishing a more robust and holistic solution against sophisticated cybercriminals. President Joe Biden’s executive order comprises seven changes in data management within federal IT services.  

Remove Barriers to Sharing Information  

The executive order on cybersecutrequires private service providers to release threat information to government agencies without obligatory barriers. 

By removing contractual obligations and other legal factors that prevent information-sharing, government agencies can improve federal cybersecurity systems and the national cyberinfrastructure. 

Improve Software Supply Chain Security

Software suppliers will need to fulfill baseline security standards before being given the green light to distribute their products across government agencies. 

Additionally, security experts will need to uphold uncompromised transparency across all services throughout collaborations. Every certified software will feature an easily identifiable label that represents security standards built from the ground up. 

Optimize Federal Cybersecurity Standards

Federal IT systems will implement multi-factor authentication, encryption, zero-trust architectures, and other modern security initiatives. The government intends to lead by example, setting the fundamental cybersecurity standards for every organization. 

Establish a Cybersecurity Review Board

The board will include government officials and private sector leaders. During significant cyberattacks, board members will meet to assess the root of the problem and discuss remedial action plans for improved national defense. 

Create a Standard Cyber Threat Response Playbook

The government will provide federal agencies with standard response manuals documenting the common definitions and procedures involved in a cyber breach incident. By doing so, the government empowers agencies to take uniform steps in isolating and responding to threats. 

Enhance Detection of Cybersecurity Threats 

Implementing end-point detection and response (EDR) and information-sharing across the government’s IT system ensures that agencies stay vigilant against the most sophisticated threats. 

Enforce Logging Requirements 

Mandatory logging practices ensure that federal departments and agencies maintain a transparent and updated account of network activities. The measure will help accelerate an entity’s overall cybersecurity threat detection and response rate.  

Closing Thoughts

Cybersecurity threats will continue to evolve with digital advancement. While the President’s executive order may significantly improve the network security of federal departments and agencies, national cybersecurity is a two-prong process. 

Private organizations have differing IT goals and practices that ultimately affect industries and the entire nation. A dedicated IT specialist like one from Envision Consulting provides your organization with the technical support and expertise to align and transition your business based on the changing demands of the modern landscape. 

Set up a meeting with our friendly consultant and begin your IT evolution today!