cybersecurityframework
Latest
White House unveils guidelines for protecting critical systems against cyber attacks
The US government clearly knows a thing or two about internet security when it deals with (and dishes out) cyber attacks on a regular basis, and it's now ready to share that wisdom with others. The White House has just announced the Cybersecurity Framework, a set of voluntary guidelines that organizations can use to fend off digital assaults on critical infrastructure, like power plants. The NIST-developed Framework tells newcomers where to begin, even if they're outside the US, and it can help experienced outfits educate their partners. American organizations that want further help can also sign up for a program that gets them in touch with federal agencies. The guidelines don't represent surefire protection, but they could reduce the chances that hackers will find gaping holes in the US' virtual defenses.
White House proposes formation of a cybersecurity insurance market
Back in February, President Obama signed an executive order aimed at beefing up cybersecurity measures and established a 240 day deadline for the administration to hammer out the details. Today, the White House took to its blog to put forth a rather loosely defined set of incentives designed to convince private companies to adopt the voluntary aspects of its so-called "Cybersecurity Framework." At the top of the list is a proposed cybersecurity insurance market, which calls for the adoption of risk-reducing measures and risk-based pricing models. Beyond those broad brushstrokes, the White House has provided few details, stating that specifics would be developed in the coming months. Also included in the incentives are federal grants for companies taking part in the program, preferential treatment for some existing government services, liability limitations and public recognition. Essentially, the blog post acts mainly as a preview for the Voluntary Program set to launch in early 2014. The details are more than a bit fuzzy at the moment, but we'll keep you updated as we learn more.
