A National Cyber Strategy is a comprehensive plan that outlines a country’s approach to cybersecurity. It typically includes goals and objectives, as well as specific strategies and actions that will be taken to achieve those goals and objectives.
A National Cyber Strategy is important because it can help to ensure that a country’s cybersecurity efforts are coordinated and effective. It can also help to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues and to promote best practices.
The specific content of a National Cyber Strategy will vary depending on the country. However, most National Cyber Strategies will typically address the following areas:
- Protecting critical infrastructure: This includes protecting critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, and financial services from cyberattacks.
- Deterring and disrupting cyber adversaries: This includes developing and implementing capabilities to deter and disrupt cyber adversaries.
- Promoting cybersecurity innovation: This includes supporting the development and deployment of new cybersecurity technologies and solutions.
- Building a cybersecurity workforce: This includes developing and implementing programs to build a skilled and qualified cybersecurity workforce.
- Raising cybersecurity awareness: This includes raising awareness of cybersecurity issues among individuals, organizations, and the government.
National Cyber Strategies are typically developed by the government in consultation with stakeholders from the private sector and civil society. They are typically reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that they are still relevant and effective.
Here are some examples of specific initiatives that may be included in a National Cyber Strategy:
- Developing and implementing a national cyber risk management framework
- Establishing a national cyber incident response team
- Investing in cybersecurity research and development
- Providing cybersecurity training and education to individuals and organizations
- Working with international partners to improve global cybersecurity
The organization responsible for implementing the National Cyber Strategy in the United States is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
CISA works with a variety of stakeholders to implement the National Cyber Strategy, including the private sector, state and local governments, and international partners. Some of the specific ways in which CISA implements the National Cyber Strategy include:
- Developing and implementing cybersecurity standards and guidelines
- Providing cybersecurity training and education to individuals and organizations
- Conducting cybersecurity assessments and risk management exercises
- Coordinating the response to cyber incidents
- Working with international partners to improve global cybersecurity
CISA also plays a leading role in developing and implementing the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP). The NCIRP is a plan that outlines how the federal government will respond to a major cyber incident.
In addition to CISA, other organizations involved in implementing the National Cyber Strategy include:
- The National Security Council (NSC)
- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
- The Department of Defense (DoD)
- The Department of Justice (DoJ)
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
These organizations work together to develop and implement the National Cyber Strategy and to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
The National Cyber Strategy is a critical document that outlines how the United States will protect itself from cyberattacks. By working together, CISA and other organizations can help to implement the National Cyber Strategy and build a more secure and resilient digital society.
Project and research by EM@QUE.com