Source URL: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/01/biden-signs-new-cybersecurity-order.html
Source: Schneier on Security
Title: Biden Signs New Cybersecurity Order
Feedly Summary: President Biden has signed a new cybersecurity order. It has a bunch of provisions, most notably using the US governments procurement power to improve cybersecurity practices industry-wide.
Some details:
The core of the executive order is an array of mandates for protecting government networks based on lessons learned from recent major incidents—namely, the security failures of federal contractors.
The order requires software vendors to submit proof that they follow secure development practices, building on a mandate that debuted in 2022 in response to …
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: President Biden’s new cybersecurity order mandates improved cybersecurity practices across industries by utilizing government procurement power and establishing stricter verification for software vendors. This executive order reflects a growing recognition of the importance of secure software development and aims to mitigate risks highlighted by recent cyber incidents, potentially shaping compliance standards in both government and commercial sectors.
Detailed Description:
The recent executive order signed by President Biden signifies a concerted effort by the federal government to enhance cybersecurity measures across various sectors. Key points of the order include:
– **Procurement Power Utilization**: The order emphasizes the government’s role in influencing cybersecurity practices through its procurement policies. This approach aims to assure that contractors comply with enhanced cybersecurity protocols.
– **Mandates for Software Vendors**:
– The order requires software vendors to prove adherence to secure development practices.
– Building upon a previous mandate from 2022, this shift aims to elevate the baseline security standards for software used in government operations.
– **Verification Mechanisms**:
– The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will play a crucial role in validating these security attestations from vendors.
– Should a vendor fail to meet security requirements, the Office of the National Cyber Director may refer cases to the Attorney General for further investigation.
– **Guidance Development by the Department of Commerce**: Over the next eight months, the Department of Commerce will assess prevalent cyber practices in the business community and create mandatory guidelines for companies aiming to secure government contracts.
– **Updates to Standards**: The directive initiates updates to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) guidance regarding secure software development, reinforcing best practices and compliance.
Key Implications for Security and Compliance Professionals:
– **Enhanced Compliance Requirements**: Organizations that wish to contract with the government must proactively adapt to these new requirements, potentially leading to increased costs and operational changes.
– **Focus on Secure Development Lifecycle**: The emphasis on secure software development will require companies to reassess their development processes, potentially leading to heightened scrutiny during the software development lifecycle.
– **Possible Legal Ramifications**: The inclusion of possible legal action for non-compliance could motivate organizations to prioritize cybersecurity more strongly, knowing that failures could result in significant consequences.
This executive order represents an evolving landscape in cybersecurity governance, which security and compliance professionals must closely monitor as new requirements may spawn additional regulations and standards across industry sectors.