Source URL: https://anchore.com/blog/2025-cybersecurity-executive-order/
Source: Anchore
Title: 2025 Cybersecurity Executive Order Requires Up Leveled Software Supply Chain Security
Feedly Summary: A few weeks ago, the Biden administration published a new Executive Order (EO) titled “Executive Order on Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity”. This is a follow-up to the original cybersecurity executive order—EO 14028—from May 2021. This latest EO specifically targets improvements to software supply chain security that addresses gaps and challenges that […]
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AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text outlines the 2025 Cybersecurity Executive Order (EO) issued by the Biden administration, which significantly tightens regulations around software supply chain security. This EO serves as a response to previous shortcomings in compliance and aims to enhance accountability for software vendors supplying the federal government. The detailed measures and implications for compliance within security practices are essential for professionals in AI, cloud, and infrastructure security sectors.
Detailed Description:
The 2025 Cybersecurity Executive Order is a critical development in the landscape of software supply chain security, particularly relevant for security and compliance professionals. The focus is on addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring that software vendors adhere rigorously to secure development practices. Here are the major points highlighted in the text:
– **Background and Motivation**:
– The EO builds upon EO 14028 from May 2021, aiming to strengthen software supply chain security amidst increasing incidents of supply chain attacks, notably from state-sponsored threat actors.
– The EO necessitates comprehensive software bill of materials (SBOMs) and the formulation of secure software development practices by NIST.
– **Key Changes Introduced**:
1. **Rigorous Verification**:
– CISA will no longer rely on vendor self-attestations; an explicit verification process will be implemented.
2. **Legal Consequences**:
– Non-compliance could lead to referrals to the Department of Justice by CISA for fraudulent attestations.
3. **Contractual Obligations**:
– The FAR Council will modify contracts to require proven SSDF compliance, holding vendors accountable.
4. **Mandatory Supply Chain Risk Management**:
– Federal agencies are mandated to enforce agency-wide supply chain risk management strategies.
– **Other Important Updates**:
– NIST will update relevant compliance controls (NIST SP 800-53 and SSDF), incorporating more detailed requirements.
– A pilot program for “policy-as-code” is introduced aiming to automate compliance, which aligns with current DevSecOps practices.
– Updates to FedRAMP, related to cloud service providers, will ensure better security protocols for cryptographic key management.
– **Action Steps for Federal Agencies and Software Vendors**:
– Federal agencies must carry out inventory assessments, risk evaluations for 3rd-party components, and prepare for new compliance environments.
– Software vendors are advised to critically assess their supply chains, implement visibility tools, and prepare documentation for compliance.
– **Conclusion**:
– The 2025 Cybersecurity EO significantly alters the compliance landscape and reinforces the government’s stance on enhancing cybersecurity protocols. The proactive steps outlined are vital for organizations that work with or supply services to federal agencies. By being prepared now, stakeholders can effectively navigate the new regulatory framework.
This executive order represents a noteworthy shift towards more stringent requirements in cybersecurity, which can be critical for maintaining the integrity and security of government operations and, by extension, national security.