Joe Biden even made a full-scale executive order to upgrade the US cybersecurity system in the last days of his presidency. This executive order (Executive Order on Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity) addresses the rise in the number and sophistication of cyber attacks against federal government entities and national infrastructure. The order imposes cybersecurity requirements on government contractors, makes sanctions easier for foreign cyber criminals, and encourages the use of high-end technology to protect national security.
This executive order is the result of a series of public cyber attacks that have revealed many vulnerabilities in the nation’s digital infrastructure. Especially China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are states where sponsored groups were able to hack sensitive information and interfere with vital services. For example, the “Silk Typhoon” team (connected to China) has perpetrated attacks against the U.S. telecom and financial industries.
These cyber campaigns have had significant consequences, including:
These attacks make it essential to have a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that can spot threats early and mitigate them. That executive order will build just such a system through tight cybersecurity policies and building the government’s ability to fight against hacking.
The executive order builds upon previous measures, such as Executive Order 14028 from May 12, 2021, and the initiatives detailed in the National Cybersecurity Strategy. It aims to improve the nation’s cybersecurity by focusing on three main areas:
The EO fixes exploits of third-party software by:
The portion addresses making federal agencies safer by:
The EO will make federal communications more secure by:
To combat identity fraud and cybercrime, the EO:
The EO attempts explicitly to protect against ransomware attacks by:
The EO calls for cutting-edge technology for cybersecurity:
The order will attempt to fix the problem with software vendors by:
The executive order carries significant implications for both the government and businesses. It introduces higher security standards for government contractors, software engineers, and cloud providers when working with federal agencies, driving the need for enhanced cybersecurity practices. Consumer safety is also prioritized, with the introduction of digital IDs and “Yes/No” validation mechanisms aimed at reducing identity fraud in public benefit programs and improving protections within the industry. Additionally, the order enforces greater accountability, requiring program developers to take more responsibility for the security of their products, which may lead to improved cybersecurity across the market. It promotes the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, endpoint detection, and encryption, setting the stage for transformative progress in cybersecurity. Finally, the focus on securing third-party software supply chains underscores the importance of thorough vetting and robust security measures throughout the software lifecycle, potentially elevating overall resilience in the digital ecosystem.
The executive order sets lofty objectives to strengthen national cybersecurity, but implementing it comes with some pitfalls and caveats. The timeline issue is huge because many of the requirements go well beyond the current administration, which has people questioning if the change will happen in the timeframe that is promised. Not only that, but it’s heading into the Trump Administration soon, so the future of the order is uncertain. Depending on how it is going to secure the future government, it could retain, revise, or repeal the directive.
These exact requirements for software vendors and cloud providers present the industry with problems of acclimatization. These providers might need to make some significant development and security changes, which will add expenses and delay product launches. Also, even though the order points towards the use of new technologies such as AI to improve cybersecurity, it’s essential to weigh these changes against the desire to foster innovation for smaller companies who might feel that the transition is a hassle.
Another is international collaboration. Cyber attacks are a global threat, and so the success of this executive order may rest on compliance with cybersecurity requirements in each country. Finally, the push for digital identity documents and verification services will have to be moderated to account for privacy and ensure personal data isn’t misused. Such considerations illustrate the difficulty of carrying out such a comprehensive program and the need for balance.
President Biden’s Executive Order on Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity is a holistic and progressive response to the United States’ many cybersecurity issues. The order would establish a more secure and resilient digital environment through work on the security of the software supply chain, federal system improvements, and cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
However, the order’s effect will be determined entirely by how it is enacted, which will become unclear with the imminent transition of power. The next Trump administration will have a significant role in deciding whether to keep, change, or even withdraw the order.
Regardless of what they might alter, the executive order is a precedent for cybersecurity norms and practices in government and industry. It points to the imperative for continual improvement and new solutions in cybersecurity measures to evolve with threats.
With the rapid change of the digital age, the values and purposes of this executive order are likely to hold true. This emphasis on emerging technologies like AI or quantum cryptography represents an outlook that’s in the forward-looking phase where the cybersecurity landscape is ever-changing.
In the end, it will ultimately be a joint effort between the government, the private sector, and cybersecurity experts. Properly securing the nation’s digital assets and critical infrastructure from more advanced cyber-attacks will require constant effort, funding, and agility.
