Looming Deadline Causes Concern Among America's Cybersecurity Protectors
In the digital age, the protection of the nation's critical systems in cyberspace has become a national and economic security imperative. Two key programs, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015 and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, are currently facing a crucial deadline.
The CISA, a legislative act enabling private sector companies to share information with federal agencies during an attack, was built on the premise that security is a shared responsibility, with the federal government playing a key role. This act has been instrumental in strengthening the nation's cyber defenses since its inception.
China, however, poses a significant threat. Reports suggest that China has broken into nine of the largest U.S. phone networks and targeted 80 nations, with a focus on internet-connected devices to infiltrate more of the nation's critical systems and companies. These attacks, collectively known as The Typhoons, pose a significant threat to companies, governments, and the federal government.
China's actions allow it to syphon off a vast amount of data and intelligence on almost every American, a concerning development that underscores the importance of these cybersecurity programs.
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which funds cybersecurity projects across 33 states, is a vital resource for state and local governments to improve their cyber defenses. This program has funded 839 projects, but without federal funding, midsized counties, publicly-owned hospitals, schools, and municipalities are effectively left on their own to face cyberattacks from nation-states or ransomware gangs.
Lawmakers in both chambers and across party lines have shown support for these programs. Last week, there was bipartisan committee support to extend the needed liability protections for an additional ten years.
The Trump administration has also called on the private sector and state governments to take a larger role in our collective cybersecurity. The administration's nominee for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Sean Plankey, has voiced strong support for both the CISA and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Without the extension of these programs, the U.S. could be leaving itself vulnerable to cyberattacks, potentially with devastating consequences. As the deadline approaches, it is crucial that Congress acts to prevent the collapse of these pillars of America's cyber defense. For smaller jurisdictions, federal partnerships are essential to harden their systems against cyberattacks.
Protecting the nation's critical systems in cyberspace is not just a technical issue; it is a matter of national security. The extension of these programs is more cost-effective than trying to pick up the pieces from cyberattacks, according to Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). As the deadline looms, it is up to Congress to ensure the continued protection of the nation's digital infrastructure.
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