The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency made a key push for partnerships with the 2021 establishment of the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, an organization that brings public and private sector entities together to help CISA determine future priorities to ensure the security of U.S. systems.
At the Potomac Officers Club’s 2024 Cyber Summit on June 6, you will have the opportunity to hear from key cyber experts who will come together to share their thoughts on the current cybersecurity landscape. Last year’s iteration of the event featured CISA Chief Acquisition Executive David Patrick, who offered the agency’s viewpoint on cyber challenges and opportunities in a keynote address. To learn more and register to attend the 2024 Cyber Summit, click here.
An important characteristic of the JCDC’s approach is that its objectives do not come from just CISA, but “reflect shared goals across government, industry, and international partners that will enable cohesive planning and collaboration,” and since its creation, the JCDC has consistently transformed its strategy for identifying top focus areas across the complete cyber ecosystem.
Last year, the organization released its 2023 Planning Agenda, which set systemic risk, collective cyber response and high-risk communities as major priorities. Specific goals included evaluating open source software and updating the National Cyber Incident Response Plan.
Initially released in 2016, the NCIRP aims to define the roles of industry, state and local governments and federal agencies in coming together to respond to cyberattacks.
Last week, the JCDC continued its evolution with the release of its 2024 Priorities list, which is built around three main objectives: defending against advanced persistent threat operations; raising the cybersecurity baseline; and anticipating emerging technology risks. It also extends goals put in place by the 2023 Planning Agenda, with finalizing the NCIRP being noted as a focus area.
Another objective included in the 2024 Priorities list is addressing cyberthreats posed by China, and JCDC has already been involved in CISA’s collaborative efforts to address these issues.
Earlier this month, CISA uncovered a hacking group known as Volt Typhoon working to breach U.S. critical infrastructure systems. According to CISA Director and 2024 Wash100 awardee Jen Easterly, who testified before the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, the JCDC was tasked with driving “robust operational collaboration across government and industry focused on uncovering additional Chinese malicious cyber activity and developing new ways to prevent Chinese intrusions” following the discovery of Volt Typhoon.
A testament to the JCDC’s emphasis on collaboration, the organization worked alongside fellow U.S. agencies as well as government departments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to issue a warning about the hacking group.
Don’t miss your chance to learn more about U.S. government efforts to secure critical infrastructure systems! Secure your spot at the 2024 Cyber Summit here.
