More than ever, with the rash of ransomware attacks, cybersecurity is a top concern at TAG. With foresight and vision, TAG created the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC) to bring a private sector perspective to influence the current national policy discussions about cybersecurity and our critical infrastructure.
Many people have asked me about the Biden Administration’s Executive Order signed last month on improving the nation’s cybersecurity. The order implements seven major cybersecurity requirements, beginning with certain mandatory breach reporting requirements for technology providers.
You can find a brief guide to complying with the president’s order, issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Major points include:
● facilitating information sharing with the private sector;
● modernizing federal security standards;
● improving supply chain security;
● improving incident detection on Federal networks; and
● creating a Cyber Review Board modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board.
All of these measures will impact our members in the private sector as they navigate the innovation economy, so we’ll be watching closely as plans take shape.
Another update of interest is the TSA’s announcement of a Security Directive, following the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline that shut down energy supplies on the East Coast for a while. This directive increases accountability for pipeline operators everywhere in the country.
That’s not all that’s happening on this busy front. The NTSC is tracking various measures in Congress to bolster cybersecurity and block hackers.
TAG is also partnering with the Georgia Cyber Center. We’re enabling companies to secure their Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) that the U.S. Department of Defense will require in the near future. Cybersecurity is an area where Georgia leads, and you can read more in our Ecosystem Report.
Clearly, in the face of intensifying criminal threats, these actions are appropriate, and more is needed—the sooner the better. In the past few weeks, cybercriminals have attacked meat packing businesses, hospitals, insurers, a ferry system, and other critical enterprises worldwide.
Next week I look forward to joining our Board of Directors to welcome Dr. Joye Purser, the new Regional Director for CISA at the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Purser has an important role and we’ll work together to secure our cybernetworks and critical infrastructure.
Rest assured; TAG is laser-focused on these developments in partnership with the NTSC and other groups. I’m encouraged to see the public and private sectors working together taking proactive and bold action to protect the innovation economy.
Have a great weekend,
Larry K. Williams
President & CEO, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
