by Crystal Mertes

Enhancing the nation’s cybersecurity resilience is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One year ago, newly appointed DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a call for action regarding cybersecurity designed to tackle immediate threats of ransomware. In a March 2021 address, Secretary Mayorkas outlined his vision and roadmap for DHS efforts to drive action and raise public awareness about cybersecurity priorities over the next year.

To confront the growing threat of cyberattacks, the DHS initiated a series of 60-day sprints to operationalize its vision:

• Ransomware (April 2021 and May 2021), focused on leveraging the Office of the Secretary to elevate the fight against ransomware, an increasingly devastating and costly form of malicious cyber activity that targets organizations of all sizes and across all sectors.
• Cybersecurity Workforce (July 2021 and August 2021), to build a more robust and a more diverse cybersecurity workforce.
• Industrial Control Systems (July 2021 and August 2021), driven by the White House Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Initiative, this sprint was designed to mobilize action to improve the resilience of industrial control systems.
• Cybersecurity and Transportation (September 2021 and October 2021), to increase the cyber resilience of the Nation’s transportation systems – from aviation to rail, pipelines, and the marine transport system.
• Election Security (November 2021 and December 2021), to cement the resilience of the Nation's democratic infrastructure and protect the integrity of its elections and, finally,
• International Cybersecurity (January 2022 and February 2022), to protect and operate in cyberspace, an inherently international effort.

To confront the growing threat of cyberattacks, DHS initiated a series of 60-day sprints to operationalize its vision

Understanding that most challenges require a more sustained effort than what can be accomplished within 60 days, the Office of the Secretary expected to elevate existing work to address each challenge, remove roadblocks that slow efforts and launch new initiatives and partnerships, where needed.

In addition to the 60-day sprints, DHS pledged a continued focus on four ongoing priorities, including:

1. Cementing the resilience of democratic institutions
2. Strengthening the protection of civilian Federal Government networks
3. Advancing a risk-based approach to supply chain security, and
4. Exploring new technologies to increase resilience, and preparing for strategic, on-the-horizon challenges and emerging technologies.

Of course, as cyber challenges become more complex, the need for robust and agile solutions to support the government in meeting these challenges will also increase – as will agency budgets for cybersecurity efforts. This vision and roadmap was just the beginning. DHS continues to provide updates on their efforts and advancements in their cybersecurity guidelines and collaborations as the work unfolds.

REFERENCES

DHS | Cybersecurity | https://www.dhs.gov/topic/cybersecurity

DHS | Cybersecurity News and Updates | https://www.dhs.gov/all-news-updates/170

DHS | Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas | https://www.dhs.gov/person/alejandro-mayorkas