Action comes in response to Solar Winds cyberattack.
In mid-December, the U.S. learned that a hacking campaign had used a U.S. tech company as a springboard to compromise a raft of government agencies. The Microsoft president called it the “largest and most sophisticated attack the world has ever seen.” The government said it was likely orchestrated by Russian software made by SolarWinds Corp.
On Thursday, Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology at the White House, said a presidential executive order is being prepared that will focus on helping the nation protect itself from future cyberattacks. The order, as now written, includes requirements that companies who conduct business with the government will be instructed to follow.
“So essentially, federal government procurement allows us to say, if you’re doing business with the federal government, here’s a set of things you need to comply with in order to do business with us,” she said.
Specifically, the order lays out standards for software development and initiatives to expand systematic investigations that look into cyber events. The order is centered on the idea that changes in the federal contracting process will “trickle down” reforms to the remainder of the private sector.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and Congress as cybersecurity is addressed.
- For cyber engineers who work to try to stay ahead of hackers who invade public and private systems.
- For wisdom for the president’s administration as the upcoming executive order on cybersecurity is crafted.
Sources: Reuters, The Hill
