The Biden administration has introduced a cybersecurity executive order aimed at enhancing security standards for companies working with the government
Washington, DC: So, the Biden administration just dropped a new executive order on cybersecurity. It’s all about tightening up security for companies that sell to the government. They want to make sure these companies are following better practices.
Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security advisor, mentioned that this move is to “strengthen America’s digital foundations.” Sounds pretty important, right? Cyberattacks have been on the rise, causing a lot of headaches for federal agencies and businesses alike.
We’ve seen some big ransomware attacks lately, like the ones on Change Healthcare and the Colonial Pipeline. Even Microsoft reported that Chinese hackers got into U.S. officials’ email accounts. That’s a big deal!
Under this new order, companies will need to prove their software development practices are secure. They’ll have to show evidence of this on a government website, which is a nice touch for transparency.
Also, the General Services Administration will create policies to help cloud providers share info on secure operations. It’s all about keeping things safe and sound.
And here’s something interesting: the White House recently announced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark. Starting in 2027, the government will only buy internet-connected devices that carry this label. It’s a way to help consumers make better choices.
Lastly, the order tells the National Institute for Standards and Technology to come up with guidelines for software updates. Remember the SolarWinds hack? Yeah, they’re trying to prevent that from happening again.
It’s still up in the air whether the next administration will stick with this order, but for now, it’s a step towards better cybersecurity.
