This Week in Critical Infrastructure we have reports on federal IT and cybersecurity policy, guidance for private-sector entities in shoring up defenses for cyber intrusion attempts and natural disasters, and other reports from cybersecurity experts and the water sector.
Spending Deal Boosts Funds for DHS Office Securing Cyber Infrastructure
Morgan Chalfant from The Hill reports that the federal budget deal reached in Congress will designate $1.8 billion to the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate, which is a $183 million increase over FY 2016 and includes $1.4 billion allocated specifically to DHS cybersecurity efforts.
What CISOs Need To Know About The State Of Cybersecurity
From Forbes, Alexander Polyakov provide a helpful overview of some key cybersecurity issues businesses should keep on their radar, including insider threats, attacks on applications, and data protection.
The Promises and Perils of Emerging Technologies for Cybersecurity
From the Brookings Lawfare blog, Herb Lin discusses some of the leading cybersecurity challenges facing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing.
Water Infrastructure Investment Gets Boost from EPA
The EPA has received 43 letters of interest from prospective borrowers for its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program to update the domestic water infrastructure system. This program is a private-public partnership intended to provide an estimated $1 billion in credit assistance to finance water infrastructure investments.
Cybersecurity Has a Serious Talent Shortage. Here’s How to Fix It
Marc van Zadelhoff, writing for the Harvard Business Review, provides guidance for countering the current workforce shortage in the cybersecurity labor market with measures like improving outreach programs, building local cybersecurity ecosystems, and a renewed focus on continuous learning and upskilling for new employees.
A Guide to Business Continuity Planning in the Face of Natural Disasters
For CSO from IDG, Jonathan Wackrow discusses some key steps, through planning and implementation, that a business can take to prepare for natural disasters and ensure continuity of business when unexpected disruptions strike.
Nearly Half of Federal IT Managers Report Breach in Last Six Months: Research
Morgan Chalfant from The Hill reports on recent findings from a BeyondTrust survey that found over half of federal IT professionals have faced a breach attempt in the last six months. One in eight of these respondents reported facing a cyber attack in the preceding 30 days.