This Week in Critical Infrastructure we bring the latest infrastructure policy news from the United States surrounding the Trump Administrations continued calls for a $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan, as well as cybersecurity news from Russia and Australia.
White House Says Foreign Investment Key to Infrastructure Plan
For The Hill, Melanie Zanona writes on comments from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday that emphasize the important role of foreign investment in the $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan touted by President Trump. These investments will be part of the public-private partnership that the administration hopes will magnify a proposed $200 billion government funding over the next ten years.
Trump Pledges Rural Broadband Support in Infrastructure Package
Alan Bjerga from Bloomberg writes on statements from President Trump in Iowa this week that included a promise to include funding for expanded broadband access in rural communities.
Under Pressure, Western Tech Firms Bow to Russian Demands to Share Cyber Secrets
From Reuters, Joel Schectman, Dustin Volz, and Jack Stubbs write on demands from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) that tech companies allow their source code to be reviewed by Russian labs for security threats before being legally sold in the country. At least one firm, Symantec, has ceased cooperation with these reviews over concerns about connections between these labs and elements of the Russian government that have been accused of several high-profile cyber attacks in recent years, including interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Cyber Hack Near Miss Prompts Task Force
Dominica Sanda of the Australian Associated Press writes on the creation of a new cyber task force by the Australian government. This measure comes in the wake of three major cyber attacks in the past year and is just the latest step in efforts to address threats and vulnerabilities in Australian infrastructure.