Evaluate The Presidential Order Related To Strengthening

Evaluate Thepresidential Order That Relates To Strengthening Cybersec

Evaluate the Presidential Order that relates to strengthening cybersecurity that relates to critical infrastructure: Look at a real-world scenario and how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays into it. In the scenario, the United States will be hit by a large-scale, coordinated cyber attack organized by China. These attacks debilitate the functioning of government agencies, parts of the critical infrastructure, and commercial ventures. The IT infrastructure of several agencies are paralyzed, the electric grid in most of the country is shut down, telephone traffic is seriously limited and satellite communications are down (limiting the Department of Defense’s [DOD’s] ability to communicate with commands overseas). International commerce and financial institutions are also severely hit. Please explain how DHS should handle this situation. Note: Must cite or quote every sentence that comes from another source with a properly APA formatted citation, all of the authors last name and year.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Presidential Order aimed at strengthening cybersecurity in critical infrastructure is a strategic move by the U.S. government to bolster national security and resilience against cyber threats (Executive Office of the President, 2021). In the context of a large-scale cyber attack orchestrated by a foreign adversary such as China, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating a coordinated response to mitigate damage and restore essential services (DHS, 2022). This paper evaluates how DHS should respond to such a significant cyber event, considering the directives outlined in the Presidential Order and the real-world implications of cyber warfare on U.S. infrastructure.

Background on the Presidential Order

The Presidential Order on cybersecurity emphasizes the importance of enhancing the resilience and security of critical infrastructure sectors (Executive Office of the President, 2021). It mandates the adoption of advanced cybersecurity measures, information sharing protocols, and public-private partnerships to defend against cyber threats (National Security Agency [NSA], 2021). This order also directs federal agencies to develop comprehensive incident response plans and coordinate with private sector entities managing critical infrastructure components (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency [CISA], 2022).

The Role of DHS in Cybersecurity Defense

The Department of Homeland Security functions as the lead agency responsible for protecting federal networks, critical infrastructure, and coordinating domestic cybersecurity efforts (DHS, 2022). It operates the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is tasked with defending sector-specific assets and facilitating communication among government agencies and private firms (CISA, 2022). DHS's responsibilities include threat detection, incident response, information sharing, and recovery efforts during cyber crises (DHS, 2022).

Responding to the Scenario: A Coordinated Cyber Attack

In the face of a large-scale, coordinated cyber attack, DHS must first activate its national response framework to ensure rapid identification and containment of the threat (DHS, 2022). This involves deploying incident response teams that specialize in cyber threats to affected agencies and infrastructure sectors such as energy, communications, finance, and government systems (CISA, 2022). According to the Presidential Order, DHS should facilitate cross-sector information sharing to provide real-time intelligence on the attack's scope and origin (Executive Office of the President, 2021).

Further, DHS should coordinate with the federal agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement immediate mitigation strategies such as isolating compromised systems and patching vulnerabilities (FERC, 2022). Given the severity of the attack, DHS must also activate emergency communication channels to ensure continuous coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD), FBI, and international partners (DHS, 2022). This is critical to prevent escalation and to facilitate intelligence sharing with allied nations such as China, to attribute and neutralize the threat.

DHS’s role extends to assisting private sector entities managing critical infrastructure, encouraging them to implement contingency plans like backup systems and alternative communication channels (CISA, 2022). This approach aligns with the Presidential Order’s focus on resilience and redundancy within critical networks (Executive Office of the President, 2021). DHS may also coordinate societal alerts through the National Cyber Awareness System to inform the public and prevent panic (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2022).

Restoration and Long-term Strategies

After initial containment, DHS should lead efforts to restore affected infrastructure, working with private sector partners and state governments to repair compromised systems and prevent recurrence (DHS, 2022). The Presidential Order advocates for continuous monitoring, updating cybersecurity protocols, and implementing advanced detection systems such as artificial intelligence-based threat detection tools (NSA, 2021). DHS must also review the attack to identify vulnerabilities, improve cyber defenses, and adapt future strategies based on lessons learned (DHS, 2022).

Long-term strategies involve bolstering international cooperation to deter future attacks and conducting diplomatic engagements to strengthen cyber norms with rival nations like China (U.S. Department of State, 2021). Additionally, DHS should advocate for increased funding for research and development of innovative cybersecurity solutions and workforce training to ensure the department remains prepared for future threats (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2022).

Conclusion

In conclusion, DHS’s response to a large-scale cyber attack targeting critical infrastructure must be comprehensive, coordinated, and swift. Guided by the directives of the Presidential Order, DHS should facilitate information sharing, activate incident response teams, collaborate with private sector and international allies, and ensure rapid recovery and resilience. This strategic approach not only mitigates immediate risks but also strengthens the nation's defenses for future cybersecurity challenges, aligning with the overarching goal of the Presidential Order to secure America’s critical infrastructure against evolving threats (Executive Office of the President, 2021).

References

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2022). Cybersecurity protocols and best practices. https://www.cisa.gov

DHS. (2022). Role and responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov

Executive Office of the President. (2021). Presidential executive order on cybersecurity. https://www.whitehouse.gov

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2022). Guidelines for critical infrastructure resilience. https://www.ferc.gov

National Security Agency. (2021). Cyber threats and national security. https://www.nsa.gov

U.S. Department of State. (2021). International cooperation and cyber norms development. https://www.state.gov