The United States may finally be getting the cybersecurity collaboration it needs between the public and private sectors.
President Biden met yesterday with top executives from the nation's largest tech companies—including Amazon, Microsoft, and Google— to discuss the current state of cybersecurity and what can be done moving forward.
The U.S. has struggled with its cyber capabilities in recent years. Attacks on critical infrastructure, such as SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline, have highlighted the need for the U.S. to bolster its cybersecurity. These kinds of attacks can have very serious, real world consequences, and something must be done to prevent any more damaging attacks.
Many security professionals argue that one of the keys to improving the country's defenses against cyberattacks is increased collaboration between the government and big tech companies. We've been hearing this for years at SecureWorld conferences. After the recent meeting at the White House, it appears we have taken one big step forward in realizing that collaboration.
Both Democrats and Republicans have been highly critical of Big Tech. Could this turn things around?
Many of the organizations involved in the meeting have already made major announcements for plans to help further develop cybersecurity in the U.S.
A big challenge the country currently faces is that there are reportedly 500,000 vacant jobs in the cybersecurity industry, but that could change in the coming years.
According to a fact sheet from the White House, here are highlights of the new initiatives:
"The Biden Administration announced that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will collaborate with industry and other partners to develop a new framework to improve the security and integrity of the technology supply chain."
"The Biden Administration also announced the formal expansion of the Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Initiative to a second major sector: natural gas pipelines."
"Apple announced it will establish a new program to drive continuous security improvements throughout the technology supply chain."
"Google announced it will invest $10 billion over the next five years to expand zero-trust programs, help secure the software supply chain, and enhance open-source security. Google also announced it will help 100,000 Americans earn industry-recognized digital skills certificates that provide the knowledge that can lead to secure high-paying, high-growth jobs. "
"IBM announced it will train 150,000 people in cybersecurity skills over the next three years, and will partner with more than 20 Historically Black Colleges & Universities to establish Cybersecurity Leadership Centers to grow a more diverse cyber workforce."
"Microsoft announced it will invest $20 billion over the next 5 years to accelerate efforts to integrate cybersecurity by design and deliver advanced security solutions."
"Amazon announced it will make available to the public at no charge the security awareness training it offers its employees."
"Resilience, a cyber insurance provider, announced it will require policy holders to meet a threshold of cybersecurity best practice as a condition of receiving coverage."
"Coalition, a cyber insurance provider, announced it will make its cybersecurity risk assessment & continuous monitoring platform available for free to any organization."
"Code.org announced it will teach cybersecurity concepts to over 3 million students across 35,000 classrooms over three years, to teach a diverse population of students how to stay safe online, and to build interest in cybersecurity as a potential career."
"Girls Who Code announced it will establish a micro credentialing program for historically excluded groups in technology. The program will make scholarships and early career opportunities more accessible to underrepresented groups."
For more information on new cybersecurity initiatives, see the fact sheet from the White House.