The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently issued an advisory urging organizations to prioritize patching critical vulnerabilities and implementing multi-factor authentication as part of their cybersecurity compliance requirements under the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA). While this guidance is undoubtedly sound, some organizations may be tempted to take a more relaxed approach to compliance, assuming that slowing down their operations will reduce their risk profile. However, slowing down doesn’t help as much as you might think for CII compliance.
To understand why this is the case, it’s worth considering the nature of critical infrastructure and the risks that it faces. Critical infrastructure is defined as the systems and assets that are so vital to the United States that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on national security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Examples include transportation systems, communication networks, financial institutions, and energy production and distribution facilities.
Given the importance of critical infrastructure, it’s no surprise that it is a prime target for cyber attackers. A successful cyber-attack on a critical infrastructure system could have devastating consequences, ranging from power outages and transportation disruptions to financial losses and even loss of life.
This is where compliance with CISA comes into play. CISA is designed to improve the sharing of cybersecurity information between the public and private sectors, with the goal of improving the cybersecurity posture of critical infrastructure systems. The act requires organizations to implement a range of security measures, including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability assessments, and incident response plans.
So, where does the idea of slowing down come in? Some organizations may assume that reducing the speed and complexity of their systems will make them less vulnerable to cyber attacks. For example, an organization might choose to delay the implementation of a new software system or limit the number of employees who have access to critical infrastructure systems.
While these measures may seem like a sensible approach to reducing risk, they can actually have the opposite effect. Slowing down can make it more difficult to detect and respond to cyber-attacks. A slower system may not be able to detect an attack in real time, giving the attacker more time to infiltrate the system and cause damage. Additionally, limiting access to critical infrastructure systems can make it more difficult for authorized personnel to detect and respond to attacks.
Furthermore, slowing down operations can actually make compliance more difficult. For example, delaying the implementation of multi-factor authentication could make it harder to meet the compliance requirements under CISA. Similarly, failing to patch critical vulnerabilities promptly could result in non-compliance with CISA and other regulations.
Instead of slowing down, organizations should focus on implementing the security measures required under CISA as quickly and efficiently as possible. This means prioritizing the most critical vulnerabilities and ensuring that all necessary security controls are in place. It also means investing in the training and development of employees to ensure that they are aware of the latest threats and how to respond to them.
Of course, compliance with CISA is just one aspect of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Organizations should also implement a range of other security measures, such as network segmentation, encryption, and data backup and recovery. By taking a holistic approach to cybersecurity, organizations can reduce their risk profile and ensure that they are prepared to respond to any cyber threats that may arise.
Slowing down operations is not an effective strategy for reducing the risk of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure systems. Instead, organizations should prioritize compliance with CISA and other cybersecurity regulations, implement the necessary security measures as quickly and efficiently as possible, and take a holistic approach to cybersecurity. By doing so, they can ensure that their critical infrastructure systems are as secure as possible and prepared to withstand any cyber threats that may come their way.
