Published on: January 9, 2025
President Joe Biden is preparing to sign a second cybersecurity executive order, aiming to strengthen federal defenses following a term marked by significant cyberattacks. High-profile incidents, including the SolarWinds breach and ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, have highlighted vulnerabilities across federal systems. This order aims to modernize the government’s cybersecurity practices and address emerging threats.
Central to the order is an update to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Circular A-130, which governs federal information resource management. Changes will reflect advancements in technology, including the need for post-quantum cryptography and AI security standards. The order also reinforces prior mandates on zero trust architecture, cloud security, and phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication. Federal agencies will be required to meet enhanced endpoint detection and encryption standards.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is poised to take on a larger role in agency threat detection, a provision that has sparked both support and concern. Advocates argue that CISA’s expanded authority will improve coordination and response times during attacks, creating a unified defense strategy across government systems. Critics, however, caution that centralizing such oversight could introduce risks, such as system-wide disruptions if a failure occurs at the core.
Additionally, the order emphasizes software security, building on previous efforts to implement secure-by-design principles. Vendors providing software to the federal government will face stricter requirements, aimed at preventing supply chain vulnerabilities like those exploited in the SolarWinds attack. Federal agencies will also be tasked with strengthening security measures for cloud services and ensuring compliance with zero-trust principles.
Although the new measures are ambitious, they face challenges in implementation, particularly given the late timing of the administration. Critics question whether agencies can meet the updated requirements within a compressed timeline. However, supporters view the order as a necessary step to protect critical systems and address the growing complexity of cyber threats.
As Biden prepares to leave office, this order could serve as a cornerstone for future cybersecurity policies, setting a precedent for more robust defenses. While its full impact remains to be seen, the focus on modernization and enhanced coordination signals a commitment to improving the resilience of federal networks.