CISA: A Year of Growth and Collaboration

2024-12-27

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) experienced a year of significant growth and transition in 2024, according to its departing Director, Jen Easterly. This period saw a heightened focus on collaborative efforts with industry partners, state and local governments, and the election stakeholder community. CISA’s 2024 Year in Review details numerous initiatives aimed at strengthening these crucial partnerships and enhancing cybersecurity across various sectors.

Key Achievements:

Pre-Ransomware Notification Initiative (PRNI): CISA issued over 2,100 PRNI notifications in 2024, alerting organizations of potential ransomware attacks. This initiative proved highly effective in mitigating cyber threats to critical infrastructure sectors like education, healthcare, and government.
Vulnerability Management: CISA mitigated over 1,200 vulnerable devices, blocked 1.26 billion malicious connections, and remediated over 861 vulnerabilities. The agency also released 427 vulnerability advisories and coordinated 845 vulnerability disclosures.
International Collaboration: CISA engaged in over 45 capacity development engagements with 15 partner nations, leveraging over $400,000 in interagency funds to enhance international cybersecurity cooperation.
Secure by Design Program: This initiative expanded significantly in 2024, with 250 software manufacturers committing to the Secure by Design Pledge. CISA also released updated guidance for software manufacturers and consumers, emphasizing the importance of security by design principles.
Cyber Storm Exercises: CISA conducted Cyber Storm IX, a large-scale exercise involving over 2,200 participants from government, industry, and international partners. This exercise simulated a nation-state-sponsored cyberattack, enhancing preparedness for significant cyber incidents.
Election Security: CISA played a crucial role in securing the 2024 US Elections, providing security training, strengthening election infrastructure, and disseminating critical security guidance through the Protect2024 portal.
International Strategic Plan: CISA released its first International Strategic Plan, outlining its vision for international collaboration in cybersecurity through 2026. This plan prioritizes securing AI systems and strengthening partnerships with key allies.

What Undercode Says:

CISA’s 2024 activities demonstrate a significant shift towards proactive and collaborative cybersecurity. The emphasis on industry partnerships, international cooperation, and proactive threat intelligence gathering is crucial in addressing the evolving cyber threat landscape.

The success of the PRNI program highlights the importance of timely threat intelligence sharing and proactive mitigation strategies. By proactively alerting organizations to potential threats, CISA empowers them to take necessary precautions and minimize the impact of cyberattacks.

The Secure by Design program represents a significant step towards shifting the responsibility for cybersecurity upstream. By encouraging software manufacturers to prioritize security in the development process, CISA aims to reduce the number of vulnerabilities in software and improve overall system security.

CISA’s focus on securing AI systems is particularly noteworthy. As AI technologies become increasingly prevalent, it is crucial to address the potential security and safety risks associated with their development and deployment. CISA’s collaboration with international partners in this area is essential for developing effective safeguards and best practices for secure AI development.

The 2024 Year in Review demonstrates

However, challenges remain. The rapid pace of technological change, the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, and the growing reliance on interconnected systems necessitate ongoing innovation and adaptation. CISA must continue to invest in research and development, cultivate a highly skilled workforce, and leverage emerging technologies to maintain its effectiveness in the face of evolving threats.