Biden signed an executive order to strengthen the United States’ cyber defense practices
Ransomware attacks are on the rise and we are feeling the strong impact of them. Many people have been experiencing a gasoline shortage after a ransomware attack on the fuel pipeline. There have also been other sophisticated malicious cyber incidents such as SolarWinds and Microsoft Exchange.
Ransomware is an ever-evolving form of malware designed to encrypt files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable. Malicious actors then demand ransom in exchange for decryption. Looking to learn more about this growing cyber threat? The Ransomware Guide is a great place to start.
“I think we have to make a greater investment in education as it relates to being able to train and graduate more people proficient in cybersecurity,” said Biden
Cybersecurity can impact every aspect of our life in one way or another. It is so important for federal officials to take an active role in managing private companies’ cyber defense systems after high-profile breaches and ransomware incidents impacted increasingly significant numbers of people. Cybersecurity needs to be top of mind for all businesses.
These ransomware incidents have targeted higher profile targets and key infrastructure.
“Recent cybersecurity incidents such as SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange, and the Colonial Pipeline incident are a sobering reminder that U.S. public and private sector entities increasingly face sophisticated malicious cyber activity from both nation-state actors and cyber criminals,” the White House fact sheet says.
The executive order requires IT providers to share information about breaches impacting the federal government and removing any barriers that would prevent someone from getting government assistance in the event of a hack. The Biden administration will also create a cybersecurity safety review board that will be government-led with private sector partners and a standard playbook and logging system for when private corporations or the national sector are hacked.
The administration’s goal is not only to boost federal defenses but also to use the purchasing power of the government to get those higher standards to trickle down to the private sector. The Biden administration will also create a cybersecurity safety review board that will be government-led with private sector partners and a standard playbook and logging system for when private corporations or the national sector are hacked.
Do you want to help fight against Ransomware? Here are some certifications you could start with.
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