Your CISA Report Checklist: How to Build Your CISA Goals Risk & Resilience Report

In an era where digital technology and transformations are in motion for public utilities, cybersecurity is the core paramount concern. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a U.S. federal agency, stands at the forefront of this battle, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats. This blog aims to delve into the goals set by CISA, shedding light on how they strive to secure the digital realm, protect the interests of organizations, and help entities like utilities to secure their IT and OT infrastructures.

CISA has established a set of robust cross-sector cybersecurity goals aimed at fortifying the nation’s digital landscape. These include:

1. Risk Management: Identify and assess risk to drive prioritized efforts.
2. Capability Development: Develop and implement new cybersecurity capabilities as technology and threats evolve.
3. Incident Response: Improve incident response capabilities through regular training and testing exercises.
4. Recovery Efforts: Establish a recovery protocol to quickly restore critical functions after a cyber incident.
5. Information Sharing: Promote information sharing to create a collective defense against cyber threats.
6. Cybersecurity Awareness: Increase public awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and promote safe online behavior.

CISA & NIST

CISA’s goals align harmoniously with the guidelines established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework, a voluntary set of standards and best practices designed to manage cybersecurity risk, echoes CISA’s approach. The categories within the Framework—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—correspond to CISA’s goals of Risk Management, Capability Development, Incident Response, Recovery Efforts, and Information Sharing. Moreover, NIST’s emphasis on cybersecurity awareness parallels CISA’s own commitment to cultivating a cybersecurity-aware public. Thus, the synchrony between these two entities underscores a unified, strategic effort to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

Goals Checklist: Ready for Download

For those interested in further fortifying their own cybersecurity practices, the CISA CPG Checklist is a valuable resource. IN short, they’ve already done your homework for you by offering comprehensible guidance on implementing robust cybersecurity measures, tailored according to the principles discussed above. The checklist is readily available for download in a user-friendly PDF format. Simply visit the CISA’s official website and navigate to the ‘Resources’ section to obtain your copy. Remember, every step towards improved cybersecurity is a stride towards a smoother digital transformation experience and the protection of continuous operational uptimes.

In conclusion, whether you’re an individual or a utility company, cybersecurity is of paramount importance in our ever-connected, digital world. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offer a unified strategy aimed at bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Emphasizing the goals of Risk Management, Capability Development, Incident Response, Recovery Efforts, and Information Sharing, their approach is especially pertinent to utilities. These entities handle sensitive data and operate essential services, making them primary targets for cyber threats. By adhering to the guidelines and utilizing resources such as CISA’s CPG Checklist, utilities can significantly fortify their cybersecurity practices, ensuring a safer digital future for us all.

Blue Ridge Networks, Inc. stands ready to assist utilities with establishing their Zero-Trust network environments. As a Gartner-recognized vendor in ICS/OT network security, we offer our unique CyberCloak™ capabilities to protect your critical assets, data, and operations.

Cybersecurity Checklist: CISA Risk and Resilience Performance Goals

1. Risk Management
   • Identify and classify risks
   • Establish risk management strategies
   • Implement risk monitoring system
2. Capability Development
   • Identify required cybersecurity capabilities
   • Develop or improve these capabilities
   • Regularly evaluate and update capabilities
3. Incident Response
   • Create an incident response plan
   • Train staff on incident response procedures
   • Conduct regular incident response drills
4. Recovery Efforts
   • Develop and implement a recovery plan
   • Backup vital systems and data regularly
   • Test recovery plan regularly
5. Information Sharing
   • Establish secure information sharing channels
   • Regularly disseminate cybersecurity information
   • Encourage the sharing of information among all stakeholders

Download this checklist as a PDF

Note: This checklist is meant to serve as a guide. Some items may not be applicable depending on the specific context of your utility. Always consult with a cybersecurity professional when implementing these guidelines.