[ad_1]
A senior cybersecurity adviser to President Biden acknowledged on Wednesday that vulnerabilities in America’s critical infrastructure are forcing the federal government to rethink its response to cyberattacks.
Anne NeubergerThe Aspen Institute, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, told the security forum that it knew there were “security gaps across our critical infrastructure” when the federal government was responding to hostile cyber activity, such as hacking and ransomware attacks.
HE He stressed that the gaps represent a factor, not a limitation, in the menu of options the federal government examines when considering how to respond to a cyber attacker.
“The most effective way to deal with ransomware and other disruptive cyber activity from within a country’s borders is under that country’s leadership – shaping its expectations and accounts,” he said. Neuberger I told the forum. “And I think you’ve seen the president do it in a very thoughtful way. her personal engagements, engagements He “Our country has built on interagency and also national resilience in this approach, involving allies and partners, and making it clear that other options will be considered.”
Critics of Mr. Biden have encouraged stronger retaliatory attacks against cyber-attackers, but Mrs. Biden. Neuberger He said the administration is focused on keeping the nation safe in cyberspace and thinking about a “long game”.
HE He said the government plans to achieve its cyberspace goals by developing international norms, deterrence by denying local systems, and enabling the government to defend itself.
Mr. Biden has repeatedly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer that cyberattacks, which U.S. officials say come from within Russia, will have the consequences of devastating actions in critical infrastructure and cyberspace.
Even some of Mr. Biden’s Democratic allies in Congress are fed up with the Biden administration’s cyber strategy and approach to critical infrastructure attacks. Last week, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island scolded the federal government for its failure to get key players to take cybersecurity seriously and confront the lack of “real standards” for security.
In June, Mr. Whitehouse and Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines proposed a bill directing the Department of Homeland Security to examine the benefits and risks of authorizing private entities to engage in offensive cyber action.
As the federal government debates the right response to attacks on critical infrastructure, Ms. Neuberger specified He He thought that Mr. Biden’s message that critical infrastructure was forbidden had been heard by potential adversaries.
He pointed to reported comments from BlackMatter, a new group of cybercriminals and the potential successor to ransomware gangs that have hit critical infrastructure. According to cyber intelligence firm Recorded Future, BlackMatter has pledged not to target certain industries, including critical infrastructure.
“We think we’ve seen a commitment and will look to see actions that follow that commitment,” Ms. Neuberger BlackMatter’s.
[ad_2]
Source link