Cybersecurity: Critical Infrastructure Authoritative Reports and Resources

March 8, 2016 (R44410)
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Summary

Critical infrastructure is defined in the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56, Sec. 1016(e)) as "systems and assets, physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters."

Presidential Decision Directive 63, or PDD-63, identified activities whose critical infrastructures should be protected: information and communications; banking and finance; water supply; aviation, highways, mass transit, pipelines, rail, and waterborne commerce; emergency and law enforcement services; emergency, fire, and continuity of government services; public health services; electric power, oil and gas production; and storage. In addition, the PDD identified four activities in which the federal government controls the critical infrastructure: (1) internal security and federal law enforcement; (2) foreign intelligence; (3) foreign affairs; and (4) national defense.

In February 2013, the Obama Administration issued PPD-21, Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, which superseded HSPD-7 issued during the George W. Bush Administration. PPD-21 made no major changes in policy, roles and responsibilities, or programs, but did order an evaluation of the existing public-private partnership model, the identification of baseline data and system requirements for efficient information exchange, the development of a situational awareness capability. PPD-21 also called for an update of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, and a new Research and Development Plan for Critical Infrastructure, to be updated every four years.

This report serves as a starting point for congressional staff assigned to cover cybersecurity issues as they relate to critical infrastructure. Much is written about protecting U.S. critical infrastructure, and this CRS report directs the reader to authoritative sources that address many of the most prominent issues. The annotated descriptions of these sources are listed in reverse chronological order with an emphasis on material published in the past several years. The report includes resources and studies from government agencies (federal, state, local, and international), think tanks, academic institutions, news organizations, and other sources.

The following CRS reports comprise a series that compiles authoritative reports and resources on these cybersecurity topics:

For access to additional CRS reports and other resources, see the Cybersecurity Issue Page at http://www.crs.gov.


Cybersecurity: Critical Infrastructure Authoritative Reports and Resources

Introduction

Critical infrastructure is defined in the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56, Sec. 1016(e)) as "systems and assets, physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters."1

Presidential Decision Directive 63 (or PDD-63) identified activities whose critical infrastructures should be protected:

In addition, PDD-63 identified four activities in which the federal government controls the critical infrastructure: (1) internal security and federal law enforcement; (2) foreign intelligence; (3) foreign affairs; and (4) national defense.

In February 2013, the Obama Administration issued PPD-21, the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience,2 which superseded HSPD-7 issued during the George W. Bush Administration. PPD-21 made no major changes in policy, roles and responsibilities, or programs, but did order an evaluation of the existing public-private partnership model, the identification of baseline data and system requirements for efficient information exchange, and the development of a situational awareness capability. PPD-21 also called for an update of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and a new Research and Development Plan for Critical Infrastructure, to be updated every four years.

This report serves as a starting point for congressional staff assigned to cover cybersecurity issues as they relate to critical infrastructure. Much is written about protecting U.S. critical infrastructure, and this CRS report directs the reader to authoritative sources that address many of the most prominent issues. The annotated descriptions of these sources are listed in reverse chronological order with an emphasis on material published in the last several years. This report includes resources and studies from government agencies (federal, state, local, and international), think tanks, academic institutions, news organizations, and other sources related to the following sectors:

Table 1. Overview Reports and Resources

Title

Source

Date

Notes

Critical Infrastructure Sectors (list)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Continuously Updated

There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof. The critical infrastructure sectors are chemical; commercial facilities; communications; critical manufacturing; dams; defense industrial base; emergency services; energy; financial services; food and agriculture; government facilities; health care and public health; information technology; nuclear reactors, materials, and waste; transportation Systems; and water and wastewater systems.

Incident Response/Vulnerability Coordination in 2014

Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS/CERT) Monitor

September 2014-February 2015

In FY2014, ICS-CERT received and responded to 245 incidents reported by asset owners and industry partners. The energy sector led all others with the most reported incidents—79. The critical manufacturing sector reported 65 incidents, some of which were from control systems equipment manufacturers. ICS-CERT's continuing partnership with industries provides many opportunities to share information and collaborate on incident response efforts (15 pages)

Critical Infrastructure Protection: DHS Action Needed to Enhance Integration and Coordination of Vulnerability Assessment Efforts

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

September 15, 2014

DHS used 10 different assessment tools and methods from FY2011 through FY2013 to assess critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. Four of the 10 assessments did not include cybersecurity. The differences in the assessment tools and methods mean DHS is not positioned to integrate its findings in identifying priorities. (82 pages)

Actions to Strengthen Cybersecurity and Protect Critical IT Systems

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

June 24, 2015

OPM lists 15 new steps and 23 ongoing actions to secure its computer networks. The agency plans to ask for additional funds for its IT budget next fiscal year. (8 pages)

Critical Infrastructure: Security Preparedness and Maturity

Unisys and the Ponemon Institute

July 2014

Unisys and the Ponemon Institute surveyed nearly 600 IT security executives of utility, energy, and manufacturing organizations. Overall, the report finds organizations are simply not prepared to deal with advanced cyber threats. Only half of companies have actually deployed IT security programs and, according to the survey, the top threat actually stems from negligent insiders. (34 pages)

Sector Risks Snapshots

DHS

May 2014

DHS's snapshots provide an introduction to the diverse array of critical infrastructure sectors, touching on some of the key threats and hazards concerning these sectors and highlighting the common, first-order dependencies and interdependencies between sectors. (52 pages)

Notice of Completion of Notification of Cyber-Dependent Infrastructure and Process for Requesting Reconsideration of Determinations of Cyber Criticality

DHS Programs Directorate

April 17, 2014

The Secretary of DHS has been directed to identify critical infrastructure in which a cybersecurity incident could reasonably result in catastrophic regional or national effects on public health or safety, economic security, or national security. In addition to identifying such infrastructure, the Secretary must confidentially notify the infrastructure's owners and operators and establish a mechanism through which entities can request reconsideration of that identification, whether inclusion of or exclusion from the list. The notice informs owners and operators of critical infrastructure that the confidential notification process is complete and describes the process for requesting reconsideration. (3 pages)

Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

February 12, 2014

The voluntary framework consists of customizable cybersecurity standards that can be adapted by various sectors and both large and small organizations. To encourage the private sector to fully adopt this framework, DHS launched the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community (C3)—or C-cubed—Voluntary Program. The C3 program gives companies that provide critical services such as cell phones, email, banking, and energy and state and local governments direct access to DHS cybersecurity experts within DHS who have knowledge about specific threats, ways to counter those threats, and how, over the long term, to design and build systems that are less vulnerable to cyber threats. (41 pages)

ITI Recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security Regarding its Work Developing a Voluntary Program Under Executive Order 163636, "Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity."

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)

February 11, 2014

ITI released a set of recommendations that suggest DHS prioritize outreach to raise awareness of the framework and the program as resources; carefully determine how "success" is to be demonstrated; de-emphasize the current focus on incentives; and partner with industry on all aspects of the program moving forward. (3 pages)

The Federal Government's Track Record on Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (Minority Staff)

February 4, 2014

Since 2006, the federal government has spent at least $65 billion on securing its computers and networks, according to an estimate by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). NIST, the government's official body for setting cybersecurity standards, has produced thousands of pages of precise guidance on every significant aspect of IT security. And yet the Senate report found that agencies—even those with responsibilities for critical infrastructure or vast repositories of sensitive data—continue to leave themselves vulnerable, often by failing to take the most basic steps toward securing their systems and information. (19 pages)

Computer Security Incident Coordination (CSIC): Providing Timely Cyber Incident Response

NIST

June 28, 2013

NIST is seeking information relating to CSIC as part of the research needed to compile a new supplemental publication to help computer security incident response teams (CSIRTs) coordinate effectively when responding to computer-security incidents. The NIST special publication will identify technical standards, methodologies, procedures, and processes that facilitate prompt and effective response. (3 pages)

Cyber Infrastructure Protection: Volume II

U.S. Army War College Press

May 2013

The book addresses such questions as how serious is the cyber threat? What technical and policy-based approaches are best suited to securing telecommunications networks and information systems infrastructure security? What role will government and the private sector play in homeland defense against cyberattacks on critical civilian infrastructure, financial, and logistical systems? What legal impediments exist concerning efforts to defend the nation against cyberattacks, especially in preventive, preemptive, and retaliatory actions? The book is the result of a two-day colloquium titled Cyber Security Infrastructure Protection, conducted in June 2011 by the Center of Information Networking and Telecommunications (CINT) at the Grove School of Engineering, the Colin Powell Center for Public Policy (both at the City University of New York, City College [CCNY]) and the Strategic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College. (279 pages)

Cybersecurity: The Nation's Greatest Threat to Critical Infrastructure

U.S. Army War College

March 2013

The paper provides a background on what constitutes national critical infrastructure and critical infrastructure protection; discusses the immense vulnerabilities, threats, and risks associated in the protection of critical infrastructure; and outlines governance and responsibilities of protecting vulnerable infrastructure. The paper makes recommendations for federal responsibilities and legislation to direct national critical infrastructure efforts to ensure national security, public safety, and economic stability. (38 pages)

NIPP 2013: Partnering for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

2013

The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) 2013 meets the requirements of Presidential Policy Directive-21, "Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience," signed in February 2013. The plan was developed through a collaborative process involving stakeholders from all 16 critical infrastructure sectors, all 50 states, and all levels of government and industry. It provides a clear call to action to leverage partnerships, innovate for risk management, and focus on outcomes. (57 pages)

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Cybersecurity Guidance Is Available, but More Can Be Done to Promote Its Use

GAO

December 9, 2011

According to GAO, given the plethora of cybersecurity guidance available, individual entities within the sectors may be challenged in identifying the guidance that is most applicable and effective in improving their security posture. Improved knowledge of the available guidance could help both federal and private-sector decisionmakers better coordinate their efforts to protect critical cyber-reliant assets. (77 pages)

Continued Attention Needed to Protect Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure

GAO

July 26, 2011

A number of significant challenges remain to enhancing the security of cyber-reliant critical infrastructures, such as (1) implementing actions recommended by the President's cybersecurity policy review; (2) updating the national strategy for securing the information and communications infrastructure; (3) reassessing DHS's planning approach to critical infrastructure protection; (4) strengthening public-private partnerships, particularly for information sharing; (5) enhancing the national capability for cyber warning and analysis; (6) addressing global aspects of cybersecurity and governance; and (7) securing the modernized electricity grid. (20 pages)

Cybersecurity: Continued Attention Needed to Protect Our Nation's Critical Infrastructure and Federal Information Systems

GAO

March 16, 2011

According to GAO, executive branch agencies have made progress instituting several government-wide initiatives aimed at bolstering aspects of federal cybersecurity, such as reducing the number of federal access points to the Internet, establishing security configurations for desktop computers, and enhancing situational awareness of cyber events. Despite these efforts, the federal government continues to face significant challenges in protecting the nation's cyber-reliant critical infrastructure and federal information systems. (17 pages)

Partnership for Cybersecurity Innovation

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

December 6, 2010

The Obama Administration released a memorandum of understanding signed by DOC's NIST, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS/S&T), and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC). The goal of the agreement is to speed up the commercialization of cybersecurity research innovations that support the nation's critical infrastructures. (4 pages)

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Key Private and Public Cyber Expectations Need to Be Consistently Addressed

GAO

July 15, 2010

Private-sector stakeholders reported that they expect their federal partners to provide usable, timely, and actionable cyber threat information and alerts; access to sensitive or classified information; a secure mechanism for sharing information; security clearances; and a single centralized government cybersecurity organization to coordinate government efforts. However, according to private-sector stakeholders, federal partners are not consistently meeting these expectations. (38 pages)

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports.

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Table 2. Energy Sector

(includes electrical grid, smart grid, SCADA and industrial control systems)

Title

Source

Date

Notes

Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems Program (CEDS)

Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

Continuously Updated

The program assists the energy-sector asset owners (electric, oil, and gas) by developing cybersecurity solutions for energy delivery systems through integrated planning and a focused research and development effort. CEDS co-funds projects with industry partners to make advances in cybersecurity capabilities for energy delivery systems.

Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2)

DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

Continuously Updated

The model was developed by the DOE and industry as a cybersecurity control evaluation and improvement management tool for energy sector firms. It tells adherents how to assess and grade adoption of cybersecurity practices.

Cyber Infrastructure Protection

Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL)

Continuously Updated

HSDL's collection of featured topics related to homeland security topics. Each featured topic is grouped by audits & investigations, CRS reports, DOD reports, executive branch, exercise reports, hearings, international perspective, research & analysis, these, and websites.

GridEx

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) 

Continuously Updated

The objectives of the NERC Grid Security Exercise (GridEx) series are to use simulated scenarios (with no real-world effects) to exercise the current readiness of participating electricity subsector entities to respond to cyber or physical security incidents and provide input for security program improvements to the bulk power system. GridEx is a biennial international grid security exercise that uses best practices and other contributions from DHS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and NIST.

Revised Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

January 26, 2016

The proposed reliability standards address the cybersecurity of the bulk electric system and improve upon the current commission-approved CIP Reliability Standards. In addition, the commission directs NERC to develop certain modifications to improve the CIP Reliability Standards. (15 pages)

Revised Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards; Supplemental Notice of Agenda and Discussion Topics for Staff Technical Conference

FERC

December 30, 2015

In a July 22, 2015 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR), FERC proposed to direct the NERC to develop new or modified CIP Reliability Standards to provide security controls relating to supply chain risk management for industrial control system hardware, software, and services. The commission sought and received comments on this proposal. (3 pages)

Transmission Operations Reliability Standards and Interconnection Reliability Operations and Coordination Reliability Standards

FERC

November 27, 2015

FERC approves revisions to the standards developed by NERC, which the commission has certified as the Electric Reliability Organization responsible for developing and enforcing mandatory reliability standards. The commission also directs NERC to make three modifications to the standards within 18 months of the effective date of the final rule. (15 pages)

Cyber Security Event Notifications

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

November 2, 2015

This rule establishes new cybersecurity event notification requirements for nuclear power reactor licensees that contribute to the NRC's analysis of the reliability and effectiveness of licensees' cybersecurity programs and plays an important role in the continuing effort to provide high assurance that digital computer and communication systems and networks are adequately protected against cyberattacks, up to and including the design basis threat. (14 pages)

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Cybersecurity of the Nation's Electricity Grid Requires Continued Attention

GAO

October 21, 2015

In a 2011 report, GAO recommended that (1) NIST improve its cybersecurity standards, (2) FERC assess whether challenges identified by GAO should be addressed in ongoing cybersecurity efforts, and (3) FERC coordinate with other regulators to identify strategies for monitoring compliance with voluntary standards. The agencies agreed with the recommendations, but FERC has not taken steps to monitor compliance with voluntary standards. (18 pages)

Energy Department Invests Over $34 Million to Improve Protection of the Nation's Energy Infrastructure

DOE

October 9, 2015

DOE announced more than $34 million for two projects to improve the protection of the U.S. electric grid and oil and natural gas infrastructure from cyber threats. The University of Arkansas and the University of Illinois will assemble teams with expertise in power systems engineering and the computer science of cybersecurity to develop new technologies to help protect energy delivery systems that control the physical processes in delivering continuous and reliable power.

Cyber Security at Civil Nuclear Facilities: Understanding the Risk

Chatham House

October 2015

The risk of a serious cyberattack on civil nuclear infrastructure is growing, as facilities become ever more reliant on digital systems and make increasing use of commercial off-the-shelf software. The trend to digitization, when combined with a lack of executive-level awareness of the risks involved, means that nuclear plant personnel may not realize the full extent of their cyber vulnerability and are thus inadequately prepared to deal with potential attacks. (53 pages)

Identity and Access Management for Electric Utilities [DRAFT]

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

August 24, 2015

To help the energy sector address the cybersecurity challenge, security engineers at the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) developed an example solution that utilities can use to more securely and efficiently manage access to the networked devices and facilities upon which power generation, transmission, and distribution depend.

FACT SHEET: The 2015 G-7 Summit at Schloss Elmau, Germany

White House

June 8, 2015

Member nations of the Group of Seven (G-7) announced a new cooperative effort to guard the energy sector from hackers, cyber spies, and other online attackers. The seven industrialized democracies will exchange information on methods for identifying cyber threats and vulnerabilities within the energy sector, sharing best practices, and making "investment in cybersecurity capabilities and capacity building." See "Launching New Work on Energy Sector Cybersecurity" on the fact sheet.

Energy Sector Cybersecurity Framework Implementation Guidance: Draft For Public Comment and Comment Submission Form

DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

September 12, 2014

Energy companies need not make a choice between the NIST cybersecurity framework and the DOE's Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (C2M2). The NIST framework tells organizations to grade themselves on a four-tier scale based on their overall cybersecurity program sophistication. C2M2 tells users to assess cybersecurity control implementation across 10 domains of cybersecurity practices, such as situational awareness, according to their specific "maturity indicator level."

Guidelines for Smart Grid Cybersecurity, Smart Grid Cybersecurity Strategy, Architecture, and High-Level Requirements (3 volumes)

NIST

September 2014

The three-volume report presents an analytical framework that organizations can use to develop effective cybersecurity strategies tailored to their particular combinations of smart grid-related characteristics, risks, and vulnerabilities. Organizations in the diverse community of smart-grid stakeholders—from utilities to energy management services providers to electric vehicles and charging stations manufacturers—can use the report's methods and supporting information as guidance to assess risk and identify and apply appropriate security requirements. The approach recognizes that the electric grid is changing from a relatively closed system to a complex, highly interconnected environment. Each organization's cybersecurity requirements should evolve as technology advances and as threats to grid security inevitably multiply and diversify. (668 pages)

Securing the U.S. Electrical Grid: Understanding the Threats to the Most Critical of Critical Infrastructure, While Securing a Changing Grid

Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress

July 2014

Although the electrical grid modernization entails significant security challenges, it provides an opportunity to incorporate security—both in the hardware and software controlling these systems and in the business models, regulatory systems, financial incentives, and insurance structures that govern the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power. The report seeks to identify the immediate action that can be taken by the White House, Congress, and the private sector to mitigate current threats to the electrical grid. (180 pages)

Implementation Status of the Enhanced Cybersecurity Services Program

DHS Office of Inspector General

July 2014

The National Protection Programs Directorate (NPPD) has made progress in expanding the Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program. As of May 2014, 40 critical infrastructure entities were participating in and 22 companies had signed memorandums of agreement to join the program. Although NPPD has made progress, the Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program has been slow to expand because of limited outreach and resources. In addition, cyber threat information sharing relies on NPPD's manual reviews and analysis, which has led to inconsistent cyber threat indicator quality. (23 pages)

Cybersecurity and Connecticut's Public Utilities

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

April 14, 2014

The document is Connecticut's cybersecurity utilities plan to help strengthen defense against possible future cyber threats. Connecticut is the first state to present a cybersecurity strategy in partnership with the utilities sector and will share it with other states working on similar plans. Among other findings, the report recommends that Connecticut commence self-regulated cyber audits and reports and move toward a third-party audit and assessment system. It also makes recommendations regarding local and regional regulatory roles, emergency drills and training, emergency management officials' coordination, and confidential information handling. (31 pages)

Cybersecurity Procurement Language for Energy Delivery Systems

DOE Energy Sector Control Systems Working Group

April 2014

The guidance suggests procurement strategies and contract language to help U.S. energy companies and technology suppliers build in cybersecurity protections during product design and manufacturing. It was "developed through a public-private working group including federal agencies and private industry leaders." (46 pages)

Internet of things: the influence of M2M data on the energy industry

GigaOm Research

March 4, 2014

The report examines the drivers of machine-2-machine (M2M)-data exploitation in the smart-grid sector and the oil and gas sector, as well as the risks and opportunities for buyers and suppliers of the related core technologies and services. (21 pages)

Cybersecurity and the North American Electric Grid: New Policy Approaches to Address an Evolving Threat

Bipartisan Policy Center

February 28, 2014

The Bipartisan Policy Center's initiative identifies urgent priorities, including strengthening existing protections, enhancing coordination at all levels, and accelerating the development of robust protocols for response and recovery in the event of a successful attack. The initiative developed recommendations in four policy areas: (1) standards and best practices, (2) information sharing, (3) response to a cyberattack, and (4) paying for cybersecurity. The recommendations target Congress, federal government agencies, state public utility commissions (PUCs), and industry.

Electricity Subsector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model (ES-C2M2) (Case Study)

Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute

January 23, 2014

ES-C2M2 is a White House initiative, led by DOE in partnership with DHS and representatives of electricity subsector asset owners and operators, to manage dynamic threats to the electric grid. Its objectives are to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, enable consistent evaluation and benchmarking of cybersecurity capabilities, and share knowledge and best practices. (39 pages)

The Department of Energy's July 2013 Cyber Security Breach

DOE Inspector General

December 2013

According to DOE's inspector general, nearly eight times as many current and former Energy Department staff were affected by a July computer hack than was previously estimated. In August, DOE estimated that the hack affected roughly 14,000 current and former staff, leaking personally identifiable information, such as Social Security numbers, birthdays, and banking information. But the breach apparently affected more than 104,000 people. (28 pages)

Electric Grid Vulnerability: Industry Responses Reveal Security Gaps

Representative Edward Markey and Representative Henry Waxman 

May 21, 2013

The report found that less than one-quarter of investor-owned utilities and less than one-half of municipally and cooperatively owned utilities followed through with voluntary standards issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after the Stuxnet worm struck in 2010. (35 pages)

Version 5 Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

FERC

April 24, 2013

FERC proposes to approve NERC's Version 5 Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards, CIP-002-5 through CIP-011-1. The proposed reliability standards, which pertain to the cybersecurity of the bulk electric system, are an improvement over the current commission-approved CIP Reliability Standards because they adopt new cybersecurity controls and extend the scope of the systems that are protected by the existing standards. (18 pages)

Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System

National Academies of Science (NAS)

November 2012

Focuses on measures that could make the electric power delivery system less vulnerable to attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable when delivery of conventional electric power has been disrupted. (146 pages)

Canvassing the Targeting of Energy Infrastructure: The Energy Infrastructure Attack Database

Journal of Energy Security 

August 7, 2012

The Energy Infrastructure Attack Database (EIAD) is a noncommercial dataset that structures information on reported (criminal and political) attacks to the energy infrastructure worldwide by nonstate actors since 1980.The objective of EIAD was to develop a product that could be broadly accessible and connect to existing available resources. (8 pages)

Smart Grid Cybersecurity: Job Performance Model Report

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

August 2012

The report outlines the work done to develop a smart-grid cybersecurity certification. The primary purpose was to develop a measurement model that may be used to guide curriculum, assessments, and other development of technical and operational smart-Grid cybersecurity knowledge, skills, and abilities. (178 pages)

Smart-Grid Security

Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security, George Mason School of Law

August 2012

Highlights the significance of and the challenges with securing the smart grid. (26 pages)

Cybersecurity: Challenges in Securing the Electricity Grid

GAO

July 17, 2012

In a prior report, GAO made recommendations related to electricity grid modernization efforts, including developing an approach to monitor compliance with voluntary standards. These recommendations have not yet been implemented. (25 pages)

Energy Department Develops Tool with Industry to Help Utilities Strengthen Their Cybersecurity Capabilities

DOE

June 28, 2012

The Cybersecurity Self-Evaluation Tool uses best practices developed for the Electricity Subsector Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model Initiative, which involved a series of workshops with the private sector to draft a maturity model that can be used throughout the electric sector to better protect the grid.

Cybersecurity Risk Management Process (Electricity Subsector)

DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

May 2012

The guideline describes a risk-management process targeted to the specific needs of electricity-sector organizations. Its objective was to build upon existing guidance and requirements to develop a flexible risk-management process tuned to the diverse missions, equipment, and business needs of the electric power industry. (96 pages)

Cybersecurity: Challenges to Securing the Modernized Electricity Grid

GAO

February 28, 2012

As GAO reported in January 2011, securing smart grid systems and networks present a number of key challenges that require attention by government and industry. GAO made several recommendations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission aimed at addressing these challenges. The commission agreed with these recommendations and described steps it is taking to implement them. (19 pages)

ICT Applications for the Smart Grid: Opportunities and Policy Implications

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

January 10, 2012

The report discusses "smart" applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for more sustainable energy production, management, and consumption. It outlines policy implications for government ministries dealing with telecommunications regulation, ICT sector and innovation promotion, and consumer and competition issues. (44 pages)

The Future of the Electric Grid

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

December 5, 2011

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the status of the electric grid, the challenges and opportunities it faces, and major recommendations. To facilitate selective reading, detailed descriptions of the contents of each section in Chapters 2-9 are provided in each chapter's introduction, and recommendations are collected and briefly discussed in each chapter's final section. (See Chapter 9, "Data Communications, Cybersecurity, and Information Privacy," pages 208-234). (39 pages)

Electricity Grid Modernization: Progress Being Made on Cybersecurity Guidelines, but Key Challenges Remain to be Addressed

GAO

January 12, 2011

GAO recommended that "to reduce the risk that NIST's smart grid cybersecurity guidelines will not be as effective as intended, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Director of NIST to finalize the agency's plan for updating and maintaining the cybersecurity guidelines, including ensuring it incorporates (1) missing key elements identified in this report, and (2) specific milestones for when efforts are to be completed. Also, as a part of finalizing the plan, the Secretary of Commerce should direct the Director of NIST to assess whether any cybersecurity challenges identified in this report should be addressed in the guidelines." (50 pages)

NIST Finalizes Initial Set of Smart Grid Cyber Security Guidelines

NIST

September 2, 2010

NIST released a three-volume set of recommendations relevant to securing the smart grid. The guidelines address a variety of topics, including high-level security requirements, a risk assessment framework, an evaluation of residential privacy issues, and recommendations for protecting the evolving grid from attacks, malicious code, cascading errors, and other threats.

NSTB Assessments Summary Report: Common Industrial Control System Cyber Security Weaknesses

DOE, Idaho National Laboratory

May 2010

The report by the National Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA) Test Bed (NSTB) program notes that computer networks controlling the electric grid are plagued with security holes that could allow intruders to redirect power delivery and steal data. Many of the security vulnerabilities are strikingly basic and fixable problems. (123 pages)

21 Steps to Improve Cyber Security of SCADA Networks

DOE, Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration

January 1, 2007

The President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board and DOE have developed steps to help any organization improve the security of its SCADA networks. The steps are divided into two categories: (1) specific actions to improve implementation and (2) actions to establish essential underlying management processes and policies. (10 pages)

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports.

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Table 3. Financial Industry Sector

(includes banks, insurance, SEC guidance, FFIEC, FDIC, FSOC, IRS)

Title

Source

Date

Notes

Appendix J: Strengthening the Resilience of Outsourced Technology Services

Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC)

Continuously Updated

The increasing sophistication and volume of cyber threats and their ability to disrupt operations or corrupt data can affect the business resilience of financial institutions and technology service providers (TSPs). Financial institutions and their TSPs need to incorporate the potential impact of a cyber event into their business continuity planning (BCP) process and ensure appropriate resilience capabilities are in place. The changing cyber threat landscape may include risks that must be managed to achieve resilience.

ICBA Data Breach Toolkit

Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)

Continuously Updated

ICBA and Visa have teamed up to bring a special communications toolkit to community banks. The comprehensive communications guide gives community banks the means to communicate with card customers and the media within 24 hours of a data compromise. The toolkit includes a brochure on communications best practices following a data breach and customizable template materials, such as cardholder letters, statement inserts, FAQs, and media statements.

Cyber-Related Sanctions Regulations

Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

December 31, 2015

OFAC is issuing regulations to implement Executive Order 13694, "Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities," April 1, 2015. OFAC intends to supplement part 578 with a more comprehensive set of regulations, which may include additional interpretive and definitional guidance and additional general licenses and statements of licensing policy. (8 pages)

Transfer Agent Regulations

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

December 31, 2015

See Part E. Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Related Issues. "Cybersecurity risks faced by the capital markets and Commission-regulated entities are of particular concern to the Commission. Given the highly-dependent, interconnected nature of the U.S. capital markets and financial infrastructure, including the National C&S System, as well as the prevalence of electronic book-entry securities holdings in that system, the Commission has a significant interest in addressing the substantial risks of market disruptions and investor harm posed by cybersecurity issues. Transfer agents are subject to many of the same risks of data system breach or failure that other market participants face." (58 pages)

System Safeguards Testing Requirements

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

December 23, 2015

The CFTC is amending its system safeguards rules for designated contract markets, swap execution facilities, and swap data repositories by (1) enhancing and clarifying existing provisions related to system safeguards risk analysis, oversight, and cybersecurity testing and (2) adding new provisions concerning certain aspects of cybersecurity testing. (53 pages)

FFIEC Releases Statement on Cyber Attacks Involving Extortion

FFIEC

November 3, 2015

FFIEC released a statement describing steps financial institutions can take to respond to cyberattacks involving extortion. The statement highlights resources institutions can use to mitigate the risks posed by such attacks. (3 pages)

Cybersecurity: Bank and Other Depository Regulators Need Better Data Analytics and Depository Institutions Want More Usable Threat Information

GAO

July 2, 2015

The report's objectives include examining (1) how regulators oversee institutions' efforts to mitigate cyber threats, and (2) sources of and efforts by agencies to share cyber threat information. GAO collected and analyzed cyber security studies from private-sector sources and reviewed materials from selected IT examinations (based on regulator, institution size, and risk level). GAO also held three forums with more than 50 members of financial institution industry associations who provided opinions on cyber threat information sharing. GAO recommended that Congress consider granting NCUA authority to examine third-party technology service providers for credit unions and regulators explore ways to better collect and analyze data on trends in IT examination findings across institutions. (73 pages)

2015 Annual Report

Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC)

April 25, 2015

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, FSOC must report annually to Congress on a range of issues, including significant financial market and regulatory developments and potential emerging threats to the financial stability of the United States. FSOC's recommendations address heightened risk management and supervisory attention to operational risks, including cybersecurity and infrastructure. (150 pages)

National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence Access Rights Management Use Case for the Financial Services Sector

NIST

April 3, 2015

NIST is canvassing for technologies the financial-services sector could use to unify disparate computer logon systems. As part of the agency's National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence ongoing work, the goal is for the center to review technologies that can create a unified "comprehensive identity and access management system" that will streamline the task of multiple applications and automatically monitor activity. (3 pages)

Cybersecurity Guidance

SEC

April 2015

The SEC's Division of Investment Management guidance states that an investment fund that cannot repay shareholders because of a cyberattack risks violating federal securities laws. The guidance recommends that advisors and funds conduct periodic assessments, have a cybersecurity strategy, and have written policies and procedures to mitigate cyberattacks. (6 pages)

Cybersecurity Examination Sweep Summary

SEC

February 3, 2015

The SEC published findings from an assessment of more than 100 broker-dealers and investment advisers initiated in April 2014. More than 90% of broker firms and 80% of advisers had written information security policies, with most of brokerages and just over half of advisers conducting audits. But less than one-third of brokerages and one-fifth of advisers include written policies about responsibilities for client loss in the event of a cyber incident. In addition, although 84% of broker-dealers applied risk assessments to their vendors, only 32% of advisers did. (7 pages)

Annual Assessment of the Internal Revenue Service's Information Technology Program

Department of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration

September 30, 2014

The report identifies a list of security weaknesses in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS's) systems that support the Affordable Care Act. The security control weaknesses could affect the IRS's ability to reliably process insurers' and drug companies' reports electronically. (45 pages)

Third-Party Security Assurance Information Supplement

Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council

August 7, 2014

The PCI Security Standards Council has created guidelines meant to help banks and merchants mitigate the risks posed by third parties that process credit card payment information. The guidance includes practical recommendations on how to conduct due diligence and risk assessment when engaging third-party service providers to help organizations understand the services provided.

OCIE Cybersecurity Initiative

SEC

April 15, 2014

The SEC's Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE) will be conducting examinations of more than 50 registered broker-dealers and registered investment advisers, focusing on the entity's cybersecurity governance; identification and assessment of cybersecurity risks; protection of networks and information; risks associated with remote customer access and funds transfer requests; risks associated with vendors and other third parties; detection of unauthorized activity; and experiences with certain cybersecurity threats. (9 pages)

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Withdrawal of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Multi-Class Spread Orders

SEC

February 24, 2014

The SEC solicited comments on proposed amendments to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's (FINRA's) arbitration codes to ensure that parties' private information, such as Social Security and financial account numbers, are redacted to include only the last four digits of the number. The proposed amendments would apply only to documents filed with FINRA. They would not apply to documents that parties exchange with each other or submit to the arbitrators at a hearing on the merits. (1 page)

Cybersecurity Exercise: Quantum Dawn 2

Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)

October 21, 2013

Quantum Dawn 2 is a cybersecurity exercise to test incident response, resolution, and coordination processes for the financial services sector and the individual member firms to a street-wide cyberattack.

FFIEC Forms Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Working Group

FFIEC

June 6, 2013

FFIEC formed a working group to further promote coordination across federal and state banking regulatory agencies on critical infrastructure and cybersecurity issues. (2 pages)

Regulation Systems Compliance and Integrity

SEC

March 25, 2013

The SEC examined the exposure of stock exchanges, brokerages, and other Wall Street firms to cyberattacks. The proposed rule asked whether stock exchanges should be required to inform members about breaches of critical systems. More than half of exchanges surveyed globally in 2012 said they had experienced a cyberattack, and 67% of U.S. exchanges said hackers tried to penetrate their systems. (104 pages)

Cybersecurity: CF Disclosure Guidance: Topic No. 2

SEC

October 13, 2011

The guidance presents the views of the Division of Corporation Finance regarding "disclosure obligations relating to cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents." It is not a rule, regulation, or statement of the SEC, and the commission has neither approved nor disapproved its content.

Partnership for Cybersecurity Innovation

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

December 6, 2010

The Obama Administration released a memorandum of understanding signed by DOC's NIST, DHS's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS/S&T), and the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC). The goal of the agreement was to speed up the commercialization of cybersecurity research innovations that support the nation's critical infrastructures. (4 pages)

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Table 4. Health Sector

(includes Healthcare.gov, health insurance, Medicaid, medical devices)

Title

Source

Date

Notes

HHS Breach Portal: Breaches Affecting 500 or More Individuals

Health and Human Services (HHS)

Continuously Updated

As required by Section 13402(e)(4) of the HITECH Act (P.L. 111-5), the HHS Secretary must post a list of breaches of unsecured protected health information affecting 500 or more individuals. These breaches are now posted in a new, more accessible format that allows users to search and sort the posted breaches. Additionally, the new format includes brief summaries of breach cases that optical character recognition (OCR) has investigated and closed, as well as the names of private practice providers that have reported breaches of unsecured protected health information to the Secretary.

NCCoE Wireless Medical Infusion Pumps Use Case for the Health Care Sector

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

January 25, 2016

NIST invites organizations to provide products and technical expertise to support and demonstrate security platforms for the Wireless Medical Infusion Pumps use case for the health care sector. The notice is the initial step for the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) in collaborating with technology companies to address cybersecurity challenges identified under the Health Care Sector program. (3 pages)

Postmarket Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices: Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

January 22, 2016

The guidance clarifies FDA's postmarket recommendations and emphasizes that manufacturers should monitor, identify, and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exploits as part of their postmarket management of medical devices. For the majority of cases, actions taken by manufacturers to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exploits are considered "cybersecurity routine updates or patches," for which the FDA does not require advance notification or reporting under 21 C.F.R. 806. For a small subset of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exploits that may compromise the essential clinical performance of a device and present a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death, the FDA would require medical device manufacturers to notify the Agency. (25 pages)

2015 Protected Health Information Data Breach Report (PHIDBR)

Verizon

December 15, 2015

The study shed light on the problem of medical data loss—how it is disclosed, who is causing it, and what can be done to combat it. Reportedly, 90% of industries have experienced a PHI breach. Since 2009, half of the U.S. population has been affected by PHI breaches. (34 pages)

Fifth Annual Benchmark Study on Privacy and Security of Healthcare Data

Ponemon Institute

May 2015

Reportedly a rise in cyberattacks against doctors and hospitals is costing the U.S. health care system $6 billion a year as organized criminals who once targeted retailers and financial firms increasingly go after medical records. Criminal attacks are up 125% compared with replacing lost laptops as the leading threat five years ago. The study also found most organizations are unprepared to address new threats and lack adequate resources to protect patient data. (7 pages)

Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices

FDA

October 1, 2014

The guidance, first issued as a draft in June 2013, instructs manufactures to "develop a set of cybersecurity controls." It also instructs manufactures to consider following the core functions of the NIST cybersecurity framework, a model for cybersecurity activities: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. (9 pages)

Collaborative Approaches for Medical Device and Healthcare Cybersecurity; Public Workshop; Request for Comments

FDA

September 23, 2014

In October 2014, the FDA held a public workshop on collaborative approaches for medical device and health care cybersecurity. The FDA, in collaboration with other stakeholders within the HHS and DHS, seeks broad input from the Healthcare and Public Health (HPH) sector on medical device and health care cybersecurity. The workshop's vision was to catalyze collaboration among all HPH stakeholders. (3 pages)

Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cybersecurity in Medical Devices, Notice

(FDA

June 14, 2013

The guidance identifies cybersecurity issues that manufacturers should consider in preparing premarket submissions for medical devices to maintain information confidentiality, integrity, and availability. (1 page)

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports.

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Table 5. Telecommunications and Communications Sector

(includes wired, wireless, Internet service providers, GPS, undersea cables, public safety broadband network)

Title

Source

Date

Notes

The Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Continuously Updated

The CSRIC mission is to provide recommendations to the FCC to ensure optimal security and reliability of communications systems, including telecommunications, media, and public safety.

FirstNet's Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN)

FirstNet (National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA)

October 5, 2015

FirstNet is requesting feedback from stakeholders, including states, tribes, territories, public safety stakeholders, and market participants, on Appendix C-10 NPSBN Cyber Security that will inform the development of the cybersecurity portions of the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN). (3 pages)

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Best Practices (WG4): Cybersecurity Framework for the Communications Sector

FCC, CSRIC

March 18, 2015

The CSRIC is a federal advisory committee that provides recommendations to the FCC regarding best practices and actions the commission can take to help ensure security, reliability, and interoperability of communications systems and infrastructure. The CSRIC approved a report that identifies best practices, provides a variety of important tools and resources for communications companies of different sizes and types to manage cybersecurity risks, and recommends a path forward. (415 pages)

Security in the New Mobile Ecosystem

Ponemon Institute and Raytheon

August 2014

Mobile devices are quickly becoming an integral tool for the workforce, but the security practices and budgets in most organizations are not keeping pace with the growing number of devices that must be managed and kept secure. (Free registration required.) (30 pages)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Cybersecurity Risk Management Strategy for Alert Originators

Carnegie Mellon/Pittsburgh Software Institute

March 2014

The WEA service depends on computer systems and networks to convey potentially life-saving information to the public in a timely manner. However, like other cyber-enabled services, it is susceptible to risks that may enable attackers to disseminate unauthorized alerts or to delay, modify, or destroy valid alerts. Successful attacks may result in property destruction, financial loss, injury, or death and may damage WEA credibility to the extent that users ignore future alerts or disable alerting. The report describes a four-stage cybersecurity risk management (CSRM) strategy that alert originators can use throughout WEA adoption, operations, and sustainment, as well as a set of governance activities for developing a plan to execute the CSRM. (183 pages)

Mobile Security Reference Architecture

Federal CIO Council and DHS

May 23, 2013

The document guides agencies in the secure implementation of mobile solutions through their enterprise architectures. It provides in-depth reference architecture for mobile computing. (103 pages)

Telecommunications Networks: Addressing Potential Security Risks of Foreign-Manufactured Equipment

GAO

May 21, 2013

The federal government began efforts to address the security of commercial networks' supply chain. A variety of approaches to address the potential risks posed by foreign-manufactured equipment in commercial communications networks include those taken by foreign governments. Although these approaches are intended to improve supply chain security of communications networks, they may also create the potential for trade barriers, additional costs, and constraints on competition, which the federal government would have to take into account if it chose to pursue such approaches. (52 pages)

Comments on Incentives to Adopt Improved Cybersecurity Practices

National Institute Of Standards And Technology (NIST) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

April 29, 2013

DOC investigated ways to incentivize companies and organizations to improve their cybersecurity. To better understand what stakeholders—such as companies, trade associations, academics, and others—believe would best serve as incentives, the department released public comments to the notice of inquiry.

Open Trusted Technology Provider Standard (O-TTPS)™, Version 1.0: Mitigating Maliciously Tainted and Counterfeit Products

The Open Group

April 2013

Specifically intended to prevent maliciously tainted and counterfeit products from entering the supply chain, the first release of the O-TTPS codifies best practices across the entire commercial, off-the-shelf information and communication technology product life cycle, including the design, sourcing, building, fulfillment, distribution, sustainment, and disposal phases. The O-TTPS will enable organizations to implement best practice requirements and allow all providers, component suppliers, and integrators to obtain trusted technology provider status. (Registration required.) (44 pages)

FCC's Plan for Ensuring the Security of Telecommunications Networks

FCC

June 3, 2011

FCC Chairman Genachowski's response to a letter from Representative Anna Eshoo dated November 2, 2010, regarding concerns about the implications of foreign-controlled telecommunications infrastructure companies providing equipment to the U.S. market. (1 page)

Information Security: Federal Agencies Have Taken Steps to Secure Wireless Networks, but Further Actions Can Mitigate Risk

GAO

November 30, 2010

Existing government-wide guidelines and oversight efforts do not fully address agency implementation of leading wireless security practices. Until agencies take steps to better implement these leading practices and OMB takes steps to improve government-wide oversight wireless, networks will remain at an increased vulnerability to attack. (50 pages)

The Reliability of Global Undersea Communications Cable Infrastructure (The ROGUCCI Report)

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the EastWest Institute

May 26, 2010

The study submits 12 major recommendations to private-sector, government, and other stakeholders—especially the financial sector—for the purpose of improving the reliability, robustness, resilience, and security of the world's undersea communications cable infrastructure. (186 pages)

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports.

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Table 6. Transportation

(includes Coast Guard, air traffic control, ports and maritime, automobiles)

Title

Source

Date

Notes

Cybersecurity

Homeport, U.S. Coast Guard

Continuously Updated

Links to regulations, guidelines, advisories & alerts, and news pertaining to maritime cybersecurity.

Section 1201 Rulemaking, Proposed Exemptions of Vehicle Software

Department of Transportation (DOT) General Counsel

September 9, 2015

DOT "is concerned that there may be circumstances in which security researchers may not fully appreciate the potential safety ramifications" if their findings are released to the public, according to a DOT letter to federal Intellectual Property regulators, who are considering a proposal to allow the public to circumvent copyright protection measures attached to vehicle software. (3 pages)

United States Coast Guard Cyber Strategy

U.S. Coast Guard

June 16, 2015

Among the concrete objectives is development of formal guidance for commercial vessel and waterfront facility operators on evaluating cybersecurity vulnerabilities, which the Coast Guard began in January 2015, when it kicked off a public process that will result in issuance of a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular. The document details how cybersecurity will become an element of Maritime Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-295) enforcement. (44 pages)

Tracking & Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk

Sen. Edward Markey

February 11, 2015

Nearly all modern vehicles have some sort of wireless connection that could potentially be used by hackers to remotely access their critical systems. Companies' protections on those connections are "inconsistent and haphazard" across the industry. In addition to security weaknesses, the survey also found that many auto companies are collecting detailed location data through pre-installed technological systems in cars and often transmitting it insecurely. (14 pages)

Inquiry into Cyber Intrusions Affecting U.S. Transportation Command Contractors

Senate Armed Services Committee

September 17, 2014

Hackers associated with the Chinese government successfully penetrated the Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) contractors' computer systems 20 times in a single year. Chinese hackers tried to get into the systems 50 times. The congressional committee found that only two of the intrusions were detected. It also found that officials were unaware due in large part to unclear requirements and methods for contractors to report breaches and for government agencies to share information. (52 pages)

WIB Security Standard Released

International Instrument Users Association (WIB)

November 10, 2010

The Netherlands-based WIB, an international organization that represents global manufacturers in the industrial automation industry, announced the second version of the Process Control Domain Security Requirements for Vendors document—the first international standard that outlines a set of specific requirements focusing on cybersecurity best practices for industrial automation and control systems suppliers.

Source: Highlights compiled by CRS from the reports.

Note: Page counts are documents; other cited resources are webpages.

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Information Research Specialist ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])

Footnotes

1.

See P.L. 107-56, Sec. 1016(e). Homeland Security Presidential Directive Number 7 (HSPD-7), Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection, released December 17, 2003, went further to describe the level of impact the loss of an asset must have to warrant considering the asset as "critical." This included causing catastrophic health effects or mass casualties comparable to those from the use of weapons of mass destruction; impairing federal agencies' abilities to perform essential missions or ensure the public's health and safety; undermining state and local government capacities to maintain order and deliver minimum essential public services; damaging the private sector's capability to ensure the orderly functioning of the economy; having a negative effect on the economy through cascading disruption of other infrastructures; or undermining the public's morale and confidence in our national economic and political institutions. HSPD-7 has since been superseded by PDD-21.

2.

See Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, The White House, February 12, 2013 at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/presidential-policy-directive-critical-infrastructure-security-and-resil.