The implementation of new cybersecurity measures by the US government has raised concerns about the capability of government agencies to effectively monitor and enforce these initiatives. Yugal Joshi, a partner at Everest Group, highlighted the challenge of ensuring that vendors are held accountable for their software’s security.
Joshi emphasized the lack of expertise within government agencies when it comes to understanding AI-led cybersecurity, which may hinder their ability to drive these initiatives forward. Furthermore, the outdated legacy platforms used by many government agencies may not be equipped to handle these innovations without significant financial investments.
The impact of these new cybersecurity requirements is also being felt by private vendors. The order mandates that vendors supplying software to federal agencies must adhere to strict secure development practices. This includes providing documentation to prove compliance, which will be evaluated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as part of its software attestation program.
These new requirements are aimed at addressing long-standing issues with insecure software within the government. By holding vendors accountable for adhering to secure development practices, the government hopes to improve overall cybersecurity and protect against potential cyber threats.
However, the implementation of these measures has sparked concerns about the ability of both government agencies and private vendors to meet these new requirements. With limited expertise and potentially costly upgrades needed for legacy systems, the road to full compliance with these cybersecurity measures may prove to be a challenging one for many stakeholders involved.
It remains to be seen how the US government will address these challenges and ensure that both government agencies and private vendors are able to effectively implement and adhere to these new cybersecurity measures. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the importance of robust cybersecurity practices and measures will only continue to grow in importance.