The US Department of Commerce has announced that US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves will lead a Cybersecurity Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan later this month. The trade mission aims to strengthen the commercial connections between the United States and these two Indo-Pacific nations in terms of protecting critical infrastructure and technology ecosystems from cyber threats. This initiative is part of the White House’s ongoing efforts to support a free and open tech market in democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The decision to host this Cybersecurity Trade Mission comes on the heels of a Trilateral Summit hosted by US President Joe Biden, which included President Yoon of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida of Japan. During this summit, the leaders discussed regional security cooperation, particularly in light of the threats posed by neighboring countries in the Pacific. This trade mission serves as a concrete step towards strengthening these cooperative efforts and enhancing cybersecurity measures in the region.
The mission will include fifteen US companies that will engage in various activities aimed at fostering cybersecurity partnerships and collaboration. By connecting with their counterparts in South Korea and Japan, these American companies will have the opportunity to share best practices, exchange ideas, and explore potential business opportunities. Additionally, the trade mission will facilitate discussions on cybersecurity policy and regulation, ensuring that both the United States and its Indo-Pacific partners are aligned in their approach to countering cyber threats.
Meanwhile, in another development related to cybersecurity, Michael Colin Casey has been confirmed as the new director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Casey, who previously served as the staff director for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, brings a wealth of national security expertise to his new role. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines expressed confidence in Casey’s abilities and highlighted his deep knowledge of the field.
With his appointment, Casey will be responsible for overseeing efforts to protect the United States from foreign threats and espionage. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center plays a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s sensitive information and critical infrastructure from cyber attacks and other security breaches. Casey’s confirmation comes at a time when cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, underscoring the importance of strong leadership in this domain.
In addition to these developments, the White House recently hosted its second open-source software summit, focusing on the security of such software. During the two-day event, discussions revolved around the need for stronger standards in inventorying product components to enhance vulnerability assessments. Companies were urged to expand their use of software bills of materials (SBOMs) as a means of conducting these assessments effectively.
The summit highlighted the progress made since the first open-source software summit held in early 2022, following the discovery of the Log4j bug. One such advancement is the development of digital software certificates by the Open Source Security Foundation to prevent the addition of malicious software to open-source programs. Attendees at the summit included government officials, technology companies, banks, and industry groups. The presence of key stakeholders underscores the collaborative approach required to address the security challenges associated with open-source software.
Acting National Cyber Director Kemba Walden, officials from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and representatives from Citigroup, Microsoft, and Google were among the participants. The Open Source Security Foundation played a crucial role in convening the summit. Its general manager, Omkhar Arasaratnam, emphasized the government’s commitment to lead by example, stating that it is not only setting expectations for others but also taking action within the federal government itself.
Overall, these three developments reflect the United States’ ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures and collaboration both domestically and abroad. The Cybersecurity Trade Mission to South Korea and Japan reinforces the importance of international cooperation in combatting cyber threats, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the appointment of Michael Colin Casey as the new director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting the country from foreign intelligence threats. Lastly, the second open-source software summit signals the ongoing focus on improving the security of open-source software, with stakeholders across sectors collaborating to develop stronger standards and practices.