Streamlining Cybersecurity: DHS's Recommendations for Cyber Incident Reporting.
November 16, 2023
Privacy Plus+
This week, let’s consider a report issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in September, addressing recommendations aimed at harmonizing cyber incident reporting for critical infrastructure sectors, and appropriately titled “Harmonization of Cyber Incident Reporting to the Federal Government.” A link to the report follows:
Note that while the report itself is notable, we think that its appendix is what will really be helpful to our readers. Read on for more on that subject…
Understanding the DHS Recommendations: The DHS recommendations focus on simplifying and standardizing the reporting of cyber incidents. Key proposals include establishing clear definitions, timelines, and triggers for incidents that need reporting, creating a universal cyber incident reporting form for federal agencies, and examining the feasibility of a single reporting web portal. These measures are designed to reduce the burden on reporting entities while enhancing the federal government's ability to track and respond to cyber threats.
Striking a Balance: The recommendations aim to balance the need to gather critical information with the need to minimize additional burdens on entities already dealing with cyber incidents.
Towards Implementation and Beyond: These recommendations are expected to guide the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in its rulemaking process. The goal is to establish concrete cyber incident reporting requirements for critical infrastructure entities.
Our thoughts – Check out the Appendix: The report's comprehensive appendix is particularly noteworthy. It details over 50 actual and potential regulations across 22 different agencies (including the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), among others), offering an exhaustive overview of the existing regulatory landscape, including links to the current laws. This part of the report is crucial for understanding the complexities and overlaps in current cyber incident reporting requirements, thereby highlighting the need for harmonization. It also serves as a helpful resource in identifying applicable laws.
The DHS's report, with its in-depth appendix and actionable recommendations, marks a significant step towards a unified and effective cyber incident reporting framework. These recommendations are poised to significantly enhance national cybersecurity resilience by simplifying the reporting process and ensuring a more coherent approach across various sectors and agencies.
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Hosch & Morris, PLLC is a boutique law firm dedicated to data privacy and protection, cybersecurity, the Internet, and technology. Open the Future℠.