Introduction
The recent guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) on critical infrastructure security is a vital development in the cybersecurity landscape. It offers a comprehensive framework for businesses to understand and mitigate the risks associated with modern cyber threats. This article explores the key points of the guidance and provides insights into how businesses can leverage it to enhance their cybersecurity strategy.
Key Points of the Guidance
1. Emphasis on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
The guidance dedicates significant attention to MFA, highlighting its central role in a successful cybersecurity program. It recommends the use of modern phishing-resistant MFA solutions like passkeys, security keys, and smart cards that leverage public/private key cryptography.
2. Managing Legacy Infrastructure
Balancing the management of legacy infrastructure while modernizing cybersecurity can be challenging. The guidance emphasizes strategic investment in solutions that meet current needs while bolstering future security posture.
3. Importance of Secure Authentication
Secure authentication methods are vital in protecting systems at the gates and granting a higher level of certainty when reviewing behaviors via logs. These methods also protect against common attacks that allow attackers to gain a foothold in networks.
Threats and Risks Analysis
1. Phishing Attacks
Traditional authentication methods are susceptible to phishing attacks. The guidance’s emphasis on phishing-resistant MFA solutions addresses this risk, providing a robust defense against one of the most common cyber threats.
2. Legacy System Vulnerabilities
Legacy systems often lack the security measures required to fend off modern cyber threats. The guidance’s focus on managing legacy infrastructure while modernizing cybersecurity offers a pathway to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
3. Supply Chain Risks
The interconnected nature of modern business means that supply chain risks are a growing concern. Investing in cybersecurity as early as possible in the supply chain is essential to safeguard data, systems, and overall security.
Architectural Breakdown
Here’s how some of the cybersecurity attributes are relevant to the CISA and NSA guidance on critical infrastructure security:
1. Confidentiality
- Relevance: The guidance emphasizes secure authentication methods and phishing-resistant MFA solutions, directly aligning with the need to maintain the confidentiality of information.
- Why: Protecting the confidentiality of data is paramount in critical infrastructure security. Implementing secure authentication ensures that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive information.
2. Integrity
- Relevance: The focus on managing legacy infrastructure while modernizing cybersecurity touches on the integrity of systems and data.
- Why: Ensuring the integrity of data and systems means that they are accurate and have not been tampered with. This is vital in a critical infrastructure context where data integrity can have significant real-world consequences.
3. Availability
- Relevance: The guidance’s emphasis on strategic investment in solutions that meet current needs while bolstering future security posture relates to the availability attribute.
- Why: Availability ensures that systems and data are accessible when needed. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures ensures that critical infrastructure remains available, even in the face of cyber threats.
4. Accountability
- Relevance: The recommendation to monitor and control access aligns with the accountability attribute of SABSA.
- Why: Accountability ensures that actions can be traced back to a responsible entity. Monitoring access helps in tracking who accessed what and when, providing a clear line of accountability.
5. Auditability
- Relevance: The guidance’s focus on secure authentication methods and monitoring access aligns with the auditability attribute.
- Why: Auditability ensures that actions and changes can be audited for compliance and security purposes. Implementing secure authentication and access control measures provides a clear trail for auditing.
6. Assurance
- Relevance: The overall guidance provides a framework that aligns with the assurance attribute of SABSA.
- Why: Assurance is about having confidence that the systems are secure and function as intended. The guidance from CISA and NSA provides a pathway for businesses to build assurance in their critical infrastructure security.
Control Recommendations
Based on the CISA and NSA guidance on critical infrastructure security, companies can consider the following specific cybersecurity tools, processes, or controls, and here’s how they align with the NIST CSF framework:
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Tools
- Why: Enhances authentication security, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Protect (PR) – Access Control (PR.AC): Ensures only authorized access to resources.
2. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)
- Why: Monitors network and system activities for malicious activities or security policy violations.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Detect (DE) – Anomalies and Events (DE.AE): Detects unauthorized activity.
3. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems
- Why: Aggregates and analyzes log data, providing real-time analysis of security alerts.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Detect (DE) – Security Continuous Monitoring (DE.CM): Monitors unauthorized personnel, processes, or connections.
4. Data Encryption Tools
- Why: Protects the confidentiality and integrity of data both in transit and at rest.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Protect (PR) – Data Security (PR.DS): Ensures data integrity and confidentiality.
5. Patch Management Processes
- Why: Keeps systems up to date and protected against known vulnerabilities.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Protect (PR) – Maintenance (PR.MA): Maintains and repairs system components.
6. Access Control and Monitoring Tools
- Why: Controls who can access resources and monitors access patterns for suspicious behavior.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Protect (PR) – Access Control (PR.AC): Manages access permissions and authorizations.
7. Supply Chain Risk Management Processes
- Why: Assesses and mitigates risks associated with third-party vendors and supply chain.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Identify (ID) – Risk Assessment (ID.RA): Identifies and prioritizes risks.
8. Incident Response Plan
- Why: Prepares and guides the organization in the event of a cybersecurity incident.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Respond (RS) – Response Planning (RS.RP): Ensures response processes are executed during or after an event.
9. Legacy System Modernization Strategies
- Why: Reduces risks associated with outdated systems that may lack modern security controls.
- NIST CSF Alignment: Protect (PR) – Protective Technology (PR.PT): Ensures the integrity and availability of data.
Conclusion
The CISA and NSA guidance on critical infrastructure security is a valuable resource for businesses looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By understanding the key points, analyzing the associated threats and risks, and implementing the recommendations provided, businesses can take significant steps towards safeguarding their critical infrastructure. The integration of modern cybersecurity practices, such as phishing-resistant MFA and strategic investment in security solutions, will not only protect against current threats but also position businesses for future security challenges.
