CISA Offers Arsenal of Cybersecurity Tools for Organisational Defence

US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency Unveils Catalogue of Free Resources to Strengthen Critical Infrastructure Security.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), established in 2018 under the Department of Homeland Security in the United States, has launched a comprehensive web catalog of free cybersecurity resources. Aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity risk management capabilities of companies overseeing critical infrastructure, the initiative provides a crucial toolkit to bolster their systems against evolving cyber threats.

Empowering Critical Infrastructure

CISA's Free Cybersecurity Services and Tools webpage serves as a valuable starting point for organisations looking to fortify their security posture. The initiative comes at a time when the heightened threat environment necessitates robust defences for both public and private entities. Jen Easterly, Director of CISA, emphasised the agency's commitment to aiding organisations that may be "target-rich and resource-poor," acknowledging the critical need for improved security.

Expanding Resources Over Time

The catalog presently includes an array of tools and services, and CISA anticipates its expansion as additional resources from various partners are incorporated. While the webpage outlines the application of neutral principles for inclusion, it also notes that CISA maintains sole and unreviewable discretion over the determination of items. The agency, however, does not attest to the suitability or effectiveness of the listed services and tools for specific use cases, maintaining a neutral stance on endorsements.

Strategic Cyber Defence Playbook

Aligned with its recent advisory on protecting against cyber threats, CISA's catalogue is structured to support key strategic goals outlined in its cyber defence playbook. The playbook emphasises reducing the likelihood of cyber incidents, detecting and responding swiftly to malicious activities, effective incident response, and maximising resilience through backups and threat modelling.

Organised Resource Sections

Each strategic goal in the playbook corresponds to a section in the CISA tools catalogue. For instance, the "Reducing the Likelihood of a Damaging Cyber Incident" section offers 72 listings that include CISA security testing resources, open-source tools like PGP, ad-blocking software, and Google's safe browsing toolset. The catalog provides a wealth of resources tailored to specific cybersecurity objectives.

Building Cyber Resilience

CISA's initiative builds upon the broader efforts of the Biden administration to bolster cybersecurity in the aftermath of significant cyber attacks on entities like SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange, and Colonial Pipeline. The agency's commitment to fostering a collective defence against cyber threats aligns with President Biden's call for ambitious measures to minimise future incidents, emphasising the pivotal role of cybersecurity investments.

As organisations navigate an evolving cyber landscape, CISA's arsenal of tools emerges as a crucial asset, empowering them to proactively defend against cyber threats and enhance overall cybersecurity resilience.

A message from our sponsors, The Ideas Distillery: 

If you would like to look at how to implement an ISO 27001 information security management system, then simply contact us.

Or, if you want to see what's involved in more detail, then get a completely free, no obligation, totally tailored ISO Gap Analysis for your business (only available to UK businesses).