CISA, FBI, International Partners Issue Guidance to Strengthen Civil Society Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and international cybersecurity agencies have issued a joint publication called “Mitigating Cyber Threats with Limited Resources: Guidance for Civil Society” aimed at civil society organizations.

The comprehensive guide is designed to help high-risk communities bolster their defenses against cyberattacks, especially the ones orchestrated by state-sponsored actors, CISA said.

The guidance also emphasized the importance of secure by design practices among software manufacturers to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of vulnerable communities.

To mitigate cyber risks, the guide recommends measures such as implementing multi-factor authentication, exercising caution when sharing information on social media, prioritizing vendors committed to secure development practices and maintaining awareness of social engineering scams.

International partner agencies that helped shape the resource include the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the Estonian National Cyber Security Centre, the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity Japan, the National Cyber Security Centre – Finland and the United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre.

CISA Director Jen Easterly said the guide is intended to empower civil society organizations to understand and combat cyberthreats, especially given their essential role in upholding democratic and humanitarian values.