Cybersecurity resources

CISA Launches Online Cyber Defense Tools as Russia-Ukraine Tensions Grow

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released a new online catalog that contains free tools and services that would help critical infrastructure owners and operators in mitigating cyber threats. The new resource was established as tensions with Russia grow over the conflict in Ukraine.

The new resource repository is separated into different sections that address various aspects of possible cyberattacks. The tools are focused on reducing the likelihood of a cyber incident, steps to detect potential intrusion, organizational preparedness in case of attacks and resilience maximization.

Some of the tools included are antivirus programs, remote penetration tests and vulnerability scanning, FCW reported Tuesday.

CISA Director and 2022 Wash100 winner Jen Easterly said during an event hosted by the Aspen Institute that the United States’ critical infrastructure is part of a global cyber ecosystem, meaning that it should be protected at all costs because cyber threats are not bound by national borders.

The agency said there are no credible threats to the United States’ critical infrastructure yet, but it is possible that Russia could ramp up its destabilization campaign in a way that could affect other nations besides Ukraine.

The catalog follows a CISA advisory released in early 2022 about a series of cyberattacks that targeted public and private entities in Ukraine. The advisory and the new catalog contain steps that organizations can take to improve their cyber posture.

Both guides promote the use of multi-factor authentication and software patch applications.

The cybersecurity agency said it will work with its partners to grow the catalog and improve the available tools and services.