Federal Agencies Bare Alliances to Combat Cyberthreats

Federal agencies can significantly improve their network security through cross-agency partnerships, GovCIO Media and Research noted from statements of officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Aviation Administration.  

Speaking in an ATARC webinar, the officials agreed that they can collaborate more often, share learnings and discuss ways to secure critical networks to avoid duplicate efforts with the issuance of new federal rules. The agencies are also partnering with the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency to establish government-wide security regulations and follow White House cybersecurity guidance, GovCIO said.

The network security partnership even extends to the development of a security and private framework to overcome requirement variations and facilitate better cooperation and interoperability, Kevin Dorsey, CMS senior information security adviser, said.

Tiina Rodrigue, the CFPB’s chief information security officer, also shares ideas with other agencies’ security teams, including hosting peers to demonstrate new security technology. Besides working with CISA, the bureau also consults the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Justice for additional guidance, Rodrigue said.

Their joint interest in the aviation industry prompted the FAA and the Department of Defense to form an interagency working group, according to Luci Holemans, FAA’s air traffic organization cybersecurity manager. Subgroups were also created in areas that are cybersecurity-specific, with the DOD’s large coverage of commercial aviation, she added.