The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is inviting public feedback on the draft of its updated National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP), which aims to refine cybersecurity strategies to meet the challenges of today's complex threat environment.
This call for public input is part of CISA's efforts to create cohesive strategies for both government and private sector responses to cyber incidents, which have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated. CISA Director Jen Easterly stated, "This draft NCIRP Update leverages the lessons learned over the past several years to achieve a deeply unified effort between the government and the private sector." The public comment period will remain open until January 15, 2025, allowing stakeholders ample time to review and submit their insights.
Since its initial release back in 2016, the NCIRP has undergone significant transformations, reflecting the rapid evolution of cyber threats and the corresponding need for preparedness. The updated draft, available for review, highlights four key updates including improved mechanisms for non-federal stakeholders to participate in coordinated cyber incident responses, organized content aligned to operational lifecycles, updated agency roles, and a predictable timeline for future reviews of the NCIRP.
With the persistent evolution of cyber threats and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity incidents, CISA emphasizes the necessity of continual preparedness. The NCIRP serves as the strategic national framework under Presidential Policy Directive 41 (PPD-41), guiding collaborative efforts among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as the private sector and civil society.
To assist stakeholders and gather relevant insights, CISA has engaged with various organizations and experts to develop the updated plan. This initiative stems from the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, which underlines the urgent need to address cyber incidents effectively. "Continual preparedness is needed to coordinate effective responses to cyber incidents," emphasized CISA. The framework is not merely academic; it is constructed based on lessons learned from past incidents and contributions from the cybersecurity community.
A notable feature of the NCIRP draft focuses on two main phases of cyber incident response: Detection and Response. The Detection phase outlines how to monitor, analyze, and validate reported incidents, determining their significance. This phase includes active collaboration with service providers, cybersecurity experts, and owners of key infrastructure to assess the severity of incidents.
On the other hand, the Response phase encompasses the actions taken to contain, eradicate, and recover from incidents. This phase addresses law enforcement and intelligence efforts aimed at attributing incidents to potential perpetrators. CISA emphasizes the importance of clear coordination processes, which become even more significant as the nation navigates the ever-changing risks associated with cyber threats.
The draft NCIRP also recognizes the need for structured coordination mechanisms to effectively address cyber incidents. It identifies roles for federal entities as well as civil society and the private sector, aiming to establish clear pathways for collaboration.
For example, the Cyber Response Group and the Cyber Unified Coordination Group are defined as primary coordination structures within the NCIRP, responsible for both policy discussions and operational responses to cyber threats. Each cyber incident remains unique; hence the NCIRP is not intended to serve as a step-by-step guide but rather as a flexible framework fostering efficiency and effective collaboration.
Given the importance of stakeholder input, CISA urges private sector entities to familiarize themselves with the NCIRP to understand their potential roles and how they can effectively integrate these frameworks during incidents. The organized structure of the plan encourages clarity for stakeholders on coordinating frameworks and responses during significant incidents.
The agency is also committed to regularly enhancing and refining the NCIRP based on test exercises, insights from real-world incidents, and the feedback gathered during the public comment period. CISA has established procedures to capture lessons learned after cyber incidents to implement necessary changes and improve both strategic and tactical responses.
The successful updating of the NCIRP will assist the United States to effectively respond to significant cyber threats, fortifying its economic and national security. "An accessible and practical NCIRP is significant to leverage the expertise of both public and private sectors to confront serious incidents," Easterly concluded.
With the release of the draft NCIRP, the CISA opens the floor to the public for feedback, making it clear how important every stakeholder’s contribution is to shaping the future of the nation’s cybersecurity strategies and responses against increasing cyber threats.
