Replies and Critical analysis needed

With advances in technology, more American citizens are connecting their lives to the internet via mobile devices and computers.  These devices provide continues connection to work, notification for reminders and staying connected to family and friends by social media outlets.  Both federal and state government are also moving in the same direction, by providing information access via mobile application software available for download to the same devices individuals use, thus making their lives even more convenient.  This is why cybersecurity is a growing need as it provides protection to individuals and government agencies data.  Cybersecurity must now also protect critical infrastructures, as attacks targeting them is on the rise (Bennet, 2013).  Infrastructures that are critical to federal and state governments include chemical producing companies, communication mediums, various types of power generating structures, emergency systems, food and water producing sectors (Critical infrastructure sectors, 2015).  These are all vital components to sustain life and now need to be a priority in keeping them protected.  This is why my administration will put cybersecurity efforts at the forefront, to ensure we’re being proactive instead of reactive to malicious attacks.

            The current problem we have is that federal and state governments are not being active enough to protect and deter attacks targeting infrastructures.  Attackers have been performing reconnaissance tests on vital systems and even have succeeded in altering water chemical makeup and movement water in treatment facilities (Brasso, 2016).  These attacks will only rise and many protective frame works are weak due to aging and not becoming a priority quickly enough (Finkle, 2016).  More and more countries are now fighting a new front and my administration will ensure our state will not move as slowly as the federal government has to make cybersecurity a larger urgency.  We will properly equip our cyber division while working closely with companies running our vital infrastructures to guarantee their protection against any type of threat.

            Threats can come in various forms ranging from natural disasters to criminal acts based on monetary gain or acts of terrorism (Ferro, Henry, & MacLellan, 2010).  Threats from these organizations as well as government backed countries such as China, Russia and North Korea who have a much more extensive budget and incentive to penetrate our systems is growing on a daily basis (Gertz, 2016).  These type of threats can at least be prepared for and sometimes prevented in many circumstances, but the threats that are harder to prepare for, are the ones coming from the inside.  Employees are the biggest threat when it comes to cybersecurity and account for 60 percent of attacks on systems (Spark, 2014).  Many of those threats are accidental and are due to lack of training or awareness (Spark, 2014).  These unintentional leak account for 80 percent of attacks which means all can be prevented and fixed (Spark, 2014).  This is why my administration will also address the vulnerability caused by employees, by providing guidelines for continues training and awareness in identifying and preventing weaknesses that may arise from employees.  This will assure our systems are protected from the outside and inside threats, weather they’re intentional or accidental.

 

Bennett, C. (2016). Critical infrastructure cyberattacks rising, says US official. Retrieved from http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/265753-critical-infrastructure-cyberattacks-rising-says-us-official

Brasso, B. (2016). Cyber attacks against critical infrastructure are no longer just theories. Retrieved from https://www.fireeye.com/blog/executive-perspective/2016/04/cyber_attacks_agains.html

Ferro, C., Henry, D., & MacLellan, T. (2010). A governor’s guide to homeland security. Retrieved from http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1011GOVGUIDEHS.PDF

Finkle, J. (2016). U.S. sees jump in cyber attacks on critical manufacturers. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cybersecurity-infrastructure-idUSKCN0UT23U

Gertz, B. (2016). China continuing cyber attacks on U.S. networks. Retrieved from http://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-continuing-cyber-attacks-on-u-s-networks/

Spark, D. (2014). Your biggest threats are coming from inside. Retrieved from http://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/biggest-threats-coming-inside/

Critical infrastructure sectors. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors