New Cybersecurity Agency in DHS

A new agency is on its way to being created – the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The new agency’s mission would be a federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security. As technology changes, the cyber threat landscape constantly evolves and infrastructure is continually under attack from digital and physical threats. 

CISA is essentially a reorganization of the agency, the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), and elevates the cyber-security mission within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), streamlining operations and giving the NPPD a name that better reflects what it actually does.

“On November 13, the United States House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass legislation creating the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  The CISA Act (H.R. 3359), which passed the Senate in October and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, would reorganize DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) into a new agency and prioritize its mission as the Federal leader for cyber and physical infrastructure security.

“Today’s vote is a significant step to stand up a federal government cybersecurity agency,” said Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen. “The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we need to ensure we’re properly positioned to defend America’s infrastructure from threats digital and physical.  It was time to reorganize and operationalize NPPD into the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “

Read more here: Congress Passes Legislation Standing Up Cybersecurity Agency in DHS