Who / What
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a U.S. federal agency that protects the nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. It provides analysis, guidance, and response services to government, private industry, and the public.
Background & History
CISA was established in 2018 under the Department of Homeland Security by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agenda Act of 2018. The agency consolidated the former U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and the Bureau of Infrastructure, Safety, and Security (BISS). Since its inception, CISA has expanded its mandate to include coordinated national security and critical infrastructure resilience.
Why Notable
CISA plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s digital and physical infrastructure, encompassing sectors such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare. Its proactive threat intelligence sharing and incident response capabilities help mitigate cyber-attacks and infrastructure disruptions. The agency’s guidance on secure cyber practices has been adopted across federal agencies and private sector partners.
In the News
Recently, CISA has focused on countering supply-chain cyber risks and enhancing infrastructure resilience against ransomware attacks. The agency announced new directive updates for industrial control system security, emphasizing the importance of secure software supply chains. Its active role in responding to high-profile cyber incidents has made it a key point of reference in current cybersecurity discussions.
