The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Established in November 2018, it was created to centralize the federal government’s efforts to ensure the nation’s cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. Before becoming CISA, some of its functions were performed by the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) within DHS.

Here’s a brief overview of CISA and its primary responsibilities:

  1. Cybersecurity: One of the central roles of CISA is to strengthen cybersecurity across the U.S., particularly for federal agencies and critical infrastructure. This involves developing and disseminating cybersecurity tools, best practices, and guidelines.
  2. Critical Infrastructure Protection: CISA is tasked with ensuring the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure. This includes assets, systems, and networks that, if incapacitated, would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health, or safety.
  3. Information Sharing: CISA plays a key role in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating threat intelligence among federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector.
  4. Incident Response: When cybersecurity incidents or attacks on critical infrastructure occur, CISA provides expertise and support to help affected entities respond and recover.
  5. Risk Management: The agency helps identify and assess risks to critical infrastructure, guiding efforts to enhance their security and resilience.
  6. Stakeholder Engagement: CISA works closely with other federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector to coordinate cybersecurity and infrastructure protection efforts.
  7. Training and Exercises: CISA provides training programs and conducts exercises to improve cybersecurity capabilities and readiness at all levels of government and in the private sector.
  8. Emergency Communications: The agency ensures that first responders and government officials have secure and resilient communications during emergencies.
  9. Federal Protective Service: While primarily a cybersecurity and infrastructure agency, CISA also oversees the Federal Protective Service, which provides security and law enforcement services to federal facilities.

With the increasing threats in the cyber realm and the potential for cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, CISA’s role has become even more crucial in ensuring the nation’s security in the digital age. The agency plays a foundational role in shaping the national strategy for cybersecurity and supporting its implementation across sectors.