Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative

Contents: Introduction; Background on Cyber Threats and Calls for Executive Action; Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative and Concerns Regarding Transparency and Effectiveness; Legal Authorities for Executive Branch Responses to Cyber Threats; Separation of Powers in National Security Matters; Congressional Constraints on Executive Action; Policy Considerations and Congressional Options; Conclusion.

In response to the ongoing threats to federal systems and operations posed by cyber attacks, Pres. Bush established the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI) in 2008. This initiative consists of a set of projects aimed at reducing vulnerabilities, protecting against intrusions, and anticipating future threats. This report determined: (1) what actions have been taken to develop interagency mechanisms to plan and coordinate CNCI activities; and (2) what challenges CNCI faces in achieving its objectives related to securing federal information systems. To do this, the report reviewed CNCI plans, policies, and other documentation and interviewed officials at OMB, DHS, and the ODNI, among other agencies. Charts and tables.

Federal agencies report increasing cyber-intrusions into government computer networks, perpetrated by a range of known and unknown actors. In response, the President, legislators, experts, and others have characterized cybersecurity as a pressing national security issue. In January 2008, the Bush Administration established the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (the CNCI) by a classified joint presidential directive. The CNCI establishes a multipronged approach the federal government is to take in identifying current and emerging cyber threats, shoring up current and future telecommunications and cyber vulnerabilities, and responding to or proactively addressing entities that wish to steal or manipulate protected data on secure federal systems. In response to the CNCI and other proposals, questions have emerged regarding: (1) the adequacy of existing legal authorities -- statutory or constitutional -- for responding to cyber threats; and (2) the appropriate roles for the executive and legislative branches in addressing cybersecurity. The new and emerging nature of cyber threats complicates these questions. Although existing statutory provisions might authorize some modest actions, inherent constitutional powers currently provide the most plausible legal basis for many potential executive responses to national security related cyber incidences. Given that cyber threats originate from various sources, it is difficult to determine whether actions to prevent cyber attacks fit within the traditional scope of executive power to conduct war and foreign affairs. Nonetheless, under the Supreme Court jurisprudence, it appears that the President is not prevented from taking action in the cybersecurity arena, at least until Congress takes further action. Regardless, Congress has a continuing oversight and appropriations role. In addition, potential government responses could be limited by individuals' constitutional rights or international laws of war. This report discusses the legal issues and addresses policy considerations related to the CNCI.

Increasing focus on current cyber threats to fed. info. technology systems, nonfederal critical info. infrastructure, and other nonfederal systems has led to numerous legislative cybersecurity proposals and exec. branch initiatives. In May 2009, the Obama Admin. declared that U.S. info. networks would be treated as a strategic national asset. Contents of this report: (1) Intro.; (2) Difficulties in Addressing Cybersecurity Issues: Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency; The Comprehensive Nat. Cybersecurity Initiative; Obama Admin. Cyberspace Policy Review; Common Themes of Recent Cybersecurity Initiatives; Representative Sampling of Preexisting Exec. Branch Programs and Initiatives; (3) Considerations and Options for Congress.

In response to the ongoing threats for federal systems and operations posed by cyber attacks, President Bush established the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative in 2008.

Drawing from common themes found in the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission for the 44th Presidency, and the proposed near-term action plan from the President's recent Cyberspace Policy Review, this report identifies priority areas in cybersecurity for policy consideration. The report then lists and synopsizes current legislation that has been developed to address various aspects of the cybersecurity problem. It then lists the current status of the legislation and compares legislation with existing executive branch initiatives. Finally, analysis of information contained in executive branch initiatives and congressional legislation is used to offer cybersecurity-related considerations for Congress.

Book 1: Cybersecurity Capability Maturity Model White Paper - Cybersecurity is a leading national security challenge facing this country today. An emerging topic of importance is how organizations track, assess, grow, and shape their workforce. Many organizations have turned to workforce planning as a way to understand their current cybersecurity human capital skills and abilities as well as potential infrastructure needs. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) evolved from the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), Initiative 8 - Expand Cyber Education, to develop a technologically-skilled and cyber-savvy workforce with the right knowledge and skills. Towards these ends, Component 3 of NICE is focused on the cybersecurity Workforce Structure - specifically talent management and the role of workforce planning in developing the national cybersecurity workforce. NICE has initiated discussions and issued guidance on workforce planning for cybersecurity best practices. In spring 2012, NICE published a white paper titled: Best Practices for Planning a Cybersecurity Workforce1, which introduces workforce planning methodologies for cybersecurity. This White Paper introduces a qualitative management tool, a Cybersecurity Workforce Planning Capability Maturity Model, to help organizations apply the best practice elements of workforce planning in analyzing their cybersecurity workforce requirements and needs. Contents * EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * THE CYBERSECURITY LANDSCAPE: NOW'S THE TIME TO PLAN * MAKING THE CASE: A NEED FOR CYBER WORKFORCE PLANNING CAPABILITY * The Practice of Workforce Planning * The Benefits of Workforce Planning * INTRODUCTION TO THE NICE CMM DEFINING WORKFORCE CMMS * Existing Models * Components of the NICE CMM * Criteria Areas * Maturity Levels * DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE NICE CMM Process and Analytics * Integrated Governance * Skilled Practitioners and Enabling Technology * ACHIEVING MATURITY * Differing Maturity Goals * Assessing Current Capability * Step One: Gather Data * Step Two: Analyze Data and Determine Current Maturity * Step Three: Progressing in Maturity * BENEFITS OF ACHIEVING CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE PLANNING MATURITY * CONCLUSION Book 2: Best Practices for Planning a Cybersecurity Workforce White Paper - The Nation's cybersecurity workforce is at the forefront of protecting critical infrastructure and computer networks from attack by foreign nations, criminal groups, hackers, and terrorist organizations. Organizations must have a clear understanding of their cybersecurity human capital skills and abilities as well as potential infrastructure needs to ensure protection against threats to information systems. Today, the cybersecurity community has evolved enough to define a National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework for understanding specialty areas of cybersecurity work and workforce needs. As a result, the field has reached a maturity level that enables organizations to inventory current capabilities. Next, as the nation seeks to build a skilled cybersecurity workforce, it will be necessary for organizations to mature further and begin forecasting future demand for the cybersecurity workforce. B2-A * INTRODUCTION * B2-B * BACKGROUND * B2-C * APPROACH * B2-D * CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENTS * B2-E * CONCLUSION

Increasing focus on current cyber threats to federal information technology systems, nonfederal critical information infrastructure, and other nonfederal systems has led to numerous legislative cybersecurity proposals and executive branch initiatives. The proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 and the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 both contain provisions that would affect programs and funding for current and future cybersecurity-related programs. In May 2009, the Obama Administration issued its 60-day review of cybersecurity policy, declaring that U.S. information networks would be treated as a strategic national asset. There is no single congressional committee or executive agency with primary responsibility over all aspects of cybersecurity; each entity involved pursues cybersecurity from a limited vantage point dictated by committee jurisdiction. Many different initiatives exist, but because of fragmentation of missions and responsibilities, "stove-piping," and a lack of mutual awareness between stakeholders, it is difficult to ascertain where there may be programmatic overlap or gaps in cybersecurity policy. Drawing from common themes found in the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission for the 44th Presidency, and the proposed near-term action plan from the President's recent Cyberspace Policy Review, this report identifies priority areas in cybersecurity for policy consideration. The report then lists and synopsizes current legislation that has been developed to address various aspects of the cybersecurity problem. It then lists the current status of the legislation and compares legislation with existing executive branch initiatives. Finally, analysis of information contained in executive branch initiatives and congressional legislation is used to offer cybersecurity-related considerations for Congress.