Joe Biden Proposes $9bn Funding For US Agencies of Cyber Security
To enhance the work of cybersecurity agencies and their capabilities, to support the Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency (CISA), and bring up a vital upgrade to federal government security, Joe Biden (President-elect) has put-forward a funding plan of $9bn (i.e. 6.6bn Euros). This complete funding operation is a part of the American Rescue Plan that was revealed on 14 January 2021.
It is an overall plan (relief package) of $1.9tn to support and enhance cybersecurity and will also serve towards the relief of the COVID-19 crisis, as the US is one of the worst impacted countries, worldwide, by the COVID-19 pandemic (with the death count of almost 400,000). This plan has another aim to get rid of the effects caused by the SolarWinds Supply Chain Attack that took place in December 2020, is one of the largest cyberattacks believed to be operated by Moscow, responsible for infecting several cybersecurity agencies, tech companies, and federal government agencies, with an aim to steal confidential data including details about the COVID-19 vaccine.
With the help of this $9bn funding, a complete upgrade will be given to various government agencies ‘ cybersecurity tech devices and services, in addition to launching many cyber and IT security services shared by the GSA (General Services Administration) and the CISA. Also, Anne Neuberger has been mentioned by the Biden team as the cyber security’s deputy national security advisor and several other appointments have been made for the national cybersecurity.
The American Rescue Plan in the heading “Modernize federal information technology to protect against future cyber attacks” reads “In addition to the COVID-19 crisis, we also face a crisis when it comes to the nation’s cybersecurity.” Also stating “The recent cybersecurity breaches of federal government data systems underscore the importance and urgency of strengthening U.S. cybersecurity capabilities.” The plan further reads “President-elect Biden is calling on Congress to launch the most ambitious effort ever to modernize and secure federal IT and networks.” The plan consists of bullet points to categorize the funding over techs and services and regarding fields that are mentioned and initiated by saying “To remediate the SolarWinds breach and boost U.S. defenses, including of the COVID-19 vaccine process, President-elect Biden is calling on Congress to.”
Further, the bullet points explain the distribution of funds as “Expand and improve the Technology Modernization Fund – A $9 billion investment will help the U.S. launch major new IT and cybersecurity shared services at the Cyber Security and Information Security Agency (CISA) and the General Services Administration and complete modernization projects at federal 18 agencies. In addition, the president-elect is calling on Congress to change the fund’s reimbursement structure in order to fund more innovative and impactful projects.”
“Surge cybersecurity technology and engineering expert hiring – Providing the Information Technology Oversight and Reform fund with $200 million will allow for the rapid hiring of hundreds of experts to support the federal Chief Information Security Officer and U.S. Digital Service.”
“Build shared, secure services to drive transformational projects – Investing $300 million in no-year funding for Technology Transformation Services in the General Services Administration will drive secure IT projects forward without the need of reimbursement from agencies.”
“Improving security monitoring and incident response activities – An additional $690M for CISA will bolster cybersecurity across federal civilian networks, and support the piloting of new shared security and cloud computing services,” the plan ends.
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