In an effort to strengthen cyber defense across US federal government agencies, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has introduced a new plan called the Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) Operational Cybersecurity Alignment (FOCAL) plan.

Under this initiative, over 100 Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies outside of defense will collaborate to align their collective operational defense capabilities, reducing their cyber-risk and enhancing overall cybersecurity.

The FOCAL plan focuses on five key areas of cybersecurity: asset management, vulnerability management, defensible architecture, cyber supply chain risk management, and incident detection and response.

Unified Approach

CISA emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to cybersecurity among FCEB agencies, recognizing the interconnected nature of federal government data and systems which are prime targets for cyber threats. By coordinating security measures and incident response on both individual agency and inter-agency levels, risks can be mitigated effectively.

The FOCAL plan aims to establish a cohesive and consistent baseline security posture across all FCEB agencies, addressing the evolving threat landscape and the complex digital ecosystem within federal agencies. While progress has been made in enhancing cybersecurity in recent years, there remains a need for greater coordination and consistency in security measures.

FOCAL provides a roadmap for federal agencies to improve their cybersecurity posture through both broad organizing concepts and tactical guidance. Emphasizing standardization and consistency in federal cyber defense, the plan sets the groundwork for enhanced cybersecurity across the public sector.

Although developed for the US public sector, CISA suggests that the FOCAL plan may serve as a beneficial model for other public sector entities and enterprises seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity coordination.

Discover more about CISA’s cyber defense initiatives: CISA Launches New Cyber Incident Reporting Rules for US Defense Contractors