Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity

2021-05-17Executive Order 14028
Signed by: Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Share:

Headline: Orders Federal Agencies and Vendors to Strengthen Cybersecurity Nationwide

What it does: Federal agencies must modernize and secure their networks, adopt zero-trust and cloud practices, require vendors to share threat data, and follow standardized incident response procedures.

Real World Impact:
  • Federal agencies must upgrade systems and adopt stronger security practices.
  • Cloud and IT vendors must share threat data and support investigations.
  • Software suppliers must provide a bill of materials and follow security standards.
Topics: government cybersecurity, software supply chain, cloud security, incident response, data protection

Summary

This order requires the federal government to urgently strengthen cybersecurity across its networks and systems. It directs agencies to modernize their IT, move to stronger cloud and 'zero trust' security models, adopt multi-factor authentication and encryption, and use a standard incident response playbook. It also requires cloud and IT service providers and software vendors to share threat information, improve software development practices, and provide Software Bills of Materials.

The measures affect federal workers, technology vendors, and software developers. The aim is to reduce cyberattacks, speed responses, and protect government and public data.

Ask about this order

Ask questions about this executive order and its implications.

What agencies are affected by this order?

How does this order change existing policy?

What are the practical implications of this order?

Related Executive Orders