Executive Order 14028 · 2021-05-17

Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity

Orders Federal Agencies and Vendors to Strengthen Cybersecurity Nationwide

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Signed by Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Published 2021-05-17

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 cybersecuritysoftware supply chaincloud securityincident responsedata 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.

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