In the digital age, the federal government's cybersecurity infrastructure faces evolving threats that require a robust and comprehensive cyber defense strategy. The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) implementation of M-24-04 FISMA guidance is an important step forward in the ongoing fight against cyber vulnerabilities.
Additionally, the guidance emphasizes the importance of government agencies deploying integrated attack surface management strategies to strengthen the security of high-value assets (HVAs) in line with Zero Trust principles.
Central to OMB's guidance is recognizing the multidimensional nature of cyber threats to federal systems. From supply chain attacks to zero-day exploits and more, the threat landscape has evolved far beyond the containment capabilities of traditional perimeter-based defenses.
In response, OMB recognizes that threats exist both inside and outside traditional network boundaries and is mandating a shift toward modernizing federal systems and networks in alignment with Zero Trust principles. This paradigm shift requires a holistic approach that provides agency leaders with concrete strategies to manage the attack surface while protecting critical government data.
One of the prominent challenges identified in the FISMA guidance concerns the inventory and management of Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) devices. By the end of 2024, government agencies are expected to maintain real-time inventories of these devices that include a variety of specific attributes, from asset identification and classification to vendor information and security controls.
In this case, agency leaders should look to public-private partnerships to provide tools to detect and assess risks for IoT and OT devices in real-time. This strategy ensures compliance with OMB directives and strengthens federal agencies' overall cybersecurity posture.
The guidance also emphasizes the importance of continuous visibility into the external attack surface, allowing government agencies to submit a comprehensive list of internet-accessible systems to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). and promptly report any changes. Government agencies should look to integrated attack surface management strategies to address this requirement head-on. This allows agencies to maintain an up-to-date inventory of external assets and efficiently comply with CISA reporting requirements.
In addressing HVA, OMB advocates for rigorous assessment and prioritization of risks, adopting metrics and standards derived from previous mandates. Integrated attack surface management with the right tools provides an ideal mechanism for quantifying risk, prioritizing remediation efforts, and documenting risk mitigation across agencies, creating a risk-based approach to cybersecurity. Achieving OMB's vision of a comprehensive approach.
Additionally, the holistic risk-based approach to cybersecurity advocated in the M-24-04 guidance represents a significant shift from compliance-focused strategies to more dynamic risk management-oriented practices. This comprehensive vulnerability management and remediation framework aims to reduce cyber risk and establishes a new standard for cybersecurity asset management.
A new era of federal cyber resilience
In a region characterized by sophisticated cyber threats and attacks against the U.S. government, the security of federal systems is of paramount importance. OMB's latest FISMA requirements in Guidance M-24-04 provide a blueprint for federal leaders to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
By implementing a unified approach that includes Zero Trust principles, innovative IoT/OT inventory management, and strategic HVA management, government leaders can strengthen their network defenses against the wide range of domestic and international cyber threats they face.
As we move forward, it is clear that the path toward a secure federal cyber environment will be complex and difficult. But with an integrated attack surface management strategy at their disposal, federal leaders have powerful tactics to navigate the evolving cyber threat landscape.
By adopting the principles embedded in this strategy and OMB's latest guidance, agency leaders can ensure the integrity of federal systems and networks through cyber risk management best practices, not only now but for many years to come. You can keep your eyes on the future. .
Kunal Modasiya is Vice President of Product Management and Growth at Qualys.
