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U.S. Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security Release Preliminary Report on Promoting Action Against Botnets and Other Automated Threats
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a draft report to President Trump in response to the May 11, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.
“Cybersecurity is perhaps one of the most serious threats we face,” said Secretary Ross. “President Trump understands the necessity of strengthening our networks and this Administration is doing everything in its power to prevent bad actors from infiltrating our critical cyber infrastructure.”
The report, which was created with broad input from stakeholders and experts, summarizes the opportunities and challenges in reducing the botnet threat, and offers supporting actions to be taken by both the government and private sector in order to reduce the threat of automated cyber-attacks. The report lists five complementary goals that would improve the resilience of the ecosystem:
- Identify a clear pathway toward an adaptable, sustainable, and secure technology marketplace
- Promote innovation in the infrastructure for dynamic adaptation to evolving threats
- Promote innovation at the edge of the network to prevent, detect, and mitigate bad behavior
- Build coalitions between the security, infrastructure, and operational technology communities domestically and around the world
- Increase awareness and education across the ecosystem
“Botnets represent a system-wide threat that no single stakeholder, not even the federal government, can address alone,” said Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. “The report recommends a comprehensive way for the public and private sectors, as well as our international partners, to work together and strengthen our defenses.”